Discussion Questions for "The Misanthrope"

Interpretive Questions

I. Is Molière's intent to expose the hypocrisy practiced in the social circles of his time and all times?

A. Are his characters created to fulfill that purpose? Do they each represent some human trait and therefore behave in stereotypical ways or do we sometimes get a glimpse of multidimensional characterization?

B. Does he present any of these characters as worthy of admiration?

C. If we all acted like the Alceste the Misanthrope, would we even have a society (p. 105, ten lines from bottom)?

D. Same question re: Philinte (p. 108, ten lines from top and p. 155, eight lines from top) or to any of the other characters.

II. Is this play funny and if so, why?

A. Is there a scene you find particularly comical?

III. Express in a few words Molière's views on love and courtship.

A. Do you think Alceste is capable of love? At the end does he give Célimène a test which she will probably fail? (Act V, Sc. 7 & 8)

B. Is Célimène totally shallow?

i. If so, why is Alceste in love with her when he strives to be so "authentic"?

C. Do Philante and Eliante, at least in part, stand for moderation and good sense? Is there a certain poetic justice when they are matched up at the end of the play?

Speculative Question

I. What possibilities would you develop if you were to write a sequel to this play?

For Textual Analysis

Act I, sc. i

Act II, sc. ii

Act V, sc. i

Castigat Ridendo Mores : "It Corrects our Manners with Laughter"

Our featured author this month is the great French comic playwright Molière (1622-1673), the stage name of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. On June 22nd we meet to discuss his Misanthrope.



Molière rose to fame under the patronage of Louis XIV. One often hears him spoken of in conjunction with the other two towering figures of the French stage of the era, Racine and Corneille. Of the three, however, Molière is the only one renowned for comedies.

Many of Molière's theatrical works, including The Misanthrope, are considered "comedies of manners" and set in Parisian salons. The Misanthrope follows Alceste as he tries to achieve the seemingly impossible task of both shunning all social pretense and winning the heart of Célimène.