The Misanthrope

The Misanthrope is a play written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Moliere, in 1666. The play is a satire of French society in the 17th century and centers around the character of Alceste, a man who despises the hypocrisy and insincerity of the people around him. Despite his own flaws and contradictions, Alceste remains steadfast in his belief that honesty and authenticity are the most important qualities a person can possess.The play is set in the court of King Louis XIV and follows Alceste as he navigates the social and romantic complexities of court life. He is in love with a woman named Celimene, who is admired by many of the men at court. However, Alceste is disgusted by her flirtatious behavior and her tendency to gossip about others. He struggles to reconcile his love for her with his disdain for her behavior.Throughout the play, Alceste's worldview is challenged by the other characters, who are often more concerned with social status and appearances than with honesty and integrity. His friend Philinte, for example, encourages him to be more forgiving and understanding of others, while Celimene's suitors try to convince him to overlook her faults in order to win her hand.The Misanthrope is a witty and insightful commentary on the human condition, exploring themes of love, friendship, and the struggle to reconcile one's ideals with the realities of society. Moliere's clever wordplay and sharp satire make the play a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.Alceste. No. My heart loathes you now, and this refusal alone effects more than all the rest. As you are not disposed, in those sweet ties, to find all in all in me, as I would find all in all in you, begone, I refuse your offer, and this much-felt outrage frees me for ever from your unworthy toils.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.