The Misanthrope (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Moliere
- First Published: 1667
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Comedy of manners
- Time of Work: Seventeenth century
- Setting: Paris, France
- Genres: Drama, Comedy of manners
- Subjects: France or French people, Exile or expatriates, Friendship, Manners or customs, Poetry or poets, Genius, Paris, Honesty, Seventeenth century, Trails
- Locales: Paris, France
Characters Discussed
Alceste (ahl-SEHST), an outspoken, rigidly honest young man disgusted with society. Protesting against injustice, self-interest, deceit, and roguery, he wants honesty, truthfulness, and sincerity. He hates all men because they are wicked, mischievous, hypocritical, and generally so odious to him that he has no desire to appear rational in their eyes. He would cheerfully lose a law case for the fun of seeing what people are and to have the right to rail against the iniquity of human nature. In love with a young widow, Célimène, he is not blind to her...
[The entire page is 795 words long]
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