Through humor and satire, Molière's The Miser exposes the folly of avarice and celebrates the power of love and youthful rebellion. First performed in 1668, The Miser emerged during a period of rising materialism in France. The growing bourgeoisie, a new wealthy middle class, was increasingly focused on social status and conspicuous consumption. 

A keen social critic, Molière uses Harpagon, the miserly protagonist, to satirize this obsession with wealth. Harpagon's miserliness is not merely about practicality but a psychological disorder. His money becomes a symbol of security, power, and control. He hoards it away, refusing to spend even a pittance on his children or himself. For the miser, money mutates beyond its function as currency and becomes an object of warped affection.

Like many European playwrights of his era, Molière was heavily influenced by works from Antiquity. This play draws heavily on Plautus' Roman comedy Aulularia, adapting not only the core plot of a miser obsessed with a hidden pot of gold but also specific scenes and dialogue. However, Molière does not simply copy Plautus. He transplants the story to 17th-century France and infuses it with contemporary social commentary and wit. 

By adding new characters and the romantic subplot involving Cléante and Mariane, Molière creates a richer and more complex world. The influence of Plautus provides a solid foundation, but it is Molière's masterful execution that elevates The Miser into a timeless classic.

Molière employs a variety of literary devices to heighten the comedic effect and expose Harpagon's absurdity. Exaggeration plays a key role. Harpagon's miserliness is blown out of proportion to create funny and ridiculous situations. For instance, he suspects everyone, even his loyal cook and children, of plotting to steal his money. This paranoia fuels hilarious misunderstandings and mistaken intentions throughout the play.

Another key device is the use of dramatic irony. The audience is privy to Harpagon's inner thoughts and motivations, while the other characters remain largely unaware. This irony creates tension as the audience anticipates the inevitable chaos that will ensue from Harpagon's actions. For example, the audience knows that the supposed "stolen" money is safe with Cléante, while Harpagon frets and fumes.

The Miser is not simply a caricature of a selfish miser. The play also explores the societal pressures that contribute to Harpagon's behavior. Marriage in 17th-century France was often a business transaction, with social status and wealth playing a significant role. Harpagon's desire to marry a young woman without a dowry (even if he himself is quite old) reflects this social reality.

The play's narrative structure reinforces its comedic intent. The plot hinges on a series of misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and cleverly orchestrated schemes. This rapid-fire progression keeps the audience engaged and guessing what absurd situation will arise next. The resolution, where all the tangled threads come together, and the lovers are united, provides a satisfying conclusion that reinforces the play's message about the triumph of love and reason over greed.

While The Miser is undeniably a comedy, it teeters on the edge of tragedy at times. Harpagon's obsession with wealth isolates him from his family and creates a sense of profound loneliness. His warped priorities threaten to destroy the happiness of those around him, particularly Cléante and Elise, whose desires for love and connection are constantly thwarted by his miserliness. Mariane, too, faces a bleak future if forced into a loveless marriage. These elements evoke a sense of pathos, reminding the audience of the devastating consequences greed can have on human relationships. 

The play ultimately swerves away from tragedy. Various character schemes, resourcefulness, and the unexpected revelation of identities lead to a happy resolution. It is sometimes said that the only difference between a tragedy and a comedy is the ending. In the former, everyone dies or becomes isolated due to their hamartia, or fatal flaw. In the latter, everyone gets married. It is easy to see how this play could have ended as a tragedy. Consequently, this potential for heartbreak, death, and isolation that Harpagon's greed could have caused is meant to leave a lasting impression on the audience despite the satisfying conclusion.