Suggestions
Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.Please wait while we process your payment
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. Sometimes it can end up there.
Please wait while we process your payment
By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy.
Don’t have an account? Subscribe now
Create Your Account
Sign up for your FREE 7-day trial
Already have an account? Log in
Your Email
Choose Your Plan
Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan!
Purchasing SparkNotes PLUS for a group?
Get Annual Plans at a discount when you buy 2 or more!
Price
$24.99 $18.74 /subscription + tax
Subtotal $37.48 + tax
Save 25% on 2-49 accounts
Save 30% on 50-99 accounts
Want 100 or more? Contact us for a customized plan.
Your Plan
Payment Details
Payment Summary
SparkNotes Plus
You'll be billed after your free trial ends.
7-Day Free Trial
Not Applicable
Renews February 4, 2023 January 28, 2023
Discounts (applied to next billing)
DUE NOW
US $0.00
SNPLUSROCKS20 | 20% Discount
This is not a valid promo code.
Discount Code (one code per order)
SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year as selected above. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION AND AVOID BEING CHARGED, YOU MUST CANCEL BEFORE THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL PERIOD. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Free trial is available to new customers only.
Choose Your Plan
Payment Details
Payment Summary
For the next 7 days, you'll have access to awesome PLUS stuff like AP English test prep, No Fear Shakespeare translations and audio, a note-taking tool, personalized dashboard, & much more!
You’ve successfully purchased a group discount. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. You'll also receive an email with the link.
Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership.
Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Continue to start your free trial.
Please wait while we process your payment
Your PLUS subscription has expired
Please wait while we process your payment
Please wait while we process your payment
Alceste, a French aristocrat, argues with his friend Philinte about the proper way to treat those for whom one has little respect. Alceste insists on brutal—total honesty—criticizing Philinte's notion that such honesty might be rude or inappropriate. Philinte suggests that Alceste be more accepting of human flaw and not so critical of the behavior of others.
In his talk of honesty, Alceste reveals that he is presently embroiled in some sort of lawsuit. Philinte, attempting to find fault in Alceste's theories of human relationships, points out that Alceste seems to turn a blind eye to the faults of Célimène, the woman whom he is presently courting. Alceste counters, stating that he does recognize Célimène's faults and points them out upon noticing them.
Oronte, another of Célimène's courtiers, appeals to Alceste, praising Alceste's honorable qualities and suggesting that the two men become friends. Alceste is hesitant, stating that they should not make any sort of friendship agreement until they come to know each other better. Oronte then proposes that Alceste offer his critique of a poem Oronte has written. Though reluctant at first, Alceste ultimately agrees to hear the poem.
Alceste reacts with disgust as Oronte begins his recitation. Philinte, on the other hand, praises the sonnet. Out of earshot of Oronte, Alceste berates Philinte for flattering the poor writing. When Oronte finishes his recitation, Alceste suggests that he give up writing and stick to what he does best. Alceste presents an example of what he considers good poetry. Insulted, Oronte challenges Alceste to write something better that what Oronte has presented. Alceste turns down the challenge.
Philinte criticizes Alceste for the way he has treated Oronte. Alceste cuts Philinte off, demanding that he leave. Philinte refuses to leave, telling Alceste not to "be absurd."
At the opening of The Misanthrope, we immediately learn that the play will have at least some elements of farce. Molière's protagonist, Alceste, is comically extreme. He rants about the flaws and failures of humankind, allowing no exceptions. The playwright suggests that such behavior, however right or noble it might be, will not fit well in the world of the play. We learn that Alceste is embroiled in a lawsuit, suggesting that he even reaches the extreme of breaking the law. At first, Alceste is the caricature of the disgruntled old man, telling Philinte, "I find mankind so odious that I should hate to have it approve of me" (I.i). Molière later clouds this initial characterization as the play evolves. He begins The Misanthrope in much the same way he begins his other comedies, but later acts reveal an experiment with form and style.
Please wait while we process your payment