Abstract This paper discusses how "The Misanthrope" reflects some of playwright Moliere's feelings about religion. The writer describes a relationship between sin (lust) and religion in Celemine and Alceste and other characters in the play.
From the Paper "Moliere often mocked religion in his plays. Another of the author's famous plays is "Tartuffe," which satirizes the extremely religious title character's piety. Tartuffe eventually attempts to seduce the wife of his pious patron. But in "The Misanthrope" there seems to be more sympathy for religious ideals. The society in which Alceste dwells is in fact corrupt. It is filled with puffed-up court poets like Oronte who walk about, spouting dreadful verse and engaging in the sort of sexual intrigues with Celimene that Alceste despises."
Tags: religion, sin, catholic, evil, alceste, celimene, tartuffe, society, france, philinte, satire
Abstract Through a comparison and contrast of these works, this paper explains how each one reveals a richly layered analysis of 17 century France, its politics, culture and society.
From the Paper "Moliere's work is greatly respected and vastly studied by contemporary academia, but in the author's time it was frequently shunned and even banned for its elements of harsh criticism against the religious and social status quo. A satirical work, Tartuffe was found so offensive to its audience that it was banned after its seminal presentation (Slater xviii). Not only did Moliere's exposure of the hypocrisy he observed in his environment, but also his discussion of religious wrong-doings gave the French public-not to mention the French bureaucracy-much to criticize."
