Satire in Le Misanthrope
The use of satire in The Misanthrope
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts, such as plays. In satire; vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, with the intent of shaming individuals and society itself. Moliere, an actor-manager-director-playwright all in one, knows and loves his stage as few have done, and writes with the use of literary satire. This research paper will express Moliere’s use of satire in his most profoundly written play, The Misanthrope.
In a time in which power is one of the rarest virtues, Moliere draws on the widest imaginable range, from the subtlest irony to the broadest slapstick, in order to reach the accomplishments of keeping an audience amused for five whole acts. Moliere usually works under extraordinary pressures, even during personally difficult times. Often, he will interpret his own thoughts and opinions into his works’ by using different varieties of satire.
The Misanthrope was written during a personal crisis and is certainly coloured by Moliere’s own domestic difficulties. There is no doubt that personal suffering helped to give Moliere the astonishing insight into the human heart which he displays in The Misanthrope and which contributes to its richness and maturity. (Turnell)
Turnell is noting that Moliere uses his own experiences to resemble the acts that are shown throughout this play. His voice is heard not only through the words the actors’ speak, but by the emotion you can feel. Moliere represents his own personal views and feelings on society by using ridicule and satire throughout this tragic comedy.
Examine The Misanthrope carefully and ask yourself whether a poet has ever represented his inner spirit more completely or more admirably. We can well call the content and treatment of this play “tragic.” Such an impression at least it has always left with us, because that mood is brought before our minds eye
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts, such as plays. In satire; vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, with the intent of shaming individuals and society itself. Moliere, an actor-manager-director-playwright all in one, knows and loves his stage as few have done, and writes with the use of literary satire. This research paper will express Moliere’s use of satire in his most profoundly written play, The Misanthrope.
In a time in which power is one of the rarest virtues, Moliere draws on the widest imaginable range, from the subtlest irony to the broadest slapstick, in order to reach the accomplishments of keeping an audience amused for five whole acts. Moliere usually works under extraordinary pressures, even during personally difficult times. Often, he will interpret his own thoughts and opinions into his works’ by using different varieties of satire.
The Misanthrope was written during a personal crisis and is certainly coloured by Moliere’s own domestic difficulties. There is no doubt that personal suffering helped to give Moliere the astonishing insight into the human heart which he displays in The Misanthrope and which contributes to its richness and maturity. (Turnell)
Turnell is noting that Moliere uses his own experiences to resemble the acts that are shown throughout this play. His voice is heard not only through the words the actors’ speak, but by the emotion you can feel. Moliere represents his own personal views and feelings on society by using ridicule and satire throughout this tragic comedy.
Examine The Misanthrope carefully and ask yourself whether a poet has ever represented his inner spirit more completely or more admirably. We can well call the content and treatment of this play “tragic.” Such an impression at least it has always left with us, because that mood is brought before our minds eye
Cited: Kellerman, Carol. “Moliere. The Misanthrope.” Kliatt May 2008: p. 48. Web. 22 October. 2011. Journal Article. Brent, Liz. “Critical Essay on “The Misanthrope.” Drama for Students. Ed. Elizabeth Thomason. Vol. 13. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 October. 2011. Journal Article. Bloom, Harold. Ed. Bloom’s Major Dramatists: Moliere. Broomall, PA. Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Print. Knutson, Harold C. The Triumph of Wit: Moliere and Restoration Comedy (Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1988): pp. 115-17. Print. Melzer, Sarah E. “Performing Moliere: Le Misanthrope- Tragedy or Comedy?” Approaches to Teaching Moliere’s Tartuffe” and Other Plays. (New York: The Modern Language Association or America, 1995) pp. 143-44. Print. Norman, Larry F. The Public Mirror: Moliere and the Social Commerce of Depiction. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999): pp- 155-56. Print. Norman, Larry F. The Public Mirror: Moliere and the Social Commerce of Depiction. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999): pp- 155-56. Print.