Molière's The Miser: A Cheat Sheet

Molière's "The Miser" is a classic comedy exploring the destructive nature of greed through the character of Harpagon, whose obsession with money leads to personal ruin and familial discord.

Core Principles

• Greed corrupts and isolates.
• Obsession with wealth blinds individuals to true happiness.
• Family relationships suffer under the weight of avarice.
• Comedy is used to highlight societal flaws.
• The play critiques the bourgeoisie's values.
• The plot revolves around deception and mistaken identity.
• The character of Harpagon is an archetype of miserliness.
• The play's structure follows classical dramatic unities.

Action Steps

• Identify Harpagon's core motivation: money.
• Analyze how Harpagon's greed impacts his children's lives.
• Recognize the comedic elements used to expose vice.
• Understand the play's setting and historical context (17th-century France).
• Examine the role of other characters in driving the plot.
• Note the resolution and its commentary on greed.

Key Terms

• Miser: A person who is unwilling to spend money or give money away; a stingy person.
• Satire: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
• Classicism: An artistic movement that emphasized order, harmony, and restraint, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art and literature.
• Commedia dell'arte: A form of improvisational theater that originated in Italy, characterized by stock characters and masked performers.
• Monologue: A long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program.
• Aside: A short utterance made by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters in the play.
• Dramatic Unities: Principles of dramatic structure derived from Aristotle's Poetics, typically referring to the unities of time, place, and action.

Pro Tips

• Look for Harpagon's actions that directly stem from his fear of losing money.
• Pay attention to the use of asides and monologues to reveal characters' true thoughts.
• Consider how the play's ending reinforces its moral message.
• Recognize the influence of Roman comedy (Plautus) on Molière's work.
• Note the contrast between Harpagon's values and those of the younger generation.

Pitfalls to Avoid

• Viewing Harpagon as merely a caricature without understanding the societal critique.
• Missing the satirical elements intended to provoke thought.
• Underestimating the importance of the secondary characters' roles.
• Ignoring the play's adherence to classical dramatic unities.
• Failing to connect the play's themes to contemporary issues of wealth and materialism.

Myth vs Reality

• Harpagon's miserliness is solely a personal flaw.: Harpagon's extreme avarice serves as a critique of societal values and the corrupting influence of wealth in 17th-century France.
• The play is purely a farce with no deeper meaning.: While comedic, 'The Miser' uses satire to explore serious themes of greed, family dysfunction, and the nature of true happiness.

Real World Examples

• A parent excessively controlling their children's finances out of fear.: Mirrors Harpagon's obsession with his money box, prioritizing it over his children's well-being and happiness.
• Individuals prioritizing material wealth over personal relationships.: Reflects Harpagon's inability to see the value in love or family, only in monetary terms.
• The use of humor in modern media to critique societal issues.: Connects to Molière's use of comedy and satire to expose the follies and vices of his time, such as greed.

Timeline

• 17th Century: Period of French Classicism and Absolute Monarchy under Louis XIV.
• c. 1668: Molière writes and premieres 'L'Avare' (The Miser).
• 1643: Molière co-founds the Illustre Théâtre.
• 1673: Molière dies shortly after performing in 'The Imaginary Invalid'.
• Ancient Greece/Rome: Inspiration from classical playwrights like Plautus ('Aulularia' - The Pot of Gold).

People

• Molière (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin): Playwright, actor, director; author of 'The Miser'.
• Harpagon: The central character, an extremely avaricious old man.
• Cléante: Harpagon's son, in love with Mariane.
• Élise: Harpagon's daughter, in love with Valère.
• Valère: Élise's lover, secretly the son of Anselme.
• Mariane: Cléante's love interest, later revealed to be Anselme's daughter.
• Anselme: A nobleman, father of Valère and Mariane, who resolves the play's conflicts.
• La Flèche: Harpagon's clever and thieving servant.
• Plautus: Ancient Roman playwright whose comedy 'Aulularia' influenced 'The Miser'.