Overview
Summary and commentary of Molière's "The Miser," focusing on central characters, plot twists, and key themes such as greed, love, and family conflict.
Main Characters and Relationships
- Harpagon is the miserly father of Cléante and Élise.
- Élise loves Valère, who secretly reciprocates her feelings.
- Cléante and Valère both become entangled in love interests complicated by financial issues.
- Marianna, loved by Cléante and sought by Harpagon, is poor and central to romantic and familial conflicts.
Plot Summary and Key Events
- Harpagon forbids his children from marrying poor partners and values money over personal happiness.
- Valère works in Harpagon's household to be close to Élise after losing his fortune in a shipwreck.
- Cléante seeks to finance his own romantic aspirations, unknowingly trying to borrow money from his own father.
- Frosine, a matchmaker, flatters Harpagon and attempts to arrange his marriage to Marianna.
- Harpagon's obsession with his hidden wealth leads to suspicion and accusation of theft within the household.
- Family conflicts escalate over marriage arrangements, leading to heated arguments and negotiations.
- Harpagon's hidden cash box goes missing, causing panic and suspicion among everyone.
Resolution and Revelations
- Valère and Marianna are revealed to be siblings, and Anselme is their father.
- Anselme consents to both marriages: Cléante with Marianna and Élise with Valère.
- Harpagon recovers his money and negotiates to avoid providing dowries by having Anselme cover wedding expenses.
Themes and Moral
- Greed and suspicion cause family strife and misunderstanding.
- True happiness and love cannot be bought with money alone.
- Self-development and prudence are encouraged over blind pursuit of wealth.