EDF Flashcards
The fact that Molière also had a wife of a similar age to Agnès suggests…
That whilst we may be in denial about the absurdity of the desires of Arnolphe, we may too be guilty of a similar way of thinking
In scene 5 what does the exchange between Arnolphe and Agnès highlight?
The delay in her answering him shows that she has learnt only what he has hoped she would not learn.
What does the use of le… suggest?
By leaving the article alone we are forced to imagine what Horace could have taken and we are left equally in the dark as Arnolphe about the encounter. The effect of this is that we cannot simply define the secuality of Agnès in one word- it is simply impossible. Arnolphe is left a gasp and her reluctance to tell him only leaves him more infuriated.
What renders the play tragic?
The downfall of Arnolphe- not even the power he gains over many years can reverse the natural state of things
Arnolphe is selfish in his use of his two names- but why?
He wants to be able to control and see all. This does not work out well although for a slight moment it does- the representation of overriding power spoils his plan and reveals plans that have been made without Arnolphe being aware
What does the story mean to Oronte and Enrique?
Trying to protect Agnès from the clutches of evil
What does Arnolphe pride himself on?
The intellectual powers he possesses
Example of initial comedy?
comedy when Georgette and Alain fight to open the door for Horace- showing the initial power that he possesses
What is ironic about the meeting with Horace and Arnolphe when they talk about Ag?
At first Arn reacts well to the new that H is in love but soon after he claims it is a difficult pill to swallow when he realises it is Ag.
What is ironic about the name Arnolphe?
He is patron saint of cuckholded husbands
At the end of the meeting and act 1 what does Arn lament?
The encounter as whole saying he hates how H came rushing in yet it is clear that at first Arn engaged with him and in this sense he added to his own downfall. - this ties in with the idea that Arn causes presages his own downfall with his name ‘Arnolphe’- Arnolphe asks if Horace has had any luck in love
has it not already gone wrong for Arnolphe in act 1?
Yes he says ‘Je tremble du malheur qui m’en peut arriver’ - he is pessimistic yet tries to change things?
What does Horace say about money?
He labels it as the key to success- be it love or war. Perhaps he is drawing a parallel between the two.
How does Arnolphe explain his jealousy- but at the same time show his intelligence
compares it to when someone eats your soup- only when he compares it to this (something pathetic) does Georgette does she understand
When is the first time that that Arnolphe is not present in a scene? - what is the effect?
act 2.3 he returns later enraged and calls Ag to keep her close
How does Ag demonstrate her ignorance?
Upon returning from the encounter with Horace she explains how an old woman had to show her that by ignoring him she was naive and making him upset
Agnès demonstrates the first real stepping stone she has to cross?
She has an obligation to stay with Arn but by Horace also brings her pleasure
What does Arnolphe set out in the 3rd act?
The maxims of Marriage but also the different roles in society all comprising of someone inferior and someone superior
A wise woman is a …
dangerous soul
‘Avez vous jamais vu d’expression plus douce?’ démande Horace… regarding a letter he received from Ag
He taunts Arn unknowingly- Arn had just been complaining about why Ag does not love him despite her being poor, no parents and dependent on him
what does the récit of Arnolphe do at the start of act 4?
He only emphasises the pain he is in- coming to terms with his triste sort
By the end of act 4 how is Arnolphe about his plan?
He is sure it will work and tells Chrysalde this
What does Horace do at the start of act 5?
He asks Arn for some advice as he believes him to be a wise and Honnest man
How does Ag show she has changed at the start of act 5?
She responds to the fact that Arn loves her saying that he can’t blame her for his misfortune.
She presents herself as someone capable of making her own decisions
What dies Agnès say at the end of the play that makes thins worse for Arn?
She says she would honestly like to do what he says but doing that would be wrong but because she loves Horace
Why is what Arnolphe taught her about marriage unfortunate?
He teaches her that it should constitute a source of pleasure- this stick with her and leads her to Horace
Example of the distance that exists between the A and A?
He tells georgette to fait-la moi venir
what has the father of agnès been searching for?
Allégresse in the patner of A. Horace’s naivité constitutes a form of allégresse whereas Arnolphe has rendered himself ugly with his obsession
Marrying with Agnès is to do what?
Confirm the validity of his thinking
therefore by being left alone perhaps Molière was attacking this backwards way of treating women.
what did the journalist Robinet say about the play?
On ne sait si l’on doit rire ou pleurer
Give an example of the innocence Agnès conveys at the start of the play
She asks Arnolphe si les enfants qu’on fait se faisaient par l’oreille
How does Arnolphe announce his new character
saying that Souche pleases him more than Arnolphe
What do Agnès and Arnolphe share in common?
They both represent ambiguity- Agnès, for example represents naivity at first and then gains from within her a sort of energy that comes from within her gradually
What two awakenings does
Intellectual and in the soul- Molière showing that the soul and the mind should not be separated
religion
Arnolphe has been brainwashed by the church and fears that he will be left by Agnès because of what the church claims- that women are sent from hell as traitors.
He claims to her that only marriage will save her from the sins- so he uses scaring tactics to keep her within his grasp.
one of the more important lines
ce n’est pas moi que vous devez blâmer!
last line of the play
rendre grâce au ciel qui fait tout pour le mieux
destiny
Arnolphe make several references to destiny for example at the end of act 4 he asks will the stars not even allow me time to breath?- takes pity on himself
just like with tragedies…
much of the ‘tragic’ events of the play take place off the stage- for example the moment when Arnolphe fair reverence- this scene is all the more painful for Arnolphe as he has to trust what each of them says about the encounter and has to extract information. For someone who is supposedly controlling of Agnés he does come off badly from a rather unfortunate series of events. His precautions in this respect don’t serve to do anything influential.
Arnolphe thanks
je rends grâce au ciel- for sending him Horace, he believes he can now control him
une femme d’esprit
est un diable en intrigue
maxims
plaire à son époux
la bonne règle défend de recevoir auncune âme