Misanthrope - Oronte Flashcards
PHILINTE: I fear for you, Alceste, and for your suit! I hope-
That servant girl downstairs is cute!
She says Eliante has gone, with Celimene.
So I’m alone with you two brilliant men!
My dear Alceste, may I say from my heart:
You’ve always seemed to me - a work of art?
A man of magnitude! I say again:
You are the most magnificent of men!
Alceste, my total happiness depends
On our becoming - just the best of friends!
A friend like me: of elevated birth;
Is like none other you could have on earth!
(Alceste daydreams)
It’s you, Alceste, to whom I make this speech!
ALCESTE: To me?
To you. But do I - overreach?
ALCESTE: No, no! But sir… I’m just surprised to be so eloquently canonized.
It shouldn’t startle you! Why, I must say, that all the world assesses you this way!
ALCESTE: Oronte…
Why, all of France considers you as worthy of the greatest ballyhoo!
ALCESTE: Monsieur…
Ah, yes! And I, dear friend, esteem your celebrated virtues as - supreme!
ALCESTE: Oronte!
Let heaven strike me if I lie!
And now to prove my ardent love will I
Embrace you both. Prepare now to be kissed!
First you, Philinte!
(kiss Philinte)
Now Alceste, I insist!
It’s your turn, sir. I’m so proud you would choose me!
(lunge at Alceste)
ALCESTE: Monsieur!
Monsieur? Alceste, do you refuse me?
ALCESTE: I’m honored, sir, and don’t mean to be blistery
But I think friendship needs a little mystery! We make the name of “friend” grow obsolete
By using it for everyone we meet!
For friendship: Time’s the only true begetter: Let’s wait then ‘till we - know each other better!
A little time, and yes, a little space-
Our separate lane to run the human race.
Oh Lordy be, how smart! - I must say, Alceste
That now I find you better than the best!
I know in time that friendship shall ensue,
So, till that time, I give myself to you!
And let me be a help to you with things-
I am, you know, a good friend of the king’s.
I have his ear, you know, and you will too:
I’d love to lend some influence to you.
In short, I’m yours to taste and savor,
And since that’s so, I’d like to ask a favor!
Oh pretty please, with cream and sugar on it,
I’d like to read to you my newest sonnet!
I’d only have it published if you said…
ALCESTE: Oh no, Oronte, ask someone else instead!
Not me!
Why not?
ALCESTE: I criticize immodestly. I have this fault, you see, of speaking honestly.
Exactly what I want! I love the truth!
Mere flattery, Alceste, is so uncouth!
I want your sharpest criticism, sir!
ALCESTE: Well, go on if you wish, my dear monsieur.
“Sonnet!”
It’s a sonnet!
“Hope!”
‘bout this girl
Who sets my hopes and fantasies awhirl!
“Hope!”
Well, I’m afraid it’s nothing major, really.
Some simple lines, and versified quite - freely!
ALCESTE: Well, well, let’s see.
“Hope!”
I hope the style
Will not appear to you as infantile!
And for the words, they’re not so bad, I think…
ALCESTE: We’ll see, go on…
Oh what the heck they stink!
I wrote the whole dang thing in half an hour!
ALCESTE: Remarkable, Oronte, your staying power!
“Hope, it’s true, it keeps us going
And keeps sadness out of doors.
But Phyllis, like a river flowing,
Holds my joy between her shores.”
ALCESTE: How dare you praise this flagrant dilettante?
“You’ve seduced me, sweetest darling,
Filling my poor soul with Hope,
But leaving me alone and snarling:
I know! I’ll be a misanthrope!”
ALCESTE: Philinte! You donkey! It’s rank stupidity!
“If you want, I’ll wait forever!
I’ll follow you - welll - wheresoever!
Until I take my final breath!
O Phyllis, dearest: In despair
I trust my Hope unto your care,
And hope you’ll trust it unto death!”
ALCESTE: Oh, no!
Don’t flatter now; you can’t admire -
ALCESTE: Outrageous liar!
But you, Alceste, you haven’t spoken yet!
YOUR thoughts on my - poetical vignette?
