Characteristics of the hero: silent grief from the mind. Woe from Wit characterization of the image Alexey Stepanych Molchalin
The epithets that are awarded to Alexei Molchalin are a flatterer, a sycophant and a heartless rogue. The anti-hero of the comedy “Woe from Wit” appears before readers as a truly grotesque figure, whose description is full of sarcastic clichés. And according to the law of the genre, the unpleasant guy who stole the heart of a naive girl will be exposed. Alas, such a plot is most often only possible in plays.
History of creation
Molchalin is colorful and bright character, with the help of which he exposed the typical secular society of the times of serfdom. The writer created the first sketches of the comedy “Woe from Wit” back in 1820.
The results of the work, which lasted for four years, did not satisfy the author. In 1824, Griboyedov, while editing the resulting work, partially rewrote the character of Molchalin. The writer adds final scenes to the comedy, thereby exposing the secretary to the other characters.
The first attempts to publish “Woe from Wit” took place in December of the same year. Alas, censorship softened the characters’ remarks, smoothing over the acute social issues that Griboyedov raised. For example, Molchalin’s phrase “After all, you need to depend on others” was replaced with “After all, you need to keep others in mind.”
The comedy, not burdened by the censor's edits, was published only in 1831, and the play was specially translated into German. The Russian-language version of the poetic work appeared in Moscow in 1833.
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Critical remarks about the play mainly affected the confrontation and Molchalin. Despite numerous censures from the secretary, life values characters are understandable and correspond to the spirit of the times. This was subtly noted:
“Chatsky says about Molchalin that he used to be so stupid that he is the most pitiful creature. Molchalin took it as a rule: moderation and accuracy. Let’s ask: what’s stupid and funny here?”
"Woe from Wit"
The plot of Alexander Griboyedov's comedy develops on the territory of a landowner's estate. The elderly man’s household has been established for a long time; a secretary helps the man in work matters, full name whom Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin.
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The man lives in his employer’s house, so he easily starts a relationship with Sofia Famusova. Young people spend a lot of time alone, talking about personal topics. Molchalin's biography undergoes drastic changes when Chatsky returns to his homeland.
The men disliked each other from the first minutes. Chatsky intends to understand the reasons for his beloved’s strange behavior. Molchalin is afraid that the secret affair will be revealed. The secretary does not want to lose his advantageous position, but the opportunity to become the son-in-law of a wealthy aristocrat is too tempting.
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The girl herself has long lost interest in Chatsky and can hardly restrain herself from revealing her secret. When Molchalin falls from his horse, the younger Famusova cannot cope with her emotions. People around them begin to suspect that there is a secret connection between the heroes.
Having ridiculed the secretary's views on life, Chatsky incurs the girl's wrath. Gossip, intrigue and class prejudice surround people's relationships. Molchalin's well-fed life ends at the moment when, succumbing to feelings, the secretary opens his hands and confesses his insidious plans to the maid Liza.
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The intimate conversation and unpleasant statements are heard by Sophia herself and the angry Chatsky. At this moment, the social problems of Russian officials and love drama mixed together. Molchalin is expelled from a rich house, and his rival bitterly concludes:
“Silent people are blissful in the world!”
Image and character
The debate about whether Molchalin is pitiful or terrible does not subside among connoisseurs of classical literature. Quote characteristic the character will put everything in its place, because Griboyedov expressed his attitude towards the character through the remarks of Molchalin himself and the people around him.
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The hero of the comedy grew up in Tver and moved to Moscow in adulthood. The young man is poor, grew up in a middle-class family. His father also worked in service, so from childhood Molchalin was accustomed to groveling before the powers that be:
“My father bequeathed to me: firstly, to please all people without exception - the owner where I happen to live, the boss with whom I will serve.”
The secretary follows his father’s precepts, so he settles into Famusov’s house with ease and comfort. Officially, the young man is listed in the “archives,” but in fact, he performs the duties of the landowner’s personal assistant. During his service, the man managed to receive three awards, which Molchalin is boastfully proud of.
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Part of the secretary's characteristics are revealed through the character's appearance. An attractive young man with a slender figure. A man dresses neatly and takes care of his own manners:
“Helpful, modest, with a blush in his face...”
The suit is a unique way for Alexei Stepanovich to achieve his own goals in life. A modest frock coat, colored vest and light trousers help Molchalin move up the career ladder. After all, the status of a creeping servant allows you to achieve a promotion faster. Yes and quiet young man It’s easier to gain the favor of the boss’s daughter.
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The image of a modest and reserved person is exploited by Griboyedov even through the hero’s surname. This is what Chatsky thinks about the unpleasant hero:
“Have you not yet broken the silence of the seal?<...>However, he will reach the well-known levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.”
New sides of Molchalin’s character are revealed in the context of the secretary’s relationships with women. Ambition forces a man to look after Sophia, while Alexey is interested in the maid Lisa. The hero is not embarrassed that such actions are a sign of hypocrisy and duplicity. After all, in the struggle between aristocracy and bureaucracy, any methods are good.
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Misbehavior has consequences for a liquid and resourceful person. Alexey Stepanovich was caught red-handed, and various subterfuges will not save the bureaucrat. However, even after excommunication from the rich house, Molchalin will easily arrange own life, after all, as he wrote:
“Molchalin is devilishly smart when it comes to his personal gain.”
Film adaptations
In 2000, a video version of “Woe from Wit” was released, directed by. The play was included in the 5 most expensive stage projects in Moscow. The image of Molchalin was embodied by the actor.
Quotes
“Often we find patronage there where we don’t intend.”
“This frankness would not harm us.”
“What can’t you do to please the daughter of such a man.”
“Ah, evil tongues are worse than a pistol!”
“I dare not pronounce my judgment.”
The characterization of Molchalin largely helps to reveal the image of the “past century”. The character strives to please all those in high circles. We invite you to familiarize yourself with brief description image of Molchalin according to plan with quotes.
Position in society
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin - Famusov's secretary. The hero works at Pavel Afanasyevich’s house, having arrived to him from Tver. At the same time, Molchalin is listed in the Archives, where he ended up thanks to Famusov, who appreciates the character’s helpfulness. Despite the fact that Famusov promotes Molchalin up the career ladder, he does not want Alexey Stepanovich to become the fiancé of his daughter Sophia, because Molchalin is a poor and “rootless” man.
Ability to Serve
The most striking feature of Molchalin is his desire to serve all people who occupy a high position in society. He understands that only flattery and pretense can help him move up the social ladder. Thanks to his main quality, Molchalin manages to receive ranks, as a result of which he achieved the status of a nobleman.
In the work, Chatsky correctly notes that Molchalin “will reach the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.” Main character Having seen the real essence of Molchalin, I am sure of the following: “Molchalins are blissful in the world.” Analysis of this phrase suggests that Molchalin (“Woe from Wit”) is a generalized image that personifies the society of A. S. Griboedov’s time. Chatsky, speaking about Molchalin, says this: “A boy-husband, a servant-husband, a wife’s page—the high ideal of all Moscow husbands.” It is Molchalin who becomes Sophia’s ideal.
The main principle by which Molchalin lives lies in his phrase “At my age one should not dare to have one’s own judgment.” The hero understands that he must please people and humiliate himself in front of them in order to be noticed. Molchalin’s desire to “serve” became the reason for his desire to receive a high rank and a good position in society.
The hero is addicted to public opinion. Molchalin is silent, speaking only to compliment or praise a person from higher circles. It is not by chance that A. S. Griboedov resorts to the technique speaking names. The character, confident that “evil tongues are worse than a pistol,” strives to reveal his essence as little as possible, because then those around him will be able to understand his true intentions, and he wants to receive ranks as soon as possible. To do this, as Chatsky notes, Molchalin is ready to “pat the pug in time” and “rub in the card at the right time.”
The main character evaluates this quality of Molchalin as stupidity and frivolity.
For the sake of his own career advancement, Molchalin, who, according to Chatsky, was “lured by honors and nobility,” builds a love relationship with Famusov’s daughter Sophia. The hero has no real feeling of love for her. He only thinks about a possible marriage with his daughter famous person in society will help him realize his plans. And if Molchalin behaves with Sophia the way she thinks he should behave a real man, then with the maid Liza, as she herself notes, Molchalin is a rake. With Lisa, the hero is persistent and courageous. This shows the character's duplicity, his ability to appearance polite and modest man hide passionate feelings and cheeky behavior. The maid evaluates Molchalin negatively, comparing him to stone and ice.
Positive features
It should be noted that in the comedy “Woe from Wit” the characters are not strictly divided into negative and positive. All characters have a dual rating. Positive features The hero lies in his shyness and modesty. Molchalin does not speak badly about anyone, he does not show his disdain for the people around him, as other representatives of the “past century” do. Molchalin independently achieves his own goals, despite the fact that these paths are arrogant and dishonest. The hero is distinguished by his politeness and patience. It is difficult to bring Molchalin into a scandal or any conflict. This calmness aroused Sophia’s sympathy for the hero. She characterizes the hero as follows: “yielding, modest, quiet.” Sophia calls Molchalin “the enemy of insolence.” She is attracted by the fact that Molchalin has become a true friend of the entire Famusov house. Sophia is sincerely in love with Alexei Stepanovich, without noticing him negative traits. The text of the work shows that only when Sophia saw Molchalin’s attraction to Lisa, she realized that he was a real scoundrel.
Woe from Wit is a famous comedy by A. S. Griboyedov, which features nobles living in the early 19th century. During this period, the ideas of Decembrism and conservative views began to provoke disagreements. The basis of the theme is the confrontation between modern times and a bygone century; ideals were replaced by new ones, which had a deplorable effect on people. At the same time, most of the representatives of comedy belong to the supporters of the bygone century; this category includes both individuals with weight in society and those who try to serve. And Molchanov is one of those who serve not of their own free will.
Characteristics of the hero
Molchalin Alexey Stepanovich is a man, he is young and works as Famusov’s secretary. Among his main traits are stupidity, meanness combined with cunning, his goal is to gain advantages for himself. To do this, he adapts to the opinions of others and meets not with the woman he loves, but with Sofia Famusova.
Among positive qualities can be distinguished:
- modesty. As can be seen from his reaction to drunken behavior, humiliation and affectation, the hero can withstand any quirks;
- tact. Alexey hides his emotions and does not show inappropriate actions towards the owner’s daughter;
- ability to remain silent;
- politeness. Knows how to correctly formulate phrases and present himself correctly;
- ability to make friends;
- calm perception. Even in the most unpleasant situations he does not show his emotions.
There are also negative qualities:
- shyness is only a mask, in fact the hero is two-faced, he behaves depending on his environment;
- pleases and ingratiates for profit. Novels are also built for the purpose of profit; even the smart enough Sofia is ready to be with him, but Molchalin is only pretending;
- He doesn’t have his own opinion, he’s silent more.
Mochalin’s psychological mindset defines a whole category of people; they are ready to do anything for a promotion and forget about their opinion for the sake of this. Alexey gradually lost the ability to judge logically and simply agreed with the public, reaching the maximum in his flattery.
The image of the hero in the work
Alexey is not rich and is a nobleman from Tver, lives in the owner’s house and secretly has a love relationship with his daughter. Molchalin cannot reach the status of a son-in-law, because he has no ranks and stars; society likes him because he is professionally helpful. He fully corresponds to the image of a young nobleman, since he tries to please everyone who can somehow influence his career. He himself believes that small ranks do not provide the opportunity to have one’s own judgment.
Role in society
In public, Molchalin’s true face is hidden, but when communicating with Liza, he shows himself, because the bright contrast of a modest and quiet man with a rake is simply impossible not to notice. This person is dangerous because he is two-faced. He has no love or even respect for Sophia, he is afraid to open a relationship, while at the same time he is building a real performance. He believes that evil tongues are worse than a pistol, but Sophia, on the contrary, does not worry about the opinions of others. Molchalin lives as his father advised him - he pleases everyone.
Alexey is proud of his success, the presence of important connections, and even gives advice to behave similarly to Chatsky, because he believes that his behavior is correct. Although the views of the hero and the conservative nobles are the same, he is harmful to society. Having deceived Famusov's daughter and being her lover more as a job than out of feelings, he ruins the girl's life. Molchalin has an exact correspondence to the ideals of the bygone century; he easily adapts to the situation and values only wealth and titles.
What does Molchalin show?
The basis of the character's character is duplicity and cunning, such people can be blissful, and reach known degrees, since people like such silence. The relevance of the affected feature of the hero remains, his image has been preserved to this day, promotions, enrichment for many are much more important than such eternal concepts, like dignity, honesty or love of country. Molchalin clearly divides people by status and treats them accordingly.
In the comedy, Molchalin is not very important for the development of the storyline; he personifies the general spirit of the people of that time, showing their humiliation before the higher ranks. The image also allows you to show Chatsky more clearly, because he is opposite in character, and stands out for his strong soul, pride and confidence.
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In Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" the main opposing array of events occurs in the images of Chatsky and Famusov. The remaining acting characters help reveal the true state of affairs and the depth of the conflict.
Origin and occupation
One of these characters, with the help of which the tragedy of what is happening is enhanced, is the image of Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with A. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”
Molchalin does not belong to the aristocracy - he is a man of ignoble origin, but thanks to his service, he has access to high society.
Alexey Stepanovich has not yet managed to rise to significant heights - he currently only holds the position of Famusov’s secretary, but he holds out hope for a quick career advancement, which arouses Famusov’s special love.
Pavel Afanasyevich allocated a room in his house for Molchalin, although it is difficult to call it a full-fledged room: it is most likely a small closet, but Molchalin, deprived of fate, is quite happy with this.
Alexey Stepanovich has been working as Famusov’s personal secretary for three years now, however, he is registered in a completely different position - based on official data, Molchalin works in the archives department, but in practice this is a fictitious thing, he is just listed there. However, not without benefit for himself - during such service he received three awards.
Of course, this was Famusov’s exceptional work. This situation is also beneficial to Famusov and allowed him to get out of a difficult situation - he provided himself with a good secretary and, moreover, he had to pay out of his own pocket.
The text mentions Molchalin's rootlessness, but there is no exact explanation. Based on this, several assumptions can be made regarding the essence of such a statement. The first is that Molchalin is a man of simple origin, the second is that he is an orphan, that is, a person without a family.
The writer portrays Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin as an adult man. At the same time, Molchalin rejects even the possibility of his infantility. Famusov, for whom the hero serves, takes advantage of Alexei’s position. Officially, the hero works in the “Archives” because Famusov agreed so. However, this is a simple formality for obtaining ranks. Molchalin’s real place of work is Famusov’s house. The latter provides its employee with food, drink, shelter, and career advancement. Molchalin, apparently, knows how to please Famusov.
Before working with Famusov in Moscow, the hero lived in Tver. Molchalin, of course, is not a rich man at all. The simplicity of the hero’s origin makes us make the assumption that Molchalin is a tradesman. According to the Table of Ranks, the hero holds the rank of collegiate assessor. This rank gives the right to nobility, which is what Molchalin achieves. The man even manages to receive awards, in which Molchalin was probably helped by his master.
Symbolism of the surname
The image of Molchalin carries symbolic features. This is primarily due to his last name. It is based on the verb “to remain silent.” And indeed, this word is an accurate reflection of the essence of Molchalin. He is Famusov's silent and faceless servant. Even his step is devoid of any sounds. It seems that he wants to be as unnoticed and quiet as possible.
From time to time, Alexey Stepanovich moves on tiptoe so as not to disturb his household. This behavior is one of the ways to achieve his life goal.
The purpose of life
While most aristocrats are devoid of purpose in life and lazily live their lives without filling it with any meaning, Molchalin’s life has a pronounced character. His goal is to succeed and achieve significant achievements in life. Achievements in the eyes of Molchalin are in no way connected with improving the lives of ordinary, ignoble people or promoting the development of morality of the aristocracy. Alexey Stepanovich’s highest goal is to become a full-fledged representative high society.
Molchalin is ready to die for the next promotion, so he serves Famusov with all his might - it is Pavel Afanasyevich who can help him achieve this goal. And Molchalin had already overcome the first step on this steep ladder - thanks to his ability to suck up and please the Famusovs, he was given the rank of collegiate assessor. Thus, Alexey Stepanovich turned from a commoner into a poor nobleman. Molchalin found a special charm in the fact that his rank tended to be inherited.
Molchalin and Sofya Famusova
You can further improve your position in society through a profitable marriage. For this, girls needed to have a charming figure and an equally charming face. In the case of the male half of society, it was enough to have a helpful character. It is the ability to serve well that becomes the criterion for favor. Despite his low origins and financial insolvency, in the eyes of Famusov, Alexei Stepanovich looks like a more attractive son-in-law than the noble aristocrat Chatsky. The fact is that Pavel Afanasyevich believes that such wealth and diligence, which Molchalin possesses, can compensate for his origin and achieve an advantageous position in society. To achieve a final advantage over other young people, Molchalin can only accumulate significant capital or start attacking Famusov from another front - if Sonya falls in love with Alexei Stepanovich, then she will be able to convince her father to make a decision in his favor.
Alexey Stepanovich accelerates this process by beginning to show interest in Famusov’s daughter, Sophia.
The relationship between young people follows the best traditions of platonic love - Molchalin does not allow anything unnecessary in relation to the girl.
Thus, he demonstrates his respectful attitude towards Sophia and the seriousness of his intentions. In addition, such behavior contributes to achieving his goal with marriage - Molchalin does not need to possess Sonya, he needs to become her husband, so debauchery is an unacceptable thing for him.
We offer a comparison in A. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”
In communicating with Sophia, Alexey Stepanovich adheres to the same principle as with her father - he pleases her all the time. Naturally, Molchalin’s behavior differs sharply from the behavior of other aristocrats towards her. Young people noble birth they are not ready to grovel before Sonya the way Molchalin does, which is why they do not arouse such interest in her.
To some extent, Famusova’s attachment to Molchalin was caused by the lack of proper candidates - after Chatsky’s departure, the girl chooses the least evil from the remaining ones. At the time of the emergence of attachment and the beginning of communication, Sonya did not experience enthusiasm and love attraction for Molchalin, her act could be regarded as revenge on Chatsky, but as a result, such an act did not bring the desired effect, Sonya eventually got used to Molchalin’s oddities and began to perceive them as ordinary things . In Molchalin, Sonya has found a wonderful “living toy”; he not only treats her with adoration (which, as it turned out, was feigned), but is also ready to fulfill any of her desires.
Chatsky and Molchalin
The conflict between Chatsky and Molchalin was a priori predetermined - an honest and noble aristocrat cannot understand and accept the position of Famusov and his society, Alexey Stepanovich, who is not only dependent on Famusov, but also strives to become like them, could become an excellent opponent to Chatsky , if he had more persistence and individuality, however, since Alexey Stepanovich is used to being a silent observer and never revealing his attitude to certain situations, there is no heated discussion between the characters.
In addition, the insightful Chatsky notices Alexei Stepanovich’s strange attitude towards Sonya Famusova. Over time, he discovers Molchalin's true attitude towards the girl and his ghostly love. Chatsky is amazed by Molchalin’s double standards - on the one hand, he is ready to flatter immensely, but, on the other hand, he immediately does not neglect to publicly announce his disdain and even disgust for those whom he idolized just a couple of minutes ago.
Attempts to open the eyes of others to the fallacy of their opinions do not lead to anything good - it is more flattering for others to perceive their superiority than to realize that all the respect towards them was a farce.
Molchalin and Lisa
No matter how two-faced Molchalin may be, he still sometimes reveals his true feelings and intentions. This state of affairs is not exposed in discussions or small talk (since he tries in advance not to take part in them).
So, for example, Alexei Stepanovich develops a feeling of affection and love towards the maid in Famusov’s house, Liza. The hero of the story is faced with a choice - to play his role as Sonya's lover to the end or to confess his feelings to Lisa.
Unfortunately, as a dishonest person, Molchalin is not limited to this state of affairs and cares for two girls at once.
Thus, Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is a classic version of a character playing a double game. This trend continues in the case of Molchalin in all types of activities. He is hypocritical towards Famusov and plays with Sonya’s feelings.
Alexei Stepanovich is characterized by resigned and silent servility. For the sake of moving up the social ladder, he is ready to do even the most immoral acts. The image of Molchalin has become a household name and is used in relation to a dishonest, hypocritical person.
Character of Molchalin
The hero makes a double impression. On the one hand, Molchalin pleases everyone (the man is a real master at this), he is shy, helpful, timid, calm, timid, modest, quiet, “wordless.” He is characterized by accuracy, moderation, and lack of criticism of others. This is probably why they love him. But on the other hand, the hero is also characterized by duplicity and hypocrisy. Molchalin is considered a well-mannered and polite person; the hero evokes sympathy among those around him. Society does not see the true nature of the hero. On the contrary, in Molchalin they see a selfless person, ready to forget about his own interests for the sake of others.
However, Molchalin pleases and remains silent for the sake of self-interest, in order to achieve his goal. This was the parting word the father gave to the hero. The hero's behavior depends on the circumstances. For example, with Famusov’s daughter, the man behaves emphatically politely and modestly. But Molchalin does not truly love Sophia. The hero is in love with Lisa. However, there is no need to behave decently with a simple girl. The true face of Molchalin is seen, perhaps, only by Chatsky, who considers the assessor a stupid, cowardly and pathetic person. However, Vyazemsky, on the contrary, emphasizes the hero’s prudence and rational approach to life. Molchalin's soul is cold and callous. The maid Lisa later speaks about this.
Here he is, on tiptoe
and not rich in words.
Silent people are blissful in the world.
A. S. Griboyedov
One of the favorite themes of the greats writers of the 19th century century - the formation of a young man, his choice of life path. Diversity human destinies They draw us such world-famous novels as Pushkin’s “Eugene Onegin”, “An Ordinary Story” and “Oblomov” by I. A. Goncharov, “Red and Black” by Stendhal, “The Human Comedy” by Balzac and many others. Among these immortal books is “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboyedov, not a novel, but a “high” comedy, in which, in my opinion, there is very little funny, except for some situations, but the most important socio-political And moral problems, many of which still concern us today.
What should a person be like? How does he lay his life path? What can you afford along this path and what should you never allow yourself? What is more important - human dignity or career? The author of the comedy answers these and many other questions in the image of Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin.
By origin and social status, he does not belong to the metropolitan nobility. “He warmed up Bezrodny and brought him into his family, gave him the rank of assessor and took him on as a secretary,” the Moscow ace Famusov. Molchalin's surname is justified by his behavior: he is a modest young man, handsome, silent, insinuating. He plays the flute, loves sentimental poems, and tries to please everyone. It would seem that there is nothing wrong with this. But, reading the comedy, we are convinced that Molchalin’s decency is a skillfully selected mask hiding a vile, hypocritical, false person. In a moment of frankness, he admits that he is guided in life by his father’s behest “to please all people without exception,” even the janitor’s dog.
Molchalin’s goal in life is to make a career, preferably a brilliant one, to achieve rank and wealth. The highest happiness, your life ideal he sees it as “winning awards and having fun.” On the way to this goal, all means are good for him. At the same time, Molchalin chooses the surest way to curry favor - flattery, sycophancy, servility. He is respectful and considerate with Famusov, pleases the influential lady Khlestova in every possible way, does not leave the rich old men, plays cards with them.
A flatterer and a hypocrite, he pretends to be in love with Sophia (of course, she is the daughter of his all-powerful boss) and immediately tells Lisa that he loves the owner’s daughter “by virtue of her position.” His life “principles” are simple and shameless. This is a renunciation of one’s human dignity, one’s own opinion, self-abasement: “After all, one must depend on others” or: “At my age one should not dare to have one’s own opinion.” Molcha-lin does not know what honor, honesty, sincerity are, and he is being mean just like that, just in case.
This behavior brought him a certain success: the insignificant secretary not only lives in the house of his patron, but is also accepted in his society. Moreover, “moderation and accuracy” have already secured him “three awards” in his service, the favor and support of influential gentlemen.
The reader of the comedy also understands something else: Molchalin’s life “experience” is a verdict not only for him, but also for the society that approves and supports him. The people who organized the persecution of the sincere, honest Chatsky, who declared him, an intelligent, educated man, crazy, do not consider it shameful to communicate with a dishonest scoundrel, to patronize him, and this characterizes them perfectly. “Silent people are blissful in the world,” is one of Chatsky’s most bitter conclusions after a day of communication with Famus society. Material from the site
Molchalin is not helpless and not funny - in my opinion, he is scary. The role of this hero in comedy is determined by two circumstances. Firstly, before us is a man who, living in Famusov society, will definitely “reach the known degrees.” Even exposure will not destroy him, because, bowing humbly and crawling on his knees, the “businesslike” secretary will again find the way to the heart of his boss: after all, Famusov needs him, and there is someone to intercede! No, Molchalin is unsinkable. Secondly, talking about the “formation” of Molchalin, the author exposes the Moscow nobility (and it, in turn, represents the social system of Famusov’s Russia), the “tormenting crowd”, afraid of people with progressive views and firm, inflexible characters and accepting as her many silent ones. The “great ability to please” brought many people into the public eye in this unprincipled society.
Griboyedov also convinces of what he does not directly say: he only needs the tactics chosen by Molchalin for the time being. Having achieved his goal, he will shed the mask of modesty and respect - and woe to those who stand in his way. Unfortunately, this human type is not a thing of the past. And today, under the mask of decency and modesty, a modern Molchalin can hide, who knows how to please everyone, and does not disdain any means to achieve his goals. The author of the immortal comedy teaches you to understand people, to see under the mask, if it is worn, the true face of a person.
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