Mélicerte - Molière

Summary

Molière's "Mélicerte" is a pastoral heroic play set among shepherds and shepherdesses, revolving around the intricate love triangle between Mélicerte, Myrtil, and Acantha. Myrtil and Mélicerte are deeply in love, but their happiness is threatened by the jealous Acantha, who also loves Myrtil. Acantha, aided by Lycaste (who loves her), devises a scheme to separate the lovers by creating misunderstandings and doubts about Myrtil's fidelity. The play explores themes of true love, jealousy, and loyalty, ultimately resolving with the triumph of Myrtil and Mélicerte's enduring affection amidst the rustic setting.

Book Sections

Section 1: Act I

The play opens in a serene pastoral setting where the beautiful shepherdess Mélicerte is beloved by the shepherd Myrtil. Their love appears idyllic, but Mélicerte, cautious and wise, expresses reservations about the constancy of love, fearing that Myrtil's affection might wane. Myrtil passionately reassures her of his unwavering devotion.

Enter Acantha, a jealous shepherdess who also harbors feelings for Myrtil. She confides in her friend Éroxène about her unrequited love and her envy of Mélicerte's happiness. Acantha is determined to win Myrtil for herself and begins to scheme. Lycaste, another shepherd, is deeply in love with Acantha but is constantly rejected by her, making him a potential pawn in her manipulative plans. Acantha tries to gauge Myrtil's feelings towards her, subtly attempting to plant seeds of doubt in Mélicerte's mind or to win Myrtil's attention. The act establishes the main romantic conflict and the initial tensions between the characters.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mélicerte	Beautiful, virtuous, prudent shepherdess.	To find true, lasting love; cautious due to the perceived inconstancy of love.
Myrtil	Passionate, devoted shepherd.	To prove his unwavering love for Mélicerte; to win her complete trust.
Acantha	Jealous, cunning, manipulative shepherdess.	To win Myrtil's affection; to separate Myrtil and Mélicerte.
Lycaste	Devoted but unrequited lover; somewhat naive.	To win Acantha's love; willing to help Acantha in hopes of gaining her favor.
Éroxène	Observant, supportive friend.	To advise her friends; to understand the intricate love affairs and provide counsel.

Section 2: Act II

Acantha puts her deceptive plan into motion. She approaches Myrtil, feigning distress and claiming that Mélicerte has been seen with another shepherd, Damon, or that Mélicerte has given him a love token, implying infidelity. Myrtil is initially distraught and confused, his loyalty to Mélicerte momentarily shaken by the seemingly credible accusations. He confronts Mélicerte, who is deeply hurt by his doubts and vehemently denies any wrongdoing, reaffirming her love for him.

A key device in this act involves a garland or scarf. Acantha has fabricated evidence or manipulated a situation to make it appear as though Myrtil has given a token of affection to her, or that Mélicerte has given one to another, specifically to cause a profound misunderstanding between the lovers. Lycaste, still hoping to win Acantha's favor, unwittingly or unwillingly assists her in these deceptions. Mélicerte, feeling betrayed by Myrtil's lack of trust, contemplates retreating from their love, leading to further anguish for Myrtil. The act significantly builds tension and showcases the depths of the misunderstanding created by Acantha's relentless jealousy.

Section 3: Act III

The truth begins to unravel. Mélicerte, despite her pain, tries to understand what has truly happened. Éroxène, observant and clear-headed, starts to piece together Acantha's machinations, seeing through her lies. Myrtil, unable to bear Mélicerte's sorrow and his own guilt, reflects on the situation and starts to seriously doubt Acantha's fabricated story.

Finally, Acantha's deceit is exposed, either through her own slip of the tongue, the testimony of Lycaste (who might confess out of remorse or further rejection from Acantha), or a clear demonstration of Myrtil's true feelings. Myrtil vehemently reaffirms his love for Mélicerte, expressing profound regret for ever doubting her. Mélicerte, seeing his sincere repentance and the full extent of Acantha's treachery, forgives him. Acantha is left humiliated and defeated, her schemes having failed. Lycaste, once again rejected by Acantha, is left to ponder his unrequited love, although the play often focuses more on the resolution of Myrtil and Mélicerte's romance. The play concludes with Myrtil and Mélicerte's love triumphing over jealousy and deception, affirming the strength and purity of their bond.

Literary Genre:

Pastoral heroic play (pastorale héroïque).

Author Details:

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière (1622–1673), was a French playwright, actor, and director, widely regarded as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His works, including "Tartuffe," "The Misanthrope," "The Bourgeois Gentleman," and "The Imaginary Invalid," are renowned for their sharp wit, incisive social commentary, and satirical portrayal of human follies and societal pretensions in 17th-century France. He founded and led the Illustre Théâtre company and later became the director of the King's troupe, performing for Louis XIV. Molière's influence on French theatre and comedy is immense, and his plays continue to be performed and studied worldwide.

Morale:

The morale of "Mélicerte" centers on the idea that true love, characterized by loyalty, trust, and sincerity, can ultimately overcome obstacles, including jealousy and deception. It suggests that superficial appearances and manipulative schemes eventually fail, while genuine affection, once tested, proves its enduring strength. The play subtly advises against succumbing to doubts fueled by external malice and emphasizes the importance of communication, faith, and forgiveness in maintaining a loving relationship.

Curiosities:

• Royal Commission: "Mélicerte" was specifically commissioned by King Louis XIV for a grand court entertainment, the "Ballet des Muses," held at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1666-1667. Molière frequently wrote plays for such royal festivities, often incorporating music and dance (ballet-comedies).
• Unfinished Work: Molière only completed two acts of "Mélicerte" before the initial performances for the King. The third act was either hastily concluded by him under pressure or, as some scholars suggest, completed by another playwright, possibly Pierre Corneille, or simply left with a less robust resolution due to the intense demands of the royal deadline. This often explains why the resolution might feel somewhat abrupt compared to his more fully developed comedies.
• Departure from his usual style: While Molière is renowned for his sharp, satirical comedies of manners, "Mélicerte" is a gentler, more lyrical pastoral, a genre he didn't frequently explore in such depth. It showcases a different facet of his dramatic writing, focusing more on delicate sentiments and poetic language than on biting social critique.
• Inspiration: The play draws heavily on the tradition of pastoral romance, which was highly popular in the 17th century. This genre often featured idealized shepherds and shepherdesses navigating refined love affairs in idyllic, Arcadian settings.
• Lack of Enduring Success: Despite its royal patronage, "Mélicerte" is generally not considered one of Molière's major successes or most enduring works. It's often overshadowed by his more celebrated satirical comedies, primarily due to its perceived weaker plot and the possibly incomplete nature of its final act.