Griboedov's grief from wit characterization of Molchalin. Essay “The image of Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit”
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is one of the main characters of the comedy by A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit".
Molchalin serves as Famusov’s secretary and enjoys his trust in official matters. He sees the purpose of his life in rank, wealth and career. His highest happiness is “to win awards and live happily.” To achieve his goals, Molchalin makes connections with influential people, believing that this The best way climb up career ladder. Trembling before Famusov, he always speaks, politely adding “s” (with papers, s). He plays cards with the influential Khlestakova, admiring her dog:
Your Pomeranian is a lovely Pomeranian, no bigger than a thimble.
I stroked him all over - like silk fur.
He achieves his goal, Khlestakova calls him “my friend” and “my dear.”
Molchalin has a telling surname.
“Here he is on tiptoe and not rich in words,” Chatsky says about him. Molchalin does not express his opinion:
At my age I shouldn't dare
Have your own opinion.
He is taciturn, his phrases are fragmentary, especially when communicating with people of higher rank than him. And even with the girl who loves him, Sofia, he is silent:
He will sigh from the depths of his soul,
Not a free word, and so the whole night passes.
Despite this, Molchalin talks freely with Lisa, confessing his feelings to her, and tells Chatsky about his base position. Therefore, we can say that taciturnity is not so much a character trait of Molchalin, but another way to achieve goals. It was not for nothing that Chatsky said that Molchalin would reach “the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.”
In addition, Molchalin sacredly honors his father’s instructions: “to please all people without flaw”
Thus, we can say that Chatsky was not mistaken when he said: “The silent ones are blissful in the world.”
Molchalin's character is revealed gradually, in relationships with other people.
So, with Famusov he is a helpful and quiet young man. He depends on Famusov, so he is very modest. When communicating with Lisa, he is much more emotional: “You are a cheerful creature! Alive!"). He openly confesses his love to Lisa, while insulting Sophia. He cynically calls her: “our deplorable theft.” At the same time, when communicating with Sophia, Molchalin is respectful, he pretends to be in love with the girl and looks after her for promotion.
In the comedy, Molchalin is contrasted with Chatsky, who is truly in love with Sophia. And we see how the dramatic knot between Molchalin, Sophia and Chatsky is slowly unraveling. Molchalin is also the main figure in the struggle between Sophia and Chatsky. After all, Chatsky, calling Molchalin stupid, offended Sophia’s beloved. And she took revenge by making Chatsky look crazy. We also cannot help but notice that Molchalin is one of the main persons in last scene, where everything fell into place. Sophia found out about Molchalin's true intentions, and he began to crawl humiliatingly on his knees, not because he felt guilty before Sophia, but because he was afraid for his career. When Chatsky appeared, he ran away completely. Here all of Molchalin’s cowardice and meanness were fully revealed.
As a result, we can say that Molchalin will always have a place in Famusov society.
Effective preparation for the Unified State Exam (all subjects) - start preparing
Updated: 2017-10-04
Attention!
Thank you for your attention.
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and click Ctrl+Enter.
By doing so, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.
The work “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov belongs to the comedy genre, the events took place at the beginning of the 19th century, in it the author showed images of Moscow nobles. The main theme of the work can be identified as confrontation this century and the past, a difficult change from old ideals to new ones. On the side of the last century there was a significant number of people in comedy, one of them was a young nobleman who did not yet have any ranks of Molchalin. His task was to serve influential people.
Molchalin himself was a poor nobleman, born in Tver. In the comedy, he lived in Famusov’s house, who in turn took Molchalin as his secretary. Molchalin falls in love with Famusov's daughter and secretly meets with her. Famusov is an opponent of such relationships, because he believes that his daughter needs an influential husband with ranks. Although Molchalin does not meet these requirements, he has another quality that was appreciated by the inhabitants Famusovsky house. He tried his best to serve in every possible way, and this attracted attention. That is why he managed to get the position of secretary, where business qualities are important, not honor.
In the work "Woe from Wit" the image of the main character can be called standard behavior young nobleman surrounded. We see how he tries to serve, and if necessary, even humiliate himself in front of the influential guests of Famusov’s house, all this goes with the expectation that they can be useful in life and further service. Molchalin even took it for granted to praise the fur of Khlestova’s dog. To describe the hero, a quote is suitable that says that while “we are small in rank,” “we must depend on others.” He believes that while you are young, you don’t have to have your own opinion.
Famus society was famous for its boasting trait; at every opportunity it was common to praise new successes, and Molchalin was the same. He was a frequent guest of Princess Tatyana Yuryevna. Although Molchalin’s character and behavior were the same as everyone else in society, although he agreed with everyone and supported ideas, this did not stop him from resorting to meanness. For example, his love for Sophia was only a fiction and he did it for his own benefit. In fact, he opens up sincerely when communicating with the maid Lisa, whom he liked. And then another character is revealed to the reader, you see that there is duplicity in him, which means such a person is dangerous.
There is not a drop of respect or warmth in his soul and heart for Sophia. He takes a great risk when he begins to secretly see Famusov’s daughter, because he was constantly in a state of fear that they would be noticed. This expresses cowardice. For Molchalin important role played the moment that he was worried about the opinions of others, and he was also afraid of what others would think of him. This meanness and deceit of his destroys him, because he begins to harm those with whom he has been surrounded for a long time. He remembered the words of his father, which said to please everyone without exception, which Molchalin followed. Based on this, we can draw a conclusion about the hero’s attitude to the description of the ideal last century, despite the fact that he is still young.
The author showed Molchalin as a worthy continuation and example of conservative nobles. Such a society is characterized by the fact that for them rank and money come first; these two categories allow them to evaluate others. As already mentioned, Molchalin was cunning and two-faced, these are the two main qualities that describe the hero.
Griboyedov touched upon a problem in his comedy that is still relevant today. After all, many cases are known when there were the same people who did not see anything in their way and were ready to go through everything for the sake of their goals. This topic will be relevant as long as there are people among us with the same values as Molchalin and his society.
Essay on the topic Molchalin
The comedy "Woe from Wit", written by Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov in the period from 1822 to 1824, tells the story of secular society and life of those times. One of central characters works is Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, a man from common people seeking career growth.
Molchalin seems to be a decent young man, distinguished by his kindness and modesty. But in fact, all these qualities are just a mask that the hero uses to achieve his goals. His dream is a career high rank and wealth. Respect among high society- the limit of his happiness. There are many in various ways to achieve these goals. But Molchalin chooses the fastest and most negative one. He takes steps towards his dream with the help of flattery, hypocrisy and duplicity. He does it so subtly and imperceptibly that many may envy.
The hero worked as a secretary for Famusov, a rich and respected man. He did all the work conscientiously, spoke kindly and carefully, which is why Famusov liked him. He treated his master's daughter, Sophia, even better and even dared to play a lover young man. Naturally, he does not experience any high feelings towards the girl. On the contrary, he despises her and establishes relationships solely for his own benefit. Once, having offended a girl, he throws himself at her feet. The reason for this was far from repentance, but the fear of losing the trust of his master Famusov. Another person who was lucky enough to hear lies from Molchalin was Khlestova. He kindly played cards with her and complimented her dog. In fact, people are very pleased with such behavior towards them. Molchalin showed hypocrisy and helpfulness towards everyone living in the house: from servants to management. This was the hero's plan, which he strictly adhered to.
Thus, Molchalin in Griboyedov’s comedy is negative character. The reader cannot see any positive traits hero, but sees only hypocrisy and the desire to achieve a dubious goal through dirty means. By using this character the author reveals serious problem, which still exists today. People who do not strive for anything high, but for fame and money, are ready to go over their heads and put on a mask of sincerity. Usually, having achieved their goals, such people live unhappy and lonely.
Option 3
In his comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov talks about the nobles of Moscow in the 19th century, it was then that society split into conservatives and those who were impressed by the ideas of the Decembrists. The main idea of the work is the contrast between the present century and the past century, the replacement of outdated ideals of the nobles with completely new ones.
Present in comedy great amount supporters of old ideals. Admirers of the old principles are weighty and significant people in society, such as the landowner Famusov, Colonel Skalozub, and the younger generation, who are simply forced to serve the “old men,” also serve the old nobles. Molchalin is one of these young people who is forced to serve the old nobles with their orders.
Molchalin himself is a poor nobleman, born in Tver, he lives in the house of Famusov, who gave him the rank of assistant and hired him as a secretary. Molchalin is also the lover of Famusov’s daughter, but Famusov himself does not know about this. The father does not want to have a son-in-law like Molchalin, because in Moscow it is customary to have rich relatives. Famusov appreciates in people the desire to serve him, and this is how Molchalin, with the help of his helpfulness, receives such positions.
In this play, the image of Molchalin very accurately corresponds to the nature of the command of a young, fragile nobleman in an influential society. Molchalin tries to curry favor with the distinguished guests in Famusov’s house as much as possible, because they can be useful for his future career growth. The young nobleman has sunk to the point where he begins to praise the fur of Khlestova’s dog. He believes that lower-ranking nobles should thus earn respect from their elders.
He, like all the characters in this comedy, considers it his duty to brag and be proud of his successes in career advancement. Molchalin is excellent at establishing connections with the people he needs, who can help him in his career. Molchalin brings enormous damage to the society in which he is located. He also deceives Famusov’s daughter, because he is courting her only for the sake of service to her father. He is the kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, and is capable of causing enormous damage to the society in which he is located.
Among the heroes of “Woe from Wit” (see summary, analysis and full text), Famusov stands at the top steps of the official and social ladder. Molchalin, being on the lower steps of the same ladder, tries to climb it, following the principles and life rules your boss. Adulation and servility, common in Famus society, were instilled in him from childhood:
“My father bequeathed to me
says Molchalin,
Firstly, to please all people without exception;
The owner, where he will live,
The boss with whom I will serve,
To his servant, who cleans the dress,
Doorman, janitor, to avoid evil,
To the janitor’s dog, to be more affectionate.”
We can say that Molchalin really fulfills his father’s wills! We see how he tries to please the noble old woman Khlestova, how he praises and caresses her dog; and although Khlestova treats him very condescendingly (“Molchalin, here’s your little closet!”), however, she allows him to lead her by the arm, plays cards with him, calls him “my friend,” “dear,” and probably won’t refuse he has protection when he needs it. Molchalin is sure that he is coming the right way and advises Chatsky to go “to Tatyana Yuryevna,” since, according to him, “we often find patronage there where we don’t aim.”
Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977
Molchalin himself recognizes two “talents” in himself: “moderation” and “accuracy,” and there is no doubt that with such properties “he will reach the known levels,” as Chatsky notes, adding: “after all, nowadays they love the dumb.” Molchalin is truly speechless, since he not only does not express, but does not even have own opinion,” No wonder Griboedov called him “Molchalin”:
"At my age one should not dare
Have your own opinion,”
he says. Why risk “having your own judgment” when it is so much easier and safer to think, speak and act as the elders do, as Princess Marya Alekseevna does, as “everyone” does? And can Molchalin have his own opinion? He is undoubtedly stupid, limited, although cunning. This - petty soul. We see the baseness and meanness of his behavior with Sophia. He pretends to love her because he thinks it can be beneficial for him, and at the same time flirts with Lisa; he sneakily crawls on his knees in front of Sophia, begging for her forgiveness, and immediately after that he rushes to hide from Famusov’s anger, like a real coward. The pathetic type of Molchalin is depicted by Griboyedov with merciless realism.
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin worked together with Famusov - he was his secretary. Famusov, in turn, trusted his subordinate, although Molchalin had nothing to do with the nobility. The hero's surname is similar to his character - a modest man and never unnecessary words won't say a word. Sofia was glad to see how good-natured and compliant Alexey was. True, Famusova had no idea that in reality Molchalin was not at all who he pretended to be.
Interested Molchalina There are only two things in life - wealth and career. Alexey in pursuit of fun and wealthy life. And for the sake of such a life, he is ready to please important officials. Molchalin approaches his goal quite cleverly. His “mask” allows him to cunningly move towards a good life, without presenting himself as a bad person. For the sake of increasing his reputation, Molchalin is not against praising Khlestova. He happily agrees to play a game of cards with her, and also finds beautiful words to praise the gorgeous dog woman. In front of Famusov, the hero positions himself in almost the same way - through respect and submission he tries to become one of the people. Alexei Stepanovich can be called a magnificent, and most importantly, patient actor. He is in no hurry to get to his goal as quickly as possible. Alexey acts carefully and carefully, thereby getting closer to a happy life every day.
Molchalin is a vile hypocrite in relation to Sofia. Alexei had no way of convincing the girl that he was really in love with her. In reality there was no love. The hero understood that in order to earn the respect of his boss, it was necessary to establish a relationship with his beloved daughter. Mochalin was more frank with Lisa than with Sofia. He directly tells Lisa that his love for Sofia is only limited by his position. Moreover, Alexey explains in detail why it is important for him to convince Famusova that he is really in love with her. Molchalin argues that you always need to please your superiors, in in this case to your superiors in order to comply with your life principle and achieve the desired success.
Despite the fact that Alexey treated Lisa with some frankness, he still remained a hypocrite towards her. The fact is that Molchalin needed to gain Lisa’s respect and favor at any cost. Therefore, I decided to do the smart thing, promising the girl that he would give her “a very clever toilet.” The hypocrisy of the main character manifests itself fully at the moment when Famusova Sofia finally finds out who Molchalin really is. Alexey, even in such a situation, continues to openly deceive Sofia, falling on his knees in front of her and asking for forgiveness. But in reality the hero does not feel any guilt. He’s just fighting for his career, because if Sofia’s father finds out who his secretary really is, he’ll obviously be in trouble.
The moment Chatsky appears, Alexey realizes that further lies will not bring him any success at all. Unlike Sofia, Chatsky is more intelligent, so Alexei would definitely not have been able to achieve his favor. Therefore, Molchalin finds one only way out of this situation - escape. Chatsky reacted extremely negatively, one might say, with great hatred towards Molchalin. And he was more concerned about the fact that such to an insignificant person managed to win the heart of the beautiful girl Sofia, incapable of such selfish deception. If Molchalin had not rushed towards a career, but had been honest, Chatsky would not have suffered because of Sofia’s experiences, and Famusova, in turn, would not have been doomed to such long mental torment because of the vile hypocrite.
