Russian literary criticism of the 20th century on Moliere’s comedy “The Misanthrope”

The article addresses the reception of J.-B. Moliere’s comedy “The Misanthrope” (1666) by the Russian literary critics of the 20th century, refl ected in monographs, academic publications, textbook, articles and the scientifi c apparatus to the complete works of the great French playwright. The reason of this persistent interest to this play is determined by two essential factors: its ambiguity and its infl uence on A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit”. The author of the article traces the transformation of the researchers’ evaluations, ranging from the pre-revolutionary period and up to the latest reviews. It is stated that the reception of “The Misanthrope” can be generally traced back to the ideas of A. N. Veselovsky, the founder of the Russian studies of Moliere. Having been perceived controversially by the closest followers of the scientist, they became ideological in the works of the Soviet researchers of the 1930–1940s, then they were in the focus of attention of the literary critics of the middle of the century and were further developed in the studies of the turn of the 20th – 21st centuries. Addressing “The Misanthrope”, the Russian researchers of the French literature of the 17th century focus on the distinguishing features of the comic, on the biographical basis of the play, on the system of images, prototypes of the main character and the essence of his confl ict with the society. They invariably concentrate on the issue of the author’s viewpoint, and on the question of who Moliere sides with – Alceste or Philinte. The carried-out analysis shows that the research thought has changed from the biographical, social and political interpretation of the comedy “The Misanthrope” to refocusing on ethical issues. It appears that, despite the importance of all of these aspects, clearly signifi cant for the comprehension of the play, a cultural studies approach, characteristic for the French literary studies and based on the most recent studies of the gallant epoch, will facilitate a more sensible perception of the play.

Moliere, comedy “The Misanthrope”, the Russian literary criticism of the 20th century, reception