In the famous comedy “Woe from Wit” by A. S. Griboyedov, all the heroes of the work are connected with Molchalin, whose characteristics we will consider further. In the work, the author describes the collision of two eras - the present and the past.
Events take place in Famusov's house. The present century is reflected in Chatsky’s behavior, the past - in the image of aristocrats. Famusov knows Molchalin’s father, so he took him to work as his secretary. What do we know about the hero's past? Born in Tver, no inheritance, but he was a business man. These quotes briefly characterize the hero: “listed in the Archives,” “serves under the priest for three years,” “Famusov’s secretary.”
In the essay “Silent People Are Blissful in the World,” the author uses the hero in the plural. The author wanted to show how people try to make a career, that the methods depend on the person himself. In those days, positions were achieved by serving influential people.
The image of Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit”
This image of a hero is common in literature. The author resorted to the “Talking Names” principle to attract viewers and readers. In this case, the surname carries semantic information about the person and helps reveal his character, behavior, and image.
The name Molchalin is justified by his behavior. But this is not only his character trait, but also the principle of achieving his goal. This is a timid and shy person, but all the heroes of the work reveal him in different ways.
For some, he is a hero, a scoundrel, an insolent person. But he has a career and the rank of assessor, and managed to make profitable acquaintances. When analyzing positive and negative qualities, there are still more positive ones. He has already lost his opinion, he only agrees with society. And all for the sake of promotion.
Quotes from the text: the attitude of Chatsky, Molchalin, Famusov to education, enlightenment, love
Chatsky: 1. “Ranks are given by people, But people can be deceived...” 2. “I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served.” 3. “And where the foreign clients of their past lives will not resurrect the meanest traits.” “As from an early time we were accustomed to believe that without the Germans there is no salvation for us.” 4. “That, today, just as in ancient times, they are trying to recruit more teachers from the regiments, at a cheaper price. We are ordered to recognize everyone as a historian and geographer.” 5. “That Nestor is a noble scoundrel, surrounded by a crowd of servants; zealous, they saved his honor and life more than once in the hours of wine and fights: suddenly, he exchanged three greyhounds for them. “ 6. “And who in Moscow didn’t have their mouths gagged at lunch, dinner and dance?” 8. “For mercy, you and I are not guys, why are other people’s opinions only sacred?”
Molchalin: 1. I was only bringing them for the report, That it cannot be used without certificates, without others, There are contradictions, and much is not practical. 2. At my age I should not dare to have my own judgment. 3. So: often there We find protection where we do not aim. 4. Day after day, today is like yesterday. 5. I don’t dare pronounce my judgment. 6. This frankness would not harm us. 7. To the janitor's dog, so that it is affectionate. 8. After all, you need to depend on others. 9. What can you not do to please the daughter of such a person. 10. Ah, evil tongues are worse than a pistol.
Famusov: 1. “Be poor, but if you get enough, two thousand family showers, he’s the groom” 2 “And for me, whatever it is, what’s not the case, my custom is this: it’s signed, then off your shoulders” 3. “The door is unlocked.” for those invited and uninvited, especially for foreigners.” 4. “They would take away all the books and burn them,” “Learning is a plague, learning is the reason that now there are more crazy people, affairs, and opinions than ever before.” 6. ““With me, foreign employees are very rare, more and more sisters, sisters-in-law, children.”
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Character and life principles of the hero
Does not have a noble origin, but wants to succeed in his career. He is hypocritical, calculating, seems sweet and kind, and knows how to keep his mouth shut. He is only interested in money and title.
His short monologues are quite frank and full of words about the importance of financial well-being in life.
Without remorse he flatters for his own benefit. Cunning and admiration for ranks is the main task in achieving one’s goal.
She takes care of Famusov’s daughter only for the sake of her career. He fulfills his father's wish and is confident that he is on the right path.
He is dumb by nature and has no opinion. Stupid and cunning when dealing with other people. He has his own approach to communication with each person. Molchalin’s description gives us knowledge that such people were and are in our time.
Biography of the hero
Griboyedov does not give a complete description of his hero’s appearance. By the time we met, Alexey Stepanych was a man of fairly mature age. In the play, Chatsky, in a conversation with him, inserts: “For mercy, you and I are not guys.” He was most likely born to poor burghers of humble origin, since Famusov speaks of him as “rootless.”
Living in Tver, he was a service man and had awards, which for him is an important detail of his biography. He did not receive any education as such, he had no talents, correct speech, the ability to count, read and write are the main skills of a secretary. At the same time, he rose to the rank of collegiate assessor, under which both he himself and his possible descendants are nobles.
He already serves as Famusov’s secretary: “with the priest for three years,” who pulled him out of Tver and transferred him to Moscow as his assistant. Before this, nothing is known about his life. It is mentioned in passing that Molchalin serves in the Archives. In fact, he is simply “registered” in the department, living all the time in the house of a benefactor, who provided him with shelter and food, and even when he “given his rank.”
Alexey Molchalin and Sophia
These characters were able to convey the concept of the work well. The author creates a love triangle. The image of Sophia is complex and contradictory. Brought up on romance novels. A dreamer, a visionary, she can deeply worry and love.
Sophia is the only daughter of a rich master. Due to boredom and anger at Chatsky, she gave preference to Molchalin, so she could not see the negative qualities of her lover. These images are still relevant today.
They are an example of a relationship built not on love, but for the sake of achieving personal interests.
Negative personality traits
Among representatives of high society, Alexey Stepanovich is shy and timid, but this is only a mask, a mask. Behind her are hidden features that do not make a man beautiful:
Helpfulness.
Molchalin strives to please everyone around him, hoping to make a pleasant impression and benefit. His father bequeathed to him to please all people, but his son went further. He grovels not only before people, but also before the animals of his owners. The purpose of this behavior is to achieve advancement at work and in personal relationships.
Duplicity.
A man’s behavior changes depending on the situation and environment. With whom he communicates based on status, he behaves this way. He is polite with Countess Khlestova, and cheeky with the maid.
Not the ability to love.
Molchalin builds his relationships for profit. He loves “by position.” This feeling has become very well known in the modern era when affairs are started for deception and profit. The secretary skillfully plays the role of a lover, conquers an intelligent and educated girl. Sophia is ready for his sake to go against the rumors and opinions of her father, but the response is deceptive.
Lack of own opinion.
Molchalin never spoke out. He chose the tactic of silence, which others like. Gradually I lost the opportunity to have my own opinions.
Chatsky and Molchalin
They are the same age. The views on the world are completely different. Chatsky is talented, strives for knowledge and service. And Molchalin only followed his father’s advice to “please people.”
The author, showing two opposing heroes, explains the heroes’ attitudes to education, service, and society. In addition, they are rivals in love.
Chatsky has sincere feelings, Molchalin - only for profit.
Because of this, they have a conflict.
The table shows a comparison of the characters and contains quotes from the comedy of Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov.
General characteristics of the hero
Alexey Stepanovich holds a small position. He is Famusov's secretary and confidant. Molchalin cannot boast of a noble origin, but he strives with all his might to become a “people person.” To do this, he chose an unmistakable tactic: “to please everyone... without exception.” Alexey Stepanovich does not distinguish between the master and his servant. He is impeccably courteous and polite with everyone. In relation to superior persons, Mochalin's devotion has no boundaries. He curries favor with Famusov and strives to serve Khlestova. Alexey Stepanovich is a mediocrity, an unscrupulous hypocrite and a sycophant. But none of the Famus guards notices this. The image of Molchalin is a portrait of a man who, with the help of simple tricks and tricks, makes his way into high society.
What does Molchalin show?
The image of Molchalin and the raised topic of personal gain, disregard for the feelings of strangers in order to achieve one’s own goals, are relevant today.
The speech characteristics of the hero show all his life attitudes. Promotion is more important than love and relationships.
He is not the main character of the work, but generalizes all people of this type. Also, with the help of it, Chatsky’s character is well revealed.
If you have not yet read “Woe from Wit,” we recommend reading the text in full. It is very important to form your own opinion, independent of the opinions of teachers and critics. It is necessary to be able to identify features and understand the significance and role of a work in the education and enlightenment of a person.
The importance of image in a play
Molchalin’s speech characterization in “Woe from Wit” gives a brief idea of what Famusov’s secretary is like and helps answer basic questions:
- where did you come from;
- what place in life he is seeking;
- how much you are ready to flatter and humiliate yourself to achieve your goal.
Wikipedia offers a complete description of the image, including the text of the characters. Alexey Stepanych plays a crucial role in the development of the plot of the play, although he does not appear as often as the other characters.
Molchalin’s quotation description very accurately and vividly described the image. And today people like Molchalin exist in our society. They are dismissive of others, suck up to their superiors, and do not value human relationships in pursuit of their own gain. They began to call sycophants and opportunists who obediently and wordlessly carry out all the orders of their superiors.
Quotes from Lizonka:
For girls, morning sleep is so thin.
He’s also good at making jokes, because nowadays who doesn’t joke!
And whoever is in love is ready for anything.
Like all Moscow people, your father is like this: he would like a son-in-law with stars and ranks.
Tell me better, why are you and the young lady modest, and the maid a rake?
And a golden bag, and aims to become a general.
Your conversation went on overnight.
Pass us away from all sorrows and lordly anger and lordly love.
You are a spoiler, these faces suit you!
Quotes from Chatsky:
Blessed is he who believes, he is warm in the world!
I would be glad to serve, but being served is sickening.
I go to women, but not for that.
However, he will reach the well-known levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.
But who lacks intelligence to have children?
I'm strange, but who isn't? The one who is like all fools.
Where, tell us, are the fathers of the fatherland whom we should take as models?
Ranks are given by people, but people can be deceived.
When in business I’m hiding from fun, when I’m fooling around I’m fooling around, and there are a ton of experts in mixing these two crafts, I’m not one of them.
When you wander, you return home, and the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us!
The houses are new, but the prejudices are old; rejoice, neither years, nor fashion, nor fires will destroy them.
I wanted to travel around the whole world, but I didn’t travel a hundredth part.
It’s a noose for me, but it’s funny for her
Fools believed it, passed it on to others, old women instantly sounded the alarm - and here is public opinion!
The legend is fresh, but hard to believe.
Quotes from Famusov:
I'm not happy! At my age, you can’t start squatting on me!
There is no need for another example when the example of your father is in your eyes.
Bah! All familiar faces!
What does he say? and speaks as he writes!
He doesn’t serve, that is, he doesn’t find any benefit in it, but if he wanted to, he would be businesslike.
And I ask you, sir, not to really go there, either directly or through a dirt road!
Everything is there, if there is no deception: Devils and love, fears and flowers.
You young people have nothing else to do but notice girls’ beauties?
Would you ask what the fathers did? We would learn from our elders.
Learning is the plague, learning is the reason that today there are more crazy people, deeds, and opinions than ever before.
Some dreams are strange, but in reality they are stranger.
Anyone who is poor is not a match for you.
He was granted the highest smile.
What a commission, creator, to be a father to an adult daughter!
Is it possible to choose a nook and cranny for further walks?
