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The Learned Women: Molière's Critique of Female Intellectualism

Josh Carter

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Published in The Learned Women: Les Femmes Savantes

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Molière's The Learned Women is a satirical comedy that critiques the pretensions of female intellectualism. The play follows the ridiculous antics of three women who are obsessed with learning and philosophy, and who neglect their domestic duties. Molière's play is a hilarious and insightful look at the dangers of excessive intellectualism, and it remains relevant today as a cautionary tale about the importance of balance in life.

Plot Summary

The Learned Women tells the story of three women who are obsessed with learning and philosophy: Philaminte, her daughter Armande, and her sister-in-law Bélise. Philaminte is a wealthy widow who has devoted her life to intellectual pursuits. She has founded a salon where she and her friends gather to discuss philosophy, literature, and the arts. Armande is a young woman who has been raised on her mother's intellectual diet. She is a brilliant scholar, but she is also arrogant and dismissive of those who do not share her intellectual interests. Bélise is Philaminte's sister-in-law, and she is a middle-aged woman who is obsessed with her own intelligence. She is constantly spouting off quotations from classical authors, and she believes that she is superior to everyone else.

The Learned Women: Les Femmes Savantes

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	93 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	138 pages

The three women's intellectual pretensions are constantly getting in the way of their domestic duties. Philaminte neglects her household, Armande refuses to do any housework, and Bélise is so absorbed in her studies that she forgets to eat. Their behavior drives Philaminte's brother, Chrysale, and her son, Clitandre, to distraction. Chrysale is a practical man who believes that women should focus on their domestic duties, and Clitandre is a young man who is in love with Armande. However, Armande's intellectual arrogance and her refusal to do any housework make it impossible for him to marry her.

In the end, Philaminte's intellectual pretensions are exposed as a sham. Her salon is disbanded, and her friends abandon her. Armande is forced to face the fact that she is not as intelligent as she thought she was, and she finally agrees to marry Clitandre. Bélise is left alone with her books, and she is forced to admit that she has wasted her life on intellectual pursuits.

Molière's Satire

Molière's The Learned Women is a satirical comedy that critiques the pretensions of female intellectualism. Molière uses humor to expose the ridiculousness of the three women's behavior, and he shows how their intellectual pursuits are getting in the way of their domestic duties. Molière's play is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive intellectualism, and it remains relevant today as a reminder of the importance of balance in life.

The Dangers of Excessive Intellectualism

Molière's The Learned Women shows how excessive intellectualism can lead to a number of problems. The three women in the play are so obsessed with their intellectual pursuits that they neglect their domestic duties. They are also arrogant and dismissive of those who do not share their intellectual interests. Their behavior drives their family and friends to distraction, and it ultimately leads to their downfall.

Molière's play is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive intellectualism. It shows how intellectual pursuits can become an obsession, and how they can lead to a number of problems. Molière's play is a reminder of the importance of balance in life, and it shows how important it is to not let intellectual pursuits consume one's life.

The Importance of Balance in Life

Molière's The Learned Women shows the importance of balance in life. The three women in the play are obsessed with their intellectual pursuits, and they neglect their domestic duties. Their behavior drives their family and friends to distraction, and it ultimately leads to their downfall. Molière's play is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive intellectualism, and it shows how important it is to not let intellectual pursuits consume one's life.

Balance in life is essential for happiness and success. It is important to have a variety of interests, and to not let any one interest consume one's life. It is also important to make time for family and friends, and to not let work or other commitments get in the way of relationships.

Molière's The Learned Women is a classic comedy that is still relevant today. The play's critique of female intellectualism is still timely, and its message about the importance of balance in life is still valuable. Molière's play is a reminder that it is important to have a variety of interests, to not let any one interest consume one's life, and to make time for family and friends.

The Learned Women: Les Femmes Savantes

4 out of 5