The Misanthrope | Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 1

1. Why is Alceste disgusted in Philinte?

2. How does Philine reason with Alceste when she becomes upset be his insincerity?

3. Based on the events in Act One, Scene One, what can the reader infer about Alceste's personality?

4. How does Celimene represent the things that Alceste hates?

Short Essay Question - Act 1, Scene 2

5. What does Oronte want from Alceste and how does he react when he gets what he wants.?

6. What is Oronte's response to Alceste's critique?