Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

In this very brief scene, Celimene's servant, Basque, comes to announce another visitor, Acaste. Alceste is upset when Celimene instructs Basque to let Acaste enter. Alceste wants Celimene to say that she is not receiving other visitors right now, but she says she is afraid she'll offend Acaste. Again, Celimene claims this is the only way to preserve her reputation.

Act 2, Scene 2 Analysis

It is ironic that Celimene claims to protect her reputation, when her behavior actually is terrible for her reputation. She may well be the true misanthrope of this play.