Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

Alceste comes rushing in to speak with Eliante. He has seen a letter that Celimene wrote to Oronte; therefore, he knows for sure that she has been unfaithful to him. He wants Eliante to marry him right now, to avenge Celimene.

Eliante admits she would be glad to marry Alceste, but she suggests that he wait until his anger has passed, so that he doesn't do something he'll regret. Alceste insists he won't change his mind. He says he is going to break up with Celimene and then come back to Eliante.

Act 4, Scene 2 Analysis

Rather than take advantage of Alceste's anger at Celimene, Eliante would rather marry him when he is calm. Now that she knows she is another man's first choice, she might not feel as keen to be Alceste's second choice. Philinte has his own motives for suggesting...