Act 5, Scene 2 Summary

Oronte and Alceste both confront Celimene and insist that she name which of the two she prefers. Each man says that if Celimene loves the other, he will not interfere. Celimene still refuses to answer. She says that she knows whom she prefers, but that it is unfair to ask her to bare her heart publicly. Eliante enters the room, and Celimene asks for her help.

Act 5, Scene 2 Analysis

When human beings are habitually dishonest, as Celimene is, it is as if they lose the ability to tell the truth at all.