Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

Argan returns and announces the news he had intended to tell his daughter. He tells her that she might be surprised to hear it, but he has been asked by a young gentleman for permission to marry her. Argan quickly recognizes the expression of joy in his daughter's face and realizes that there is no need to ask of her feelings toward the proposal, and he tells his daughter that he has promised her hand.

Argan goes on saying that it seems as if his daughter's intended is a fine young man. He begins to list the positive attributes he has heard in regards to the young man. Both he and his daughter agree that the young gentleman is known to be handsome and smart; however, confusion arises when Argan expresses his joy that his future son in law is to...