Woe from wit, characterization of the image of Alexey Molchalin. The image of Molchalin in the comedy Woe from Wit Molchalin Biography Woe from Wit

But how is Famusov's “rootless” secretary, Molchalin, accepted in this world? In his person, Griboyedov created an exceptionally expressive generalized image of a scoundrel and a cynic, a "low-worshiper and a businessman", as yet a petty scoundrel, who, however, will be able to reach the "degrees of the known."

Creating the character of Molchalin, Griboyedov showed the corrupting influence of serf-bureaucratic morality on the development and behavior of a person dependent on the "Famus" society. Molchalin has become a household name for vulgarity and servility. Characteristic features of Molchalin: striving for a career, the ability to serve, hypocrisy, reticence, fear of expressing their judgments. He sincerely wonders how in small ranks "you can dare to have your own judgment." While committing a vile act, he does not even understand that it is vile. Molchalin became a symbol of slave silence. On the example of Molchalin, one can trace the desire of the Famus society for personal gain. He is the embodiment of servility, hypocrisy, meanness. He lives according to the principles of his father, who bequeathed to him:

First, to please all people without exception -

The owner, where he happens to live,

To the chief with whom I will serve,

To his servant who cleans dresses,

Swiss, janitor, to avoid evil,

To the janitor's dog, to be affectionate.

He flatters and pleases at every opportunity everyone who may ever be of use to him. The instinct of the "servant" tells Molchalin exactly which line of behavior to choose with this or that person. With Famusov, he is extremely careful, communicating with the old woman Khlestova, takes the initiative: he composes a party for her and strokes her pug. Only for the sake of profit, Molchalin pretends to be in love with Sophia, because she is the daughter of his boss, and her location can be very useful.

He appears in front of the viewer at the very beginning of the play, when Famusov catches them in the living room. For fear of being caught in a love relationship with Sophia, he does not dare to open his mouth. One Sophia speaks and invents various fables to divert her father's attention from Molchalin. And he, as "took water in his mouth," can only say:

With papers, sir.

I only carried them for the report,

That cannot be used without certificates, without others,

There are contradictions, and much is not practical.

But his tone and behavior changes dramatically, as soon as he is left alone with the maid Lisa. Here he blooms at the moment, jumps in front of her, tries to hug, seduces with gifts, confesses his love and, most importantly, he is with her as he really is, because Lisa seems to him to be his equal, his person. With her, he is frank in his thoughts and meanness, in front of her he reveals his "game", because he perceives it as his own. Therefore, to Liza's question whether he loves a young lady, he honestly answers that "according to his position" ...

And Chatsky, meanwhile, is trying to understand what brought Sophia to Molchalin, "with what kind of fortune-telling this helpful man, who was" always on tiptoe and not rich in words, could get into her heart ". Chatsky's noble mind cannot come to terms with Sophia's attachment to Molchalin. He cannot understand how one can love nothing, and in the approaching twilight before the ball he asks Sophia and tries to rediscover Molchalin for himself. He feels the gap between his feelings and concepts and the rapprochement taking place before his eyes. He feels on the brink of disaster:

But is he worth you? here's one question for you.

So that I can bear the loss more indifferently ...

Let me be sure: then

From madness I can beware;

Don't think about love ...

Wanting to reason with Chatsky, Sophia lists such virtues of Molchalin that will make Chatsky say: "Naughty, she doesn't love him." And in fact, how can Chatsky count in virtues that Molchalin will "disarm" Famusov by silence, "he will not step beyond the threshold from the old people ... he will sit down with them all day, glad not happy, playing ...". And at the end of the conversation, Sophia's love for Molchalin remains a "mystery" for Chatsky.

And in the evening, under the pressure of Chatsky's questions, Molchalin got into a conversation, got into conversation so much that he discovered his principles of life, among which in the first place "moderation and accuracy", and further: "after all, one must depend on others":

Tatyana Yuryevna!!!

Known - moreover

Officials and officials -

All her friends and all her relatives;

... often there

We find patronage where we do not mark.

Well, really, what would you like to serve with us in Moscow?

And take awards and have fun?

Here is Foma Fomich himself, is he familiar to you?

There was a division chief under three ministers.

Translated here ...

... his syllable is used here as a model!

I dare not utter my judgment.

You shouldn't dare in my years

Have your own judgment.

After all, one must be dependent on others.

Chatsky wonders: "Why is it necessary?" To which Molchalin can only answer: "We are small in ranks." In this conversation, Molchalin takes the sad irony of Chatsky for the annoyance of a loser and begins to reveal to him the "ways of salvation." Chatsky is irritated by this condescending tone of him, he becomes harsh and opposes the humility of Molchalin, the most convenient form of advancement to "honors and nobility" in lordly Moscow, his program of independence, freedom and sincerity: "Why are other people's opinions only holy?" not a reader "," When in business - I hide from the fun, when fooling around - fooling around. " After this conversation, it becomes clear to Chatsky who is in front of him, and he exclaims with a grin:

With such feelings, with such a soul

Love! .. The deceiver laughed at me!

In fact, he opposes Molchalin, relying on that sense of his own human dignity, which was then immeasurably less developed in the commoners than in those who had a six-hundred-year-old nobility behind them. Molchalin, on the other hand, is all aimed at covering up his rootlessness with a career as soon as possible, and forgetting about this rootlessness himself. And it is not for his inferiority that Chatsky does not completely despise him. The human norm, as it was revealed to the enlightened consciousness, really turned out to be realized to a much greater extent in Chatsky than in Molchalin.

In the third act, at a reception in Famusov's drawing-room, Chatsky tries for the last time to open Sophia's eyes to the image of Molchalin. Now, after talking with him, he knows how different the true face of Molchalin is from the hero of Sophia's dreams. And Chatsky is trying to tell her about it:

Molchalin! - Who else will settle everything so peacefully!

There the pug will stroke it in time!

Here at the time of the card will rub!

Zagoretsky will not die in it!

But no words can open the eyes of the dreamer, because she is a child of the society where she lives. And only in the fourth act, Sophia realizes, having gone through shame, how she was mistaken in Molchalin. In the "scene on the stairs" Sophia and Chatsky give a moral assessment to this character. “Don't screw up, stand up,” he hears from Sophia. "Scoundrel!" - exclaims Chatsky, who, like her, became a witness to the secretary's confession to the servant Liza. At the time when the comedy was being created, the word "meanness" still retained the shade of its original meaning. For a long time in Russia, people who were near the master were called "vile" (serfs were also referred to as "vile" class). In the 19th century, the word "scoundrel" was already offensive and meant a person's dishonesty and his willingness to endure humiliation. All shades of this word are suitable for Molchalin. He is dishonorable, capable of humiliating himself, but the main thing is that he is always near someone.

After the scene in the entryway, Molchalin cannot remain the same Molchalin. The mask was pulled off, he was recognized, and he, like a caught thief, must hide in a corner.

The playwright allows for some grotesqueness in the depiction of individual characters in order to set off the prevailing character traits, but this does not make the images simplistic, straightforward, but gives them a great artistry. All of them are inextricably linked with the social environment and generated by it. Therefore, no matter how low and insignificant Molchalin is, he evokes not only disgust, but also sympathy: the hero inherited his father's philosophy of life and purposefully follows it. Molchalin revolves among the Moscow nobility, hears Famusov's rantings, calling for groveling in front of the powerful. This strengthens his faith in the correctness of the inherited system of life values.

The epithets awarded to Alexei Molchalin are flatterers, sycophants and heartless crooks. The antihero of the comedy "Woe from Wit" appears before the readers as a truly grotesque figure, whose description is full of sarcastic clichés. And according to the law of the genre, the unpleasant type who stole the heart of a naive girl will be exposed. Alas, such a plot is most often possible only in plays.

History of creation

Molchalin is a colorful and vivid character, with the help of which he exposed a typical secular society of the times of serfdom. The writer created the first sketches of the comedy "Woe from Wit" back in 1820.

The results of the work, which lasted for four years, did not satisfy the author. In 1824, during the editing of the resulting work, Griboyedov partially rewrites the character of Molchalin. The writer adds final scenes to the comedy, thereby exposing the secretary in front of the rest of the characters.

The first attempts to publish "Woe from Wit" took place in December of the same year. Alas, the censorship softened the heroes' remarks, smoothing over the acute social issues raised by Griboyedov. For example, Molchalin's phrase "After all, you need to depend on others" was replaced by "After all, you need to keep others in mind."

The comedy, not weighed down by the censor's edits, was released to print only in 1831, while the play was specially translated into German. The Russian-language version of the poem appeared in Moscow in 1833.

Criticism about the play mainly concerned opposition and Molchalin. Despite the numerous censures of the secretary, the hero's life values ​​are understandable and correspond to the spirit of the times. This is subtly noted:

“Chatsky says about Molchalin that he was previously so stupid that he is a miserable creature. Molchalin took it as a rule: moderation and accuracy. Let's ask: what's so stupid and funny? "

"Woe from Wit"

The plot of the comedy by Alexander Griboyedov develops on the territory of the landowner's estate. The elderly man's household has long been established, in working moments the man is assisted by a secretary, whose full name is Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin.

The man lives in the employer's house, so he easily strikes up a relationship with Sophia Famusova. Young people spend a lot of time alone, talking about personal topics. Molchalin's biography undergoes drastic changes when Chatsky returns to his homeland.

Men from the first minutes disliked each other. Chatsky intends to understand the reasons for the strange behavior of his beloved. Molchalin is scared that a secret romance will be revealed. The secretary does not want to lose an advantageous place, but the opportunity to become the son-in-law of a wealthy aristocrat is too tempting.

The girl herself has long lost interest in Chatsky and can hardly restrain herself so as not to reveal her secret. When Molchalin falls from his horse, the younger Famusova cannot cope with emotions. People around them begin to suspect that there is a secret connection between the characters.

Having ridiculed the secretary's views on life, Chatsky incurs the girl's wrath. People's relationships are surrounded by gossip, intrigue and class prejudice. The satiated life of Molchalin ends at the moment when, succumbing to feeling, the secretary opens his hands and confesses to the servant Lisa's insidious plans.

Sophia herself and the angry Chatsky hear an intimate conversation and unpleasant statements. At this point, the social problems of Russian officials and the love drama mix together. Molchalin is expelled from a wealthy house, and his rival bitterly concludes:

"The taciturns are blissful in the world!"

Image and character

Disputes about whether Molchalin is pathetic or terrible do not subside among connoisseurs of classical literature. The quotation characterization of the character will put everything in its place, because Griboyedov expressed his attitude towards the character through the remarks of Molchalin himself and the people around him.

The comedy hero grew up in Tver and moved to Moscow at a mature age. The young man is poor, he grew up in a bourgeois family. His father also worked in the service, so from childhood, Molchalin was used to groveling in front of the powerful:

"My father bequeathed to me: firstly, to please all people without exception - the owner where I will live, the boss with whom I will serve."

The secretary follows the behests of his father, so he easily and comfortably settles in Famusov's house. Officially, the young man is listed in the "archives", but in fact, he performs the duties of a personal assistant to the landowner. During the service, the man managed to receive three awards, which Molchalin is proud of.

Partially, the secretary's characteristics are revealed through the appearance of the character. The attractive young man has a slim figure. The man dresses neatly and follows his own manners:

"Serving, modest, there is a blush in the face ..."

The costume is for Alexey Stepanovich a peculiar way to achieve his own goals in life. A modest frock coat, a colored vest and light trousers help Molchalin to move up the career ladder. After all, the status of a reptile servant allows you to get promoted faster. And it’s easier for a quiet young man to gain the favor of the boss’s daughter.

The image of a modest and reserved person is exploited by Griboyedov even through the hero's surname. This is how Chatsky thinks about the unpleasant hero:

“Have you not yet broken the silence of the press?<...>However, he will reach the known degrees, because nowadays they love the dumb. "

New sides of Molchalin's character are revealed in the context of the secretary's relationship with women. Ambition makes the man look after Sophia, while Alexey is interested in the servant Lisa. The hero is not embarrassed that such actions are a sign of hypocrisy and duplicity. After all, any methods are good in the struggle between the aristocracy and the bureaucracy.

Inappropriate behavior has consequences for a fluid and resourceful person. Alexey Stepanovich is caught red-handed, and various evasions will not save the bureaucrat. However, even after being excommunicated from a rich house, Molchalin will easily arrange his own life, because, as he wrote:

"Molchalin is devilishly smart when it comes to his personal gain."

Screen adaptations

In 2000, the video version "Woe from Wit" was released, directed by. The play was included in the 5 most expensive stage projects in Moscow. The actor has embodied the image of Molchalin.

Quotes

“Often we find patronage there where we don’t mark.”

"This frankness would not harm us."

"What can you do to please the daughter of such a person."

"Ah, evil tongues are worse than a pistol!"

"I dare not utter my judgment."

The character of the comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824) A. S. Griboyedov (1795 1829). The type of careerist, saint, conformist: (act. 4, yavl. 12): "My father bequeathed to me: first of all to please all people without exception," etc. A common noun for flatterers, sycophants, ... ... Dictionary of winged words and expressions

The central character of the comedy "Woe from Wit" (1824). The meaning of this image was realized over the course of historical time. Nikolai Gogol was the first to notice something important in the appearance of the modest secretary of Famusov: “this face is aptly captured, silent, low ... ... Literary heroes

Wed ... My father bequeathed to me, Firstly, to please all people without exception: the Master, where he will live, the Chief, with whom I will serve, His servant, who cleans the dresses; To a Swiss, a janitor to avoid evil, To a janitor's dog, to be affectionate. ... ... Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary

Molchalin. Wed ... I wondered father First, to please all people without exception: the Master, where I will have to live, the Chief, for whom I will serve, His Servant, who cleans the dresses; A Swiss, a janitor to avoid evil, Dogs, a janitor, so that ... ... Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

M. 1. Literary character. 2. It is used as a symbol of a person who hides his own opinion and, with his silence, wants to please all superior or influential persons. Efremova's Explanatory Dictionary. T.F. Efremova. 2000 ... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

Molchalin- Silent Alin, and ... Russian spelling dictionary

Molchalin- (2 m) (literal character; also about a careerist and a sycophant) ... Spelling dictionary of the Russian language

Molchalin- the character of the comedy A. S. Griboyedov Woe from Wit (1824) is a hypocritical, obsequious careerist, who announced Ch. its merits are moderation and accuracy. His name has acquired a common name. meaning, and for the first time this happened already in the text of the com. (formula ... Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

- ... Wikipedia

Books

• Woe from Wit, Alexander Griboyedov. The play takes place in Russia in the twenties of the 19th century. To the house of the old Moscow gentleman Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, the manager in the state place, the convinced serf owner and the furious ... audiobook
• Poems for children from younger to older,, Nikolai Alexandrovich Dobrolyubov. “… In the bibliography of our magazine it was already mentioned last year about the“ congratulatory poems ”of Mr. Fedorov. All the departments are what one should expect from the author of“ congratulations ”. Despite…

WINE FROM MIND

(Comedy, 1824; published with omissions - 1833; in full - 1862)

Molchalin Alexey Stepanych - the main negative character of the comedy, the role of a stupid lover; Sophia's heartfelt friend, who despises her in his soul; the shadow of Famusov, the antagonist of Chatsky, whose fiery talkativeness is unfavorably opposed by the silent dumbness (emphasized, moreover, by the "silently speaking" surname). Transferred by Famusov from Tver, thanks to his patronage he received the rank of collegiate assessor; listed "in the archives", but in fact is the personal, home secretary of the "benefactor"; here, in the closet, he lives. M. strictly follows his father's behest (directly preceding the one that Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov will receive from his father): “to please all people without exception - /<...>/ To the chief<...>/ To his servant<...>/ To the janitor's dog, to be affectionate. " In the scene of the ball (no. 3), he helpfully praises the spitz of the old woman Khlestova, the sister-in-law of Famusov - which deserves her favor. (But not respect: during the trip - D. 4, yavl. 8 - Khlestova dismissively points M. to his place - intermediate between the secretary and the servant: "here is your closet, / No need to see off, go, the Lord is with you"; M . is not offended.)

In a conversation with Chatsky (no. 3, yavl. 3), who decided to figure out what it was that M. captivated Sophia, he formulates his life rules - "Moderation and accuracy"; "In my years you should not dare / Have your own judgment." These views are fully consistent with the unwritten Moscow norm. Throughout the comedy, the same plot motive of the fall is repeated; Chatsky, having barely appeared in the house, talks about how he "fell many times" on the way; Skalozub recalls the story of Princess Lasova, "a rider, a widow," who recently crashed into fluff and "for support" is now looking for a husband; then, during the ball, Repetilov announces his fall: "I am in a hurry here, / Grab, I touched the threshold with my foot / And stretched out to my full height." But only M.'s fall from his horse (d. 2, yavl. 7), upon which Sophia loses her senses, "rhymes" with the "exemplary" fall of Famus's uncle Maxim Petrovich: "He fell painfully - he got up well." This parallel finally inscribes M. into the unchanging Moscow tradition, against which Chatsky revolts.

But, repeating the trajectory of Maxim Petrovich's fall, M., in turn, is also endowed with a plot double, repeating his negative features in an even more vulgar and reduced form. This is Anton Antonich Zagoretsky - "man<...>secular, / Notorious swindler, cheat ", who is tolerated in society only for being" a master to serve. "

The need to tirelessly "please" also engendered M.'s romance with Sophia, in which he obediently fulfills the role of a platonic admirer, proposed (if not imposed) by her, who is ready to read novels from his beloved all night long, listen to silence and express himself in a "philistine" language that is not his characteristic ( "I have three little things ..."), but in the literary salon, "Karamzinist" language of silent gestures and refined feelings. (So ​​his "speaking" surname is read in two ways: it also points to the role of the enamored "silent man" in Sophia's plot.) This novel does not and cannot pursue "career" goals; M. does not expect to earn in this way even greater favor with Famusov. On the contrary, he risks losing his affection as a result of a secret "romance". But he cannot refuse to “please” the daughter of “such a person”. And, disliking "our deplorable steal", she takes the form of a lover - because she wants it so.

And so, perhaps, Chatsky is right, who at the moment of "exposure" M. (invited by the servant Liza to Sofia's room, he again flirts with the servant in the dark and contemptuously speaks of Sofia, not knowing that she hears everything; here is the angry Famusov ) remarks sarcastically: “You will make peace with him, on reflection mature. / Destroy yourself, and for what! / Think, you can always / Protect and swaddle, and send for business. / Husband-boy, husband-servant, from wife's pages - / The high ideal of all Moscow's husbands.

In Griboyedov's comedy Woe from Wit, several typical characters are created, well recognizable regardless of the era. Molchalin belongs to such images, so now it would be appropriate to briefly consider the characteristics of Molchalin, drawing attention to the traits that Griboyedov endowed this character with.

Biography of Molchalin from the comedy "Woe from Wit"

The play says very little about Molchalin's life before Famusov's appearance in the house. The reader learns that Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is of an ordinary origin, a poor young man.

Famusov took Molchalin to his secretaries from Tver, was able to "get" him the rank of assessor, which was highly valued enough and equated to the army rank of major. Meanwhile, the hero is still listed in the Archives of the College of Foreign Affairs and manages to receive three awards. At the time of Griboyedov, the "archival youths" were treated somewhat contemptuously, since young people who wanted to avoid military service in this way were enrolled there. This information already helps to make a characterization of Molchalin from the comedy "Woe from Wit".

In the house of his patron, Molchalin lives on the first floor, where the servants' rooms and utility rooms are located. For the sake of a career, Molchalin starts an affair with Sophia, the daughter of Famusov, while simultaneously courting the maid Liza.

Molchalin and Sophia

What else is interesting about Molchalin's characterization? He admits that Sophia is not interesting to him. No matter how Molchalin tries to arouse feelings for her, nothing works, the hero remains cold: "As I see you - and a sheet." He drags after the boss's daughter, hoping to get a profit. Knowing the inconstancy of Sophia ("they loved Chatsky once, they will stop loving me like him"), he is not worried, he is more concerned about Famusov's reaction to their relationship.

Literary critics have repeatedly asked the question: what attracted Molchalin to Sophia, why did she prefer him to the clever and noble Chatsky? Probably the answer is in the words of the heroine herself. Talking about Molchalin, she highlights his qualities such as helpfulness, attentiveness, shyness, he is ready to predict Sophia's every desire and shows her his tender feelings.

Another quality that is important in the characterization of Molchalin is his hypocrisy and duplicity: depicting love for Sophia, he courting Liza, seducing her with gifts and not hesitating to express his feelings rather impudently and obsessively. In Famusov's house, Molchalin wears the mask of a timid man in love until an accidental exposure occurs.

Characteristic qualities of Molchalin from the comedy "Woe from Wit"

Griboyedov uses a speaking surname. Molchalin is silent, quiet, he does not dare to have his own opinion, fearing not to please important people. Its main goal is to gain confidence in those who can provide patronage through servility and servility to them. Chatsky notes with bitterness: "The taciturns are blissful in the world."

To understand the characterization of Molchalin in the comedy "Woe from Wit" by Griboyedov, it is necessary to remember what covenant his father gave to Molchalin. The young man says that his father advised him "to please all people without exception": the owner of the house where he lives, the boss, the chief's servant, "the doorman, the janitor to avoid evil, the janitor’s dog, so that she was affectionate." The hero follows this principle. He tries to please Famusov, the "oldies" at the balls. For this, he refuses dancing and fun, and all evening playing cards with elderly, but noble gentlemen. With complaisance and modesty, Molchalin achieved a good relationship with the influential Tatyana Yuryevna and even the grumpy Khlestova.

Molchalin considers his main talents to be "moderation and accuracy." Griboyedov in his comedy "Woe from Wit" shows: Molchalin is stupid, his mind is aimed only at finding beneficial behavior, low, does not have a sense of his own dignity, is capable of meanness and lies.

We hope that our article, which briefly presented the characterization of Molchalin from the comedy "Woe from Wit" by Griboyedov, helped you get to know this character better. On our literature blog also read