Can molchalin become different? The actions of Molchalin in the comedy Woe from Wit
In the comedy “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov presents images of Moscow nobles of the early 19th century, when a split emerged in society between the conservative nobility and those who adopted the ideas of Decembrism. The main theme of the work is the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century”, the painful and historically natural replacement of old noble ideals with new ones. Supporters of the “past century” in comedy are numerous. These are not only such significant and influential people in the world as the feudal landowners Famusov and Colonel Skalozub, but also young nobles who do not have high ranks and are forced to “serve” influential people. This is the image of Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit”.
Molchalin is a poor nobleman originally from Tver. He lives in the house of Famusov, who “gave him the rank of assessor and took him on as secretary.” Molchalin is the secret lover of Famusov’s daughter, but Sophia’s father does not want to see him as a son-in-law, because in Moscow it is supposed to have a son-in-law “with stars and ranks.” Molchalin does not yet meet these standards. However, his desire to “serve” is very valuable for Famus society.
Thanks to this skill, Molchalin received the position of Famusov’s secretary, because usually such positions are hired only through patronage. Famusov says: “With me, strangers’ employees are very rare: more and more sisters, sisters-in-law and children; Only Molchalin is not my own, and that’s because he’s a businessman.” It is business qualities, and not honor and dignity, that are valuable in the Famus environment.
In the play "Woe from Wit" the image of Molchalin fully corresponds to the accepted standards of behavior of a young nobleman in society. He curries favor and humiliates himself in front of influential guests in Famusov’s house, because they can be useful in his career advancement. Molchalin descends to the point that he begins to praise the smooth fur of Khlestova’s dog. He believes that while “we are small in rank,” “we must depend on others.” That is why Molchalin lives by the principle “At my age one should not dare to have one’s own opinion.”
Like everyone else in Famus’s society, in the comedy “Woe from Wit” Molchalin is proud of his career successes and boasts of them at every opportunity: “According to my work and effort, since I am listed in the archives, I have received three awards.” Molchalin also succeeded in establishing connections with the “right” people. He often visits Princess Tatyana Yuryevna, because “officials and officials are all her friends and all her relatives,” and even dares to recommend this manner of behavior to Chatsky.
Despite the fact that Molchalin’s views and values completely coincide with the ideals of the conservative nobility, Molchalin is capable of causing serious harm to the society in which he is located. Famusov’s daughter will be deceived by this very man, since he assumes the guise of her lover “by position,” that is, for profit.
Molchalin fully reveals his face when interacting with the maid Liza, whom he expresses sympathy. “You and the young lady are modest, but the maid is a rake,” she tells him. It becomes clear to the reader that Molchalin is not at all a stupid, modest person - he is a two-faced and dangerous person.
In Molchalin’s heart there is neither love nor respect for Sophia. On the one hand, he puts on this performance “to please the daughter of such a man,” and on the other hand, he is mortally afraid that his secret relationship with Sophia will be revealed. Molchalin is very cowardly. He is afraid of ruining the opinion of himself in society, because “evil tongues are worse than a pistol.” Even Sophia is ready to go against the light for the sake of love: “What do I hear?!” This is probably why Molchalin does not find “anything enviable” in his marriage to Sophia.
It turns out that with his meanness Molchalin causes harm even to the society of which he is a product. Molchalin simply clearly follows his father’s advice - “to please all people without exception - the owner, where I happen to live, the boss with whom I will serve...”
This hero fully corresponds to the ideals of the “past century”, although he belongs to the younger generation of nobles. He knows the main thing - to adapt, and therefore “Silent people are blissful in the world.”
Thus, Molchalin is the product and worthy continuation of representatives of the conservative nobility. He, like this society, values only rank and money and evaluates people only by these standards. The cunning and duplicity of this hero are the defining features of Molchalin’s characterization in the comedy “Woe from Wit.” That’s why Chatsky claims that Molchalin “will reach the well-known levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.”
The problem that Griboyedov raises in the comedy “Woe from Wit” remains relevant to this day. At all times there have been Molchalins who stopped at nothing to achieve their goals. The image of Molchalin will remain alive for readers as long as such values as wealth and position in society, rather than honor, conscience, human dignity and true patriotism, are put at the forefront.
Characteristics of the hero, reasoning about his views and ideals, description of relationships with other characters - all these arguments will help 9th grade students when writing an essay on the topic of the image of Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit”
Work test
The characterization of Molchalin largely helps to reveal the image of the “past century”. The character strives to please all those in high circles. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with a brief description of Molchalin’s image according to plan with quotes.
Position in society
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin - Famusov's secretary. The hero works at Pavel Afanasyevich’s house, having arrived to him from Tver. At the same time, Molchalin is listed in the Archives, where he ended up thanks to Famusov, who appreciates the character’s helpfulness. Despite the fact that Famusov promotes Molchalin up the career ladder, he does not want Alexei Stepanovich to become the fiancé of his daughter Sophia, because Molchalin is a poor and “rootless” man.
Ability to Serve
The most striking feature of Molchalin is his desire to serve all people who occupy a high position in society. He understands that only flattery and pretense can help him move up the social ladder. Thanks to his main quality, Molchalin manages to receive ranks, as a result of which he achieved the status of a nobleman.
In the work, Chatsky correctly notes that Molchalin “will reach the famous levels, because nowadays they love the dumb.” The main character, having seen the real essence of Molchalin, is sure of the following: “Molchalins are blissful in the world.” Analysis of this phrase suggests that Molchalin (“Woe from Wit”) is a generalized image that personifies the society of A. S. Griboedov’s time. Chatsky, speaking about Molchalin, says this: “A boy-husband, a servant-husband, a wife’s page—the high ideal of all Moscow husbands.” It is Molchalin who becomes Sophia’s ideal.
The main principle by which Molchalin lives lies in his phrase “At my age one should not dare to have one’s own judgment.” The hero understands that he must please people and humiliate himself in front of them in order to be noticed. Molchalin’s desire to “serve” became the reason for his desire to receive a high rank and a good position in society.
The hero is dependent on public opinion. Molchalin is silent, speaking only to compliment or praise a person from higher circles. It is not by chance that A. S. Griboyedov resorts to the technique of speaking surnames. The character, confident that “evil tongues are worse than a pistol,” strives to reveal his essence as little as possible, because then those around him will be able to understand his true intentions, and he wants to receive ranks as soon as possible. To do this, as Chatsky notes, Molchalin is ready to “pat the pug in time” and “rub in the card at the right time.”
The main character evaluates this quality of Molchalin as stupidity and frivolity.
For the sake of his own career advancement, Molchalin, who, according to Chatsky, was “lured by honors and nobility,” builds a love relationship with Famusov’s daughter Sophia. The hero has no real feeling of love for her. He only thinks that a possible marriage with the daughter of a famous person in society will help him realize his plans. And if with Sofia Molchalin behaves as in her ideas a real man should behave, then with the maid Liza, as she notes herself, Molchalin is a rake. With Lisa, the hero is persistent and courageous. This shows the character’s duplicity, his ability to hide passionate feelings and cheeky behavior behind the appearance of a polite and modest person. The maid evaluates Molchalin negatively, comparing him to stone and ice.
Positive traits
It should be noted that in the comedy “Woe from Wit” the characters are not strictly divided into negative and positive. All characters have a dual rating. The positive traits of the hero are his shyness and modesty. Molchalin does not speak badly about anyone, he does not show his disdain for the people around him, as other representatives of the “past century” do. Molchalin independently achieves his own goals, despite the fact that these paths are arrogant and dishonest. The hero is distinguished by his politeness and patience. It is difficult to bring Molchalin into a scandal or any conflict. This calmness aroused Sophia’s sympathy for the hero. She characterizes the hero as follows: “yielding, modest, quiet.” Sophia calls Molchalin “the enemy of insolence.” She is attracted by the fact that Molchalin has become a true friend of the entire Famusov house. Sophia is sincerely in love with Alexei Stepanovich, not noticing his negative traits. The text of the work shows that only when Sophia saw Molchalin’s attraction to Lisa, she realized that he was a real scoundrel.
A.S. Griboyedov finished his legendary comedy in 1824. But, despite all efforts, it was not possible to publish it. The censor did not let it through, since the nature of the play is accusatory. It spread through the lists and was a great success among the young intelligentsia. Only in 1833 the play was published in an abridged version.
The author presented the reader with a galaxy of vivid images of the Moscow nobility of the 19th century. Most of them are still relevant today. The person who “is blissful in the world” is especially tenacious. This character personifies veneration for rank, careerism, and hypocrisy.
General characteristics of the hero
Molchalin is a young man of unknown origin. He comes from Tver, his parents became impoverished. Thanks to his efficiency and cunning, he ends up in the capital. Famusov gives him the rank of collegiate assessor and makes him his secretary. This position at that time gave hereditary nobility, regardless of material well-being. But the employer himself calls him “rootless,” although he settles him in his house.
Alexey Stepanovich, like most heroes of classical literature, bears a telling surname. He is truly silent. The quality is inconsistent. Sophia, in love, considers it a virtue. They say the priest is angry, but Alexey does not argue, does not object, the hot-tempered master calms down. Chatsky considers this stupidity, lack of will, and self-respect. For Molchalin, this is just a cunning maneuver, opportunism. He doesn't mind.
The hero is young, the same age as Chatsky. But they are similar only in age.
Chatsky and Molchalin
These two social types are antagonists. People like Molchalin are ready to do anything to achieve high ranks and position in society. They don’t disdain anything. Lies, hypocrisy, ingratiation, sycophancy, humiliation, pretense - everything is used.
“Moderation and accuracy” are the only talents of Alexei Stepanovich. But he is clearly being modest, forgetting that adaptability, cunning, and business acumen are also a kind of talent.
Molchalin does not recognize his right to his own opinion. While he is in a small rank, it is necessary to depend on others. Therefore, he actively mimics and adapts.
Chatsky is a different person. He openly expresses his opinion in any environment. He sees no point in an empty service. He is ready to serve the cause, but not the persons. It's sickening to serve him. Famusov calls him a proud man and a fool. It is strange for a successful official to hear such speeches.
Molchalin, for the sake of profit, is ready to pretend in everything. Even in love.
Relation to Sophia
Pretending to be in love, Alexey becomes the friend of the owner's daughter's heart. She, in turn, endowed him with the features of heroes of French romance novels. She created the perfect image for herself.
Alexey Stepanych visits the young lady’s room at night. But he behaves indecisively, modestly, and does not allow liberties. As it turned out later, not because he was deeply in love and well-mannered, but out of indifference. But he shows ardor and discourtesy towards Lisa. Shyness with the young lady and vulgar behavior with the maid. This contrast speaks volumes.
He looks after Sophia only to curry favor: “to please the daughter of such a man.” He himself doesn’t really understand why. There is no love, he doesn’t count on a wedding. Molchalin is a coward, insanely afraid of Famusov’s anger, of what he finds out about the affair.
Molchalin and guests
The ball in the Famusovs’ house is the key scene of the work. The family is officially in mourning after the death of their uncle. Therefore, only “our own” people are convened. It is necessary to give points to maintain connections.
Molchalin is equally amiable with all representatives of the “past century”. He finds an approach to everyone. Sophia saw kindness in this ability to adapt. They say Alexey Stepanovich found friendship with everyone in the house. Chatsky also notices this: “Here he’ll pet a pug in time, there he’ll rub a card just right.” And, indeed, it comes to the point of absurdity. Molchalin strokes and praises Lady Khlestova’s Pomeranian. And then he plays cards with the old people all evening, adjusting, playing along. Knowing their cool temperament.
The young man does everything on time. He seems to anticipate a social storm. As soon as a scandal brews in the house, he disappears into his room a minute before the owner appears.
“He will reach known degrees...”
All this will certainly help the hero in achieving his goals. He will not be embarrassed by mistakes or falls. There is no shame or timidity in him. From childhood, Alexey was instilled with the law of the need to please even the master’s janitor and his dog. And sycophancy, the ability to “bend too far” is highly valued in the capital.
“Woe from Wit” is an immortal comedy by A. S. Griboedov. In it, he truthfully and mercilessly portrayed the “picture of morals” of his contemporary aristocratic society. According to the author, in his work there are “25 fools for one sane person.” And one of them in the play is Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin. Our article will be devoted to the characteristics of this character.
The place of the hero in comedy
Molchalin in “Woe from Wit” is a typical representative of the role that the author assigns to him in the comedy is of extreme importance. He, along with the main character, is a participant in both the love and socio-ideological confrontation of the characters. Alexey Stepanovich is not only a worthy successor to Famusov in business, but also a successful rival of Chatsky in love. It was him who, for an unknown reason, chose Sofia. The personal relationships of the characters in “Woe from Wit” are important, but more interesting to study is Molchalin’s attitude to service. After all, it is in this activity that the character of Alexei Stepanovich manifests itself most clearly.
General characteristics of the hero
Alexey Stepanovich holds a small position. He is Famusov's secretary too. Molchalin cannot boast of a noble origin, but he strives with all his might to become a “people person.” To do this, he chose an unmistakable tactic: “to please everyone... without exception.” Alexey Stepanovich does not distinguish between the master and his servant. He is impeccably courteous and polite with everyone. In relation to superior persons, Mochalin's devotion has no boundaries. He curries favor with Famusov and strives to serve Khlestova. Alexey Stepanovich is a mediocrity, an unscrupulous hypocrite and a sycophant. But none of the Famus guards notices this. The image of Molchalin is a portrait of a man who, with the help of simple techniques and tricks, makes his way into high society.
Molchalin and Chatsky
If most of the representatives of the Famusov guard (Famusov, Khlestova) are people of the older generation, then Molchalin is almost the same age as Chatsky. However, these representatives of the same generation are, in fact, completely different people. Their behavior in society and moral ideals are opposite. This is evidenced by Molchalin’s attitude towards service. By the hero’s own admission, he has only two talents - “moderation and accuracy.” He does not hide his own mediocrity; on the contrary, he is proud of it.
The behavior and worldview of Alexey Stepanovich is strictly regulated by his position. Since it is still very small, he has to be helpful and modest. Molchalin cannot do without influential patrons and is entirely dependent on them. Chatsky's independence seems obvious stupidity to Alexei Stepanovich.
Molchalin and Famusov
Unencumbered by special abilities, Alexey Stepanovich fits very organically into the conservative Famus society. Despite the enormous difference in social status and age, he has much in common with the famous Moscow “ace”. Molchalin’s attitude towards service is absolutely “Famusovsky”. He admits that he dreams of “winning awards and having fun.” He already has “three awards” in his arsenal, and each of them is a small step on the path to a brilliant career. Like Famusov, Alexey Stepanovich sacredly honors public opinion. Some quotes from Molchalin: “Ah! Evil tongues are worse than a pistol” and “At my age one should not dare/to have one’s own judgment” echo the final Famusov phrase: “Ah! my God! what will he say”/Princess Marya Alekseevna!”
Molchalin in love
Alexey Stepanovich skillfully pretends to be in love with the main character of the play. And here his desire to “please all people without exception” is manifested. Smart and selfless, Sophia does not notice the deception at all. She praises his shyness, respectfulness and timidity. Even the absence in him of “this mind... which is quick, brilliant...” seems to her to be a positive quality. Describing her lover to Chatsky, the girl does not notice how, according to I. A. Goncharov, “the portrait comes out vulgar.” Sofia has her own grief from her mind. Molchalin becomes the hero of a love story for her, in which she plays the role of a kind patroness.
However, Alexei Stepanovich has completely different inclinations. He likes the lively and cheerful Lisa much more. Moreover, he is not so stupid and believes that Sofia “Loved Chatsky once / She will stop loving me as much as he did.” But he is ready to give Lisa an intricately designed toilet and believes that this is enough to win love. Molchalin’s sober cynicism seems especially disgusting against the backdrop of the sincere feelings that he experiences.
The further fate of Molchalin
The loss of the main character's love does not mean complete defeat for Alexei Stepanovich. Despite the fact that he made a serious mistake, he managed to avoid Famusov's wrath. The “noble” father of the family splashed out all his indignation on the humiliated and insulted Sofia and the innocent Chatsky. The main character is thrown out of the door, accused of imaginary debauchery. They threaten to send Sofia to the village for misbehavior. Only Alexey Stepanovich leaves unnoticed. The comedy "Woe from Wit" does not give a definite answer regarding the fate of this hero. Molchalin will probably be able to pretend to be a victim of the current circumstances. It is impossible to stop his career. Chatsky was absolutely right when he predicted that Alexey Stepanovich would “reach the well-known levels.” The final scene of the comedy once again confirmed the sad truth that A. S. Griboyedov is trying to convey to his readers: “Silent people are blissful in the world,” while sincere and intelligent Chatskys become outcasts in society.
Images of famous writers
The image of a “wordless” man, gradually making his way up the career ladder, left no one indifferent. Belinsky in the mid-19th century wrote that Molchalin is a man who “does evil without benefit” according to the sole “command of the soul.” N.V. Gogol found that the “face” of Alexei Stepanovich was “aptly captured.” This is an image of a low and silent personality, quietly making its way into people. Saltykov-Shchedrin's attitude towards service inspired the creation of a series of essays entitled "Among the Moderate and Accurate." I. A. Goncharov, in his sketch “A Million Torments,” noted that in his time (1871) Molchalin’s sycophancy became archaic and “hidden... in the darkness.” However, comparisons of various people with the wordless and helpful character in “Woe from Wit” are still actively used in journalism.
Conclusion
Molchalin's quotes are a reflection of his life position. The desire to be useful and gain confidence in the right person, who: “Feeds and waters”, and maybe “and gives rank...” is relevant at all times. Alexey Stepanovich is a typical opportunist, unencumbered by creativity and creativity, but abundantly endowed with practical acumen and worldly intelligence. It is absolutely impossible to fight him. In any situation, this person will be able to stay afloat. How long will silent mediocrity be valued in the service, and how long will a bright, lively and independent mind be subjected to unfair persecution? This question is posed by A.S. Griboyedov in the satirical comedy "Woe from Wit". Silent people occupy leading positions, penetrate into all spheres of life, infiltrate any society and, by their very existence, hinder its development. However, the answer to this question has not been found to this day. Perhaps over time this state of affairs will change.
In Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" several typical characters were created that are well recognizable regardless of the era. Molchalin belongs to such images, so now it would be appropriate to briefly consider the characteristics of Molchalin, paying attention to the features that Griboedov 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 humble origin, a poor young man.
Famusov took Molchalin as his secretary from Tver and was able to “get” him the rank of assessor, which was highly valued 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. During Griboyedov’s time, the “archive youths” were treated with some contempt, since young people who wanted to avoid military service in this way were enrolled there. This information already helps to create a characterization of Molchalin from the comedy “Woe from Wit.”
In the house of his patron, Molchalin lives on the first floor, where there are servants’ rooms and utility rooms. For the sake of his career, Molchalin starts an affair with Sophia, Famusov’s daughter, while simultaneously caring for the maid Lisa.
Molchalin and Sophia
What else is interesting about Molchalin’s characterization? He admits that he is not interested in Sophia. No matter how hard Molchalin tries to awaken his feelings for her, nothing works, the hero still remains cold: “As soon as I meet, I’ll leave the sheet.” He is chasing the boss's daughter, hoping to benefit. Knowing Sophia’s inconstancy (“they loved Chatsky once, they will stop loving me like him”), he is not worried, he is more worried about Famusov’s reaction to their relationship.
Literary scholars have repeatedly asked the question: what attracted Sophia to Molchalin, why did she choose him over the intelligent 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 Molchalin’s characterization is his hypocrisy and duplicity: pretending to love Sophia, he courts Lisa, seducing her with gifts and not hesitating to quite brazenly and obsessively express his feelings. 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 telling surname. Molchalin is silent, quiet, he does not dare to have his own opinion, for fear of not pleasing important people. His main goal is to gain the trust of those who can provide patronage through helpfulness and subservience to them. Chatsky notes bitterly: “The silent ones 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 kind of covenant his father gives 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 boss’s servant, “the doorman, the janitor to avoid harm, the janitor’s dog to be affectionate.” The hero follows this principle. He tries to please Famusov, the “old men” at the balls. For this reason, he gives up dancing and fun, and spends the entire evening playing cards with elderly but noble gentlemen. Through helpfulness and modesty, Molchalin achieved good relations 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 searching for advantageous behavior, he is low, has no self-esteem, 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. Also read on our literary blog
Among the heroes of “Woe from Wit” (see summary, analysis and full text), Famusov stands at the top steps of the official and social ladder. Molchalin, being on the lower steps of the same ladder, tries to climb it, following the principles and life rules of his boss. Adulation and servility, common in Famus society, were instilled in him from childhood:
“My father bequeathed to me
says Molchalin,
First, please all people without exception;
The owner, where he will live,
The boss with whom I will serve,
To his servant, who cleans the dress,
Doorman, janitor, to avoid evil,
To the janitor’s dog, to be more affectionate.”
We can say that Molchalin really fulfills his father’s wills! We see how he tries to please the noble old woman Khlestova, how he praises and caresses her dog; and although Khlestova treats him very condescendingly (“Molchalin, here’s your little closet!”), however, she allows him to lead her by the arm, plays cards with him, calls him “my friend,” “dear,” and probably won’t refuse he has protection when he needs it. Molchalin is confident that he is going the right way and advises Chatsky to go “to Tatyana Yuryevna,” since, according to him, “we often find patronage there where we don’t aim.”
Woe from the mind. Maly Theater performance, 1977
Molchalin himself recognizes two “talents” in himself: “moderation” and “accuracy,” and there is no doubt that with such properties “he will reach the known levels,” as Chatsky notes, adding: “after all, nowadays they love the dumb.” Molchalin is truly dumb, since he not only does not express, but does not even have his own opinion - it is not for nothing that Griboedov called him “Molchalin”:
"At my age one should not dare
Have your own opinion,”
he says. Why risk “having your own judgment” when it is so much easier and safer to think, speak and act as the elders do, as Princess Marya Alekseevna does, as “everyone” does? And can Molchalin have his own opinion? He is undoubtedly stupid, limited, although cunning. This is a small soul. We see the baseness and meanness of his behavior with Sophia. He pretends to love her because he thinks it can be beneficial for him, and at the same time flirts with Lisa; he sneakily crawls on his knees in front of Sophia, begging for her forgiveness, and immediately after that he hurries to hide from Famusov’s anger, like a real coward. The pathetic type of Molchalin is depicted by Griboyedov with merciless realism.
“Silent people are blissful in the world.” The catchphrase lives on today. In the changed conditions of the modern world, it is not difficult to recognize and meet the “Molchalins”.
The image and characterization of Molchalin in the comedy “Woe from Wit” will help you understand which features have not undergone changes, who is hiding under the mask of a two-faced modesty.
Molchalin and Famusov
Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is the secretary of Famusov, the owner of the house in which the events of the comedy unfold. Famusov sheltered a poor nobleman from Tver, gave him the rank of assessor, and officially placed him in the service of the “Archives”. Molchalin is not young, an adult man (“ you and I are not guys...") I am happy with this situation. He is listed in the archive service, receives promotions, but does not leave Famusov’s house. In Alexey, the owner saw the features of a business man. All the other servants in the house are relatives. The ability to please becomes the basis of Molchalin’s character. Simple by origin, probably from a family of burghers, having received the rank, Alexei acquired the right to hereditary nobility. During his 3 years of service, he managed to receive 3 awards. Such career growth is an indicator of a man’s patience and desire to rise by any means as high and quickly as possible.Positive character traits
Griboyedov represents real characters, so they have positive and negative qualities. Molchalin is no exception.Modesty. Not many people can boast of the ability to communicate with people of different ages and levels of education. At Famusov's ball, Molchalin endures the whims and humiliations of grumpy old women, the stupidity of drunken revelers, and the affectation of young ladies.
Shyness and tact. Alexey, being next to the owner’s daughter, does not show arrogant or harsh actions. He tactfully tolerates Sofia’s attitude and skillfully hides his true feelings.
Taciturnity. The ability to remain silent is an unattainable quality for many. They get tired of their chatter. Here the situation is different:
“He will reach the known degrees, /After all, nowadays they love the dumb...”
Good manners and politeness. Molchalin behaves correctly in different situations. He easily apologizes, constructs phrases so that there is no desire to reproach or scold him.
Ability to make friends.
“Look, he gained the friendship of everyone in the house.”
Peacefully resolves any problems and disputes, for others he is able to forget about himself.
Calm. Molchalin is difficult to piss off. He does not express nervousness or anxiety even in the most difficult situations: a morning meeting with the owner, a fall from a horse.
Negative personality traits
Among representatives of high society, Alexey Stepanovich is shy and timid, but this is only a mask, a mask. Behind her are hidden features that do not make a man beautiful:Helpfulness. Molchalin strives to please everyone around him, hoping to make a pleasant impression and benefit. His father bequeathed to him to please all people, but his son went further. He grovels not only before people, but also before the animals of his owners. The purpose of this behavior is to achieve advancement at work and in personal relationships.
Duplicity. A man’s behavior changes depending on the situation and environment. With whom he communicates based on status, he behaves this way. He is polite with Countess Khlestova, and cheeky with the maid.
Not the ability to love. Molchalin builds his relationships for profit. He loves “by position.” This feeling has become very well known in the modern era when affairs are started for deception and profit. The secretary skillfully plays the role of a lover, conquers an intelligent and educated girl. Sophia is ready to go against the rumors and opinions of her father for his sake, but the response is deceptive.
Lack of own opinion. Molchalin never spoke out. He chose the tactic of silence, which others like. Gradually I lost the opportunity to have my own opinions.
The image of Molchalin easily survived the centuries. For many, the value of money, office and position in society is higher than honesty, patriotism and human dignity. The more clearly the stratification of society by wealth becomes visible, the more “Molchalins” appear, ready to sell their souls for money.
The work “Woe from Wit” by A.S. Griboyedov belongs to the comedy genre, the events took place at the beginning of the 19th century, in it the author showed images of Moscow nobles. The main theme of the work can be identified as the confrontation between the present century and the past, the difficult change of old ideals to new ones. On the side of the last century there was a significant number of people in comedy, one of them was a young nobleman who did not yet have any ranks of Molchalin. His task was to serve influential people.
Molchalin himself was a poor nobleman, born in Tver. In the comedy, he lived in Famusov’s house, who in turn took Molchalin as his secretary. Molchalin falls in love with Famusov's daughter and secretly meets with her. Famusov is an opponent of such relationships, because he believes that his daughter needs an influential husband with ranks. Although Molchalin does not meet these requirements, he has another quality that was appreciated by the inhabitants of Famusov’s house. He tried his best to serve in every possible way, and this attracted attention. That is why he managed to get the position of secretary, where business qualities are important, not honor.
In the work "Woe from Wit" the image of the protagonist can be called the standard behavior of a young nobleman surrounded by him. We see how he tries to serve, and if necessary, even humiliate himself in front of the influential guests of Famusov’s house, all this goes with the expectation that they can be useful in life and further service. Molchalin even took it for granted to praise the fur of Khlestova’s dog. To describe the hero, a quote is suitable that says that while “we are small in rank,” “we must depend on others.” He believes that while you are young, you don’t have to have your own opinion.
Famus society was famous for its boasting trait; at every opportunity it was common to praise new successes, and Molchalin was the same. He was a frequent guest of Princess Tatyana Yuryevna. Although in character and behavior Molchalin was the same as everyone else in society, although he agreed with everyone and supported ideas, this did not stop him from resorting to meanness. For example, his love for Sophia was only a fiction and he did it for his own benefit. In fact, he opens up sincerely when communicating with the maid Lisa, whom he liked. And here another character is revealed to the reader, you see that there is duplicity in him, which means such a person is dangerous.
There is not a drop of respect or warmth in his soul and heart for Sophia. He takes a great risk when he begins to secretly see Famusov’s daughter, because he was constantly in a state of fear that they would be noticed. This expresses cowardice. For Molchalin, an important role was played by the fact that he was worried about the opinions of others, and he was also afraid of what others would think of him. This meanness and deceit of his destroys him, because he begins to harm those with whom he has been surrounded for a long time. He remembered the words of his father, which said to please everyone without exception, which Molchalin followed. Based on this, we can draw a conclusion about the hero’s attitude towards the description of the ideal of the last century, despite the fact that he is still young.
The author showed Molchalin as a worthy continuation and example of conservative nobles. Such a society is characterized by the fact that for them rank and money come first; these two categories allow them to evaluate others. As already mentioned, Molchalin was cunning and two-faced, these are the two main qualities that describe the hero.
Griboyedov touched upon a problem in his comedy that is still relevant today. After all, many cases are known when there were the same people who did not see anything in their way and were ready to go through everything for the sake of their goals. This topic will be relevant as long as there are people among us with the same values as Molchalin and his society.
Essay on the topic Molchalin
The comedy “Woe from Wit,” written by Alexander Sergeevich Griboedov from 1822 to 1824, tells the story of secular society and life of those times. One of the central characters of the work is Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin, a man from the common people, striving for career growth.
Molchalin seems to be a decent young man, distinguished by his kindness and modesty. But in fact, all these qualities are just a mask that the hero uses to achieve his goals. His dream is a career, high rank and wealth. Respect among high society is the limit of his happiness. There are many different ways to achieve these goals. But Molchalin chooses the fastest and most negative one. He takes steps towards his dream with the help of flattery, hypocrisy and duplicity. He does it so subtly and imperceptibly that many may envy.
The hero worked as a secretary for Famusov, a rich and respected man. He did all the work conscientiously, spoke kindly and carefully, which is why Famusov liked him. He treated his master's daughter, Sophia, even better and even dared to play a young man in love. Naturally, he does not experience any high feelings towards the girl. On the contrary, he despises her and establishes relationships solely for his own benefit. Once, having offended a girl, he throws himself at her feet. The reason for this was far from repentance, but the fear of losing the trust of his master Famusov. Another person who was lucky enough to hear lies from Molchalin was Khlestova. He kindly played cards with her and complimented her dog. In fact, people are very pleased with such behavior towards them. Molchalin showed hypocrisy and helpfulness towards everyone living in the house: from servants to management. This was the hero's plan, which he strictly adhered to.
Thus, Molchalin in Griboedov’s comedy is a negative character. The reader cannot see any positive traits of the hero, but sees only hypocrisy and the desire to achieve a dubious goal through dirty means. With the help of this character, the author reveals a serious problem that still exists today. People who do not strive for anything high, but for fame and money, are ready to go over their heads and put on a mask of sincerity. Usually, having achieved their goals, such people live unhappy and lonely.
Option 3
In his comedy "Woe from Wit" Griboyedov talks about the nobles of Moscow in the 19th century, it was then that society split into conservatives and those who were impressed by the ideas of the Decembrists. The main idea of the work is the contrast between the present century and the past century, the replacement of outdated ideals of the nobles with completely new ones.
In comedy there are a huge number of supporters of old ideals. Admirers of the old principles are weighty and significant people in society, such as the landowner Famusov, Colonel Skalozub, and the younger generation, who are simply forced to serve the “old men,” also serve the old nobles. Molchalin is one of these young people who is forced to serve the old nobles with their orders.
Molchalin himself is a poor nobleman, born in Tver, he lives in the house of Famusov, who gave him the rank of assistant and hired him as a secretary. Molchalin is also the lover of Famusov’s daughter, but Famusov himself does not know about this. The father does not want to have a son-in-law like Molchalin, because in Moscow it is customary to have rich relatives. Famusov appreciates in people the desire to serve him, and this is how Molchalin, with the help of his helpfulness, receives such positions.
In this play, the image of Molchalin very accurately corresponds to the nature of the command of a young, fragile nobleman in an influential society. Molchalin tries to curry favor with distinguished guests in Famusov’s house as much as possible, because they can be useful for his further career growth. The young nobleman has sunk to the point where he begins to praise the fur of Khlestova’s dog. He believes that lower-ranking nobles should thus earn respect from their elders.
He, like all the characters in this comedy, considers it his duty to brag and be proud of his successes in career advancement. Molchalin is excellent at establishing connections with the people he needs, who can help him in his career. Molchalin brings enormous damage to the society in which he is located. He also deceives Famusov’s daughter, because he is courting her only for the sake of service to her father. He is the kind of person who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, and is capable of causing enormous damage to the society in which he is located.
Almost every Russian poet in his works first of all tried to convey his feelings, emotions, love. That is why often every poem of poets is their story. One of the famous Russian poets
In 1914, A. Kuprin’s work “The Pit” appeared, in which he raises the topic of corrupt love. This is the first writer who was not afraid to reveal the lives of women who sell their love.
The main character of the work is Grishka Chelkash, presented in the image of an experienced, dexterous and brave thief.
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In Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" the main opposing array of events occurs in the images of Chatsky and Famusov. The remaining acting characters help reveal the true state of affairs and the depth of the conflict.
Origin and occupation
One of these characters, with the help of which the tragedy of what is happening is enhanced, is the image of Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with A. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”
Molchalin does not belong to the aristocracy - he is a man of ignoble origin, but thanks to his service, he has access to high society.
Alexey Stepanovich has not yet managed to rise to significant heights - he currently only holds the position of Famusov’s secretary, but he holds out hope for a quick career advancement, which arouses Famusov’s special love.
Pavel Afanasyevich allocated a room in his house for Molchalin, although it is difficult to call it a full-fledged room: it is most likely a small closet, but Molchalin, deprived of fate, is quite happy with this.
Alexey Stepanovich has been working as Famusov’s personal secretary for three years now, however, he is registered in a completely different position - based on official data, Molchalin works in the archives department, but in practice this is a fictitious thing, he is just listed there. However, not without benefit for himself - during such service he received three awards.
Of course, this was Famusov’s exceptional work. This situation is also beneficial to Famusov and allowed him to get out of a difficult situation - he provided himself with a good secretary and, moreover, he had to pay out of his own pocket.
The text mentions Molchalin's rootlessness, but there is no exact explanation. Based on this, several assumptions can be made regarding the essence of such a statement. The first is that Molchalin is a man of simple origin, the second is that he is an orphan, that is, a person without a family.
The writer portrays Alexei Stepanovich Molchalin as an adult man. At the same time, Molchalin rejects even the possibility of his infantility. Famusov, for whom the hero serves, takes advantage of Alexei’s position. Officially, the hero works in the “Archives” because Famusov agreed so. However, this is a simple formality for obtaining ranks. Molchalin’s real place of work is Famusov’s house. The latter provides its employee with food, drink, shelter, and career advancement. Molchalin, apparently, knows how to please Famusov.
Before working with Famusov in Moscow, the hero lived in Tver. Molchalin, of course, is not a rich man at all. The simplicity of the hero’s origin makes us make the assumption that Molchalin is a tradesman. According to the Table of Ranks, the hero holds the rank of collegiate assessor. This rank gives the right to nobility, which is what Molchalin achieves. The man even manages to receive awards, in which Molchalin was probably helped by his master.
Symbolism of the surname
The image of Molchalin carries symbolic features. This is primarily due to his last name. It is based on the verb “to remain silent.” And indeed, this word is an accurate reflection of the essence of Molchalin. He is Famusov's silent and faceless servant. Even his step is devoid of any sounds. It seems that he wants to be as unnoticed and quiet as possible.
From time to time, Alexey Stepanovich moves on tiptoe so as not to disturb his household. This behavior is one of the ways to achieve his life goal.
Purpose of life
While most aristocrats are devoid of purpose in life and lazily live their lives without filling it with any meaning, Molchalin’s life has a pronounced character. His goal is to succeed and achieve significant achievements in life. Achievements in the eyes of Molchalin are in no way connected with improving the lives of ordinary, ignoble people or promoting the development of morality of the aristocracy. Alexey Stepanovich’s highest goal is to become a full-fledged representative of high society.
Molchalin is ready to die for the next promotion, so he serves Famusov with all his might - it is Pavel Afanasyevich who can help him achieve this goal. And Molchalin had already overcome the first step on this steep ladder - thanks to his ability to suck up and please the Famusovs, he was given the rank of collegiate assessor. Thus, Alexey Stepanovich turned from a commoner into a poor nobleman. Molchalin found a special charm in the fact that his rank tended to be inherited.
Molchalin and Sofya Famusova
You can further improve your position in society through a profitable marriage. For this, girls needed to have a charming figure and an equally charming face. In the case of the male half of society, it was enough to have a helpful character. It is the ability to serve well that becomes the criterion for favor. Despite his low origins and financial insolvency, in the eyes of Famusov, Alexei Stepanovich looks like a more attractive son-in-law than the noble aristocrat Chatsky. The fact is that Pavel Afanasyevich believes that such wealth and diligence, which Molchalin possesses, can compensate for his origin and achieve an advantageous position in society. To achieve a final advantage over other young people, Molchalin can only accumulate significant capital or start attacking Famusov from another front - if Sonya falls in love with Alexei Stepanovich, then she will be able to convince her father to make a decision in his favor.
Alexey Stepanovich accelerates this process by beginning to show interest in Famusov’s daughter, Sophia.
The relationship between young people follows the best traditions of platonic love - Molchalin does not allow anything unnecessary in relation to the girl.
Thus, he demonstrates his respectful attitude towards Sophia and the seriousness of his intentions. In addition, such behavior contributes to achieving his goal with marriage - Molchalin does not need to possess Sonya, he needs to become her husband, so debauchery is an unacceptable thing for him.
We offer a comparison in A. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”
In communicating with Sophia, Alexey Stepanovich adheres to the same principle as with her father - he pleases her all the time. Naturally, Molchalin’s behavior differs sharply from the behavior of other aristocrats towards her. Young people of noble origin are not ready to grovel before Sonya the way Molchalin does, which is why they do not arouse such interest in her.
To some extent, Famusova’s attachment to Molchalin was caused by the lack of proper candidates - after Chatsky’s departure, the girl chooses the least evil from the remaining ones. At the time of the emergence of attachment and the beginning of communication, Sonya did not experience enthusiasm and love attraction for Molchalin, her act could be regarded as revenge on Chatsky, but as a result, such an act did not bring the desired effect, Sonya eventually got used to Molchalin’s oddities and began to perceive them as ordinary things . In Molchalin, Sonya has found a wonderful “living toy”; he not only treats her with adoration (which, as it turned out, was feigned), but is also ready to fulfill any of her desires.
Chatsky and Molchalin
The conflict between Chatsky and Molchalin was a priori predetermined - an honest and noble aristocrat cannot understand and accept the position of Famusov and his society, Alexey Stepanovich, who is not only dependent on Famusov, but also strives to become like them, could become an excellent opponent to Chatsky , if he had more persistence and individuality, however, since Alexey Stepanovich is used to being a silent observer and never revealing his attitude to certain situations, there is no heated discussion between the characters.
In addition, the insightful Chatsky notices Alexei Stepanovich’s strange attitude towards Sonya Famusova. Over time, he discovers Molchalin's true attitude towards the girl and his ghostly love. Chatsky is amazed by Molchalin’s double standards - on the one hand, he is ready to flatter immensely, but, on the other hand, he immediately does not neglect to publicly announce his disdain and even disgust for those whom he idolized just a couple of minutes ago.
Attempts to open the eyes of others to the fallacy of their opinions do not lead to anything good - it is more flattering for others to perceive their superiority than to realize that all the respect towards them was a farce.
Molchalin and Lisa
No matter how two-faced Molchalin may be, he still sometimes reveals his true feelings and intentions. This state of affairs is not exposed in discussions or small talk (since he tries in advance not to take part in them).
So, for example, Alexei Stepanovich develops a feeling of affection and love towards the maid in Famusov’s house, Liza. The hero of the story is faced with a choice - to play his role as Sonya's lover to the end or to confess his feelings to Lisa.
Unfortunately, as a dishonest person, Molchalin is not limited to this state of affairs and cares for two girls at once.
Thus, Alexey Stepanovich Molchalin is a classic version of a character playing a double game. This trend continues in the case of Molchalin in all types of activities. He is hypocritical towards Famusov and plays with Sonya’s feelings.
Alexei Stepanovich is characterized by resigned and silent servility. For the sake of moving up the social ladder, he is ready to do even the most immoral acts. The image of Molchalin has become a household name and is used in relation to a dishonest, hypocritical person.
Character of Molchalin
The hero makes a double impression. On the one hand, Molchalin pleases everyone (the man is a real master at this), he is shy, helpful, timid, calm, timid, modest, quiet, “wordless.” He is characterized by accuracy, moderation, and lack of criticism of others. This is probably why they love him. But on the other hand, the hero is also characterized by duplicity and hypocrisy. Molchalin is considered a well-mannered and polite person; the hero evokes sympathy among those around him. Society does not see the true nature of the hero. On the contrary, in Molchalin they see a selfless person, ready to forget about his own interests for the sake of others.
However, Molchalin pleases and remains silent for the sake of self-interest, in order to achieve his goal. This was the parting word the father gave to the hero. The hero's behavior depends on the circumstances. For example, with Famusov’s daughter, the man behaves emphatically politely and modestly. But Molchalin does not truly love Sophia. The hero is in love with Lisa. However, there is no need to behave decently with a simple girl. The true face of Molchalin is seen, perhaps, only by Chatsky, who considers the assessor a stupid, cowardly and pathetic person. However, Vyazemsky, on the contrary, emphasizes the hero’s prudence and rational approach to life. Molchalin's soul is cold and callous. The maid Lisa later speaks about this.
