Act 3, Scene 1 Summary

Clitandre and Acaste, the two marquis, speak alone. Clitandre asks Acaste if he is content. Acaste answers with a long list of his own best qualities. Clitandre teases him, asking why he hangs around Celimene when he doesn't have a chance with her. Acaste claims he is not like other men who hang around a woman who does not really care for him. When Clitandre says that Acaste is deluded, Acaste becomes sarcastic. Clitandre proposes a solution; if Celimene shows a preference for either of them, the other will back off. Acaste agrees.

Act 3, Scene 1 Analysis

Clitandre and Acaste are too arrogant to realize that they are being deceived by Celimene. These two marquis are so removed from honesty that neither suspects that she is duping them both. Although Alceste hopes for the best, at least he is honest enough to...