« L’Avare » is a comedy by Molière that centers around the character of Harpagon, a wealthy but miserly old man. Harpagon is obsessed with accumulating wealth and is notorious for his extreme stinginess. He is so consumed by his love for money that he prioritizes it over the well-being of his children and anyone else around him.
The play begins with Harpagon’s plans for the marriages of his children, Élise and Cléante. However, his plans are driven solely by financial gain, as he intends to marry Élise to a wealthy old man and Cléante to a wealthy widow, ignoring their feelings and desires. Meanwhile, Harpagon himself is pursuing the young Mariane, whom Cléante also loves.
As the plot unfolds, Harpagon’s greed and selfishness create chaos and conflict within his family and household. His children scheme to thwart his marriage plans and pursue their own desires, while Harpagon’s servants resent his miserliness and plot against him.
Ultimately, Harpagon’s greed leads to his downfall when he discovers that his beloved hidden treasure has been stolen. In a moment of desperation, he offers a reward for its return, unwittingly exposing himself to ridicule and humiliation. In the end, the stolen treasure is recovered, and Harpagon is forced to confront the consequences of his obsession with wealth.
« L’Avare » is a satirical exploration of the destructive power of greed and the absurdity of extreme miserliness. Through its humorous characters and witty dialogue, Molière criticizes the moral emptiness of a life devoted solely to the pursuit of wealth, while also offering a message of redemption and forgiveness.