The Miser

Another rivalry is created in Act 3, this time between Harpagon’s loyal servant, Master Jacques, and Valere. Master Jacques is first ousted from his role as chef, when Valere insists he can make a fine dinner with no money. Then, he is replaced as the livery boy when the kind-hearted servant refuses to work the already starving and exhausted horses. Finally, Master Jacques, who prides himself on telling the truth, tells Harpagon what people are saying behind his back. When Harpagon hands Valere the whip to chase and beat Master Jacques, this is the final straw: Master Jacques swears off his truth-telling ways, vowing to only lie from this point forward. This is a turning point for the character and foreshadows more conflict between him and Valere to come in later acts.

Harpagon’s mistreatment of Master Jacques and his preference for Valere’s flattery also touches on two key themes in the play. First, The Dangers of Greed are once again raised, as Master Jacques’s complaints and warnings reveal that Harpagon’s miserliness is causing damage to his household even when it comes to his livestock: His horses are sick and starving due to their stingy owner’s neglect. Even when Master Jacques tries to tell Harpagon that his miserly ways are turning him into a subject of gossip and mockery around Paris, Harpagon refuses to see how his greed is having negative consequences for him. Instead, he prefers Valere’s praises and assurances that all can be done cheaply and easily. Since Valere is speaking only from his own ulterior motives, and not sincerely, Harpagon does not notice that one of The Consequences of Flattery is deception. His plans are at risk due to his unthinking trust of Valere and his praises. 

Marianne makes her first appearance in Act 3, and it is revealed from the start that everything Frosine promised Harpagon is a lie. Marianne is not attracted to older men at all, and in fact has another lover in mind to marry, Cleante. The theme of True Love versus Transactional Relationships is invoked in this scene, as Marianne and Frosine debate whether she should follow through on her mother’s dying wish to marry wealthy, or follow her heart. When Frosine reminds her that Harpagon will probably die soon, leaving her rich, Marianne answers, “What a dreadful idea, waiting for someone to die so that I can be happy” (37). Marianne is tormented by the choice she must make. Unlike Elise, who tries to hold onto her higher status and wealth, this marriage is Marianne’s chance to leave her lower status and poverty behind.

Once Harpagon enters the room, Marianne grows even more distraught, and Frosine’s lies are exposed not only to the audience this time, but also to Harpagon. Frosine must work to convince Harpagon that Marianne’s silence upon seeing him is normal. She says, “She’s a bit overcome, monsieur. You know how bashful young girls are” (38). The comedy unfolds as Marianne makes comment after comment about how hideous he is and Frosine must lie even more to fix it. The Consequences of Flattery are again exposed and mocked, as Frosine’s scheming to win Harpagon’s favor has been based on lies that are now getting harder and harder to maintain with Marianne actually present.

One final turning point in Act 3 concerns Marianne’s true love, Cleante. When he enters the room and finds her there, he can hardly hide his true affection. In a move that infuriates Harpagon, Cleante begins to speak on his father’s behalf, even going so far as to take a diamond ring off of Harpagon’s finger and give it to Marianne. He hands it to her, saying, “[M]adame, it is in your hands that it is beautiful. My father gives it to you” (40). By this point, Harpagon is choking and sputtering with contempt. Cleante presents it as his father insisting her to take the ring, when in fact he is doing all he can to stop Cleante. However, he does not want to come across as rude to Marianne, so Harpagon is left with no choice but to let her take it. As soon as she is off the stage, he lets his true feelings be known. This is the first time Cleante has so deliberately disobeyed Harpagon, and it sets up their battle for the rest of the play.