Woe from Wit (Griboyedov)
Short summary
Moscow, early 19th century. After three years abroad, Alexander Chatsky returned home, eager to reunite with Moscow society and his beloved Sophie. Upon arrival, he observed stagnancy, superficiality, and hypocrisy among the city's aristocracy.
Chatsky openly criticized the society's obsession with status, wealth, and rank, opposing subservience and deceit. His wit and sharp tongue quickly attracted attention and resentment from the people around him. Despite his hope of renewing romance with Sophie, he discovered she had secretly fallen for Molchalin, a quiet, obedient man of modest position and character.
As Chatsky continued his ardent denunciations, Sophie, responding angrily to his sarcasm toward Molchalin, maliciously implied Chatsky was insane. This accusation rapidly spread, readily accepted by Moscow's elite society, reinforcing their disdain for his non-conformity.
Late at night, Sophie discovered that Molchalin feigned affection, merely acting on his father's advice to maintain favorable connections. Chatsky overheard their confrontation and felt anguished and betrayed. Outraged, he confronted Sophie before the whole household learned of the incident. The discovery scandalized her father, who blamed Chatsky entirely and threatened to ruin his reputation in Moscow.
Chatsky bitterly accepted Moscow society's judgments, reflecting:
all declared me mad, in one concerted choir:
and right they were. Take it for a fact:
a man could pass unharmed through fire
who spent a day with them with mind intact.
Detailed summary by acts and scenes
Act and scene titles are editorial.
Act 1. Chatsky's return and his interest in Sophie
The play opens at dawn in a drawing room of Pavel Afanasievich Famusov's Moscow house. Liza, Sophie's maid, has fallen asleep in an armchair after staying up all night to keep watch while her mistress entertained a visitor in her bedroom. The sound of a flute and piano can be heard from Sophie's room. As Liza wakes and tries to rouse Sophie, Famusov enters, having heard the music. Liza attempts to cover for her mistress, claiming Sophie was reading aloud all night.
When Sophie finally emerges from her room, she is accompanied by Molchalin, Famusov's secretary who lives in the house. Their intimate conversation is interrupted when Famusov returns unexpectedly and discovers them together. Molchalin quickly claims he came to show Famusov some papers that needed his attention. Famusov, suspicious but not yet certain of their relationship, lectures his daughter about propriety and the dangers of French books and foreign influences.
After Famusov and Molchalin leave, Liza warns Sophie about the dangers of scandal, saying, "It doesn't matter if the wrong you've done is buried in oblivion: It only matters if it's talked about." Their conversation is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Alexander Chatsky, who has just returned to Moscow after three years abroad. Chatsky greets Sophie warmly and passionately, clearly hoping to rekindle their former relationship.
Act 2. Social tensions and Sophie's interest in Molchalin
Act 2 begins with Famusov dictating his schedule to his servant Pyotr. Chatsky interrupts them, eager to continue his conversation with Sophie. Famusov notices Chatsky's persistent interest in his daughter and questions whether he intends to propose marriage. Chatsky responds that he would consider it, but when Famusov suggests he should join the civil service and manage his neglected property, Chatsky firmly rejects the idea of servility.
Service, not servility: There I draw the line... You need to emulate your elders, sir... That he who had the most resilient back
Was most admired at court; that not in war
But peacetime, he was pleased to risk his neck
Famusov responds by telling the story of his uncle Maxim Petrovich, who gained favor at Catherine the Great's court by deliberately falling three times to make the Empress laugh. Chatsky is disgusted by this tale of servility disguised as loyalty to the state. Their argument is interrupted by the arrival of Colonel Skalozub, whom Famusov clearly favors as a potential son-in-law due to his military rank and prospects.
Famusov praises Moscow society to Skalozub, highlighting its traditions, hospitality, and social hierarchies. When Skalozub remarks that the 1812 fire greatly improved Moscow's appearance, Chatsky interjects with a sharp observation about the persistence of old prejudices despite the new buildings. This provokes Chatsky into a lengthy tirade against the corrupt older generation, whom he sees as hypocritical arbiters of society.
Show us these great men, where do they keep state,
these fathers of our country we're to emulate?
Are these the robber barons, profiteers, and crooks
protected from the law by friend and relative
Their conversation is suddenly interrupted when Sophie rushes in, crying out that someone has fallen and been killed. She faints, and it is revealed that Molchalin has fallen from his horse. When he is brought in with his arm in a sling, Sophie's excessive concern betrays her feelings for him. Chatsky, observing her reaction, begins to suspect that Sophie loves Molchalin rather than himself or Skalozub.
After Chatsky leaves the room in frustration, Sophie and Molchalin have a private moment. Sophie expresses her deep concern and affection, while Molchalin appears more reserved, warning her about the dangers of indiscretion: "An idle tongue's more deadly than a firearm." When Sophie leaves, Molchalin attempts to seduce Liza, revealing his true character as he tells her that his relationship with Sophie is merely for advancement, while Liza is the object of his genuine desire.
Act 3. The rumor of madness
Scene 1. Chatsky's bitter discoveries
Act 3 opens with Chatsky alone, determined to discover which man—Molchalin or Skalozub—has won Sophie's heart. When Sophie appears, he directly asks whom she loves. She evades his question, and their conversation becomes increasingly tense as Chatsky criticizes Molchalin. Sophie defends Molchalin, praising his modesty, patience, and consideration for others, which only increases Chatsky's suspicion and jealousy.
When Molchalin enters, Chatsky engages him in conversation, probing his character. Molchalin reveals his philosophy of deference and caution, explaining that he prefers not to express his own views and instead defers to others, especially those in positions of authority.
I'd rather not express my views...
I'd never dare. I'm far too young... It's better practice, nine times out of ten,
deferring to the views of other men... I know my place. I'm not a fool.
Chatsky is disgusted by Molchalin's servile attitude and cannot believe that Sophie could love such a man. He reflects on the stark contrast between Moscow and the places he visited during his travels, noting how in Moscow, old prejudices persist despite superficial changes. He longs for a place where he might feel more at home, yet acknowledges the pull of one's homeland.
Where's it better? Where we are not... the very smoke of home
is sweet and pleasant to the hearts of men... New houses, but old prejudices linger.
Rest assured, not fashion's iron decree,
nor time nor fire can prize them utterly
Scene 2. The rumor of madness spreads
Scene 2 takes place later that evening as guests begin to arrive for Famusov's gathering. Chatsky meets Natalya Dmitrievna, a former acquaintance who is now married to Platon Mikhailovich. Natalya controls her husband completely, preventing him from returning to military service despite his nostalgia for his army days. Chatsky observes how marriage has changed his once-spirited friend into a submissive husband.
More guests arrive, including Prince and Princess Tugo-Ukhovsky with their six daughters, the Countesses Khryumin (grandmother and granddaughter), and Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky, a known cheat and slanderer who nonetheless remains welcome in society. Sophie emerges from her room and becomes the center of attention. Zagoretsky presents her with a theater ticket, which she graciously accepts despite his dubious reputation.
Anfisa Nilovna Khlyostova, Famusov's sister-in-law, arrives and mentions her Moorish girl and Pekingese dog. When Zagoretsky is identified as the source of these exotic gifts, Khlyostova simultaneously denounces him as a "cardsharp, slander monger, thief" and praises his generosity. Chatsky laughs at this contradiction, offending Khlyostova, who remembers him from his youth.
Skalozub and Molchalin enter, with Famusov eagerly introducing the colonel to Khlyostova. Molchalin ingratiates himself with the elderly woman by complimenting her dog and arranging her card game. When Chatsky sarcastically praises Molchalin's ability to flatter, Sophie becomes angry and leaves. In conversation with another guest, Sophie suggests that Chatsky is not in his right mind. The guest takes her comment literally and begins spreading the rumor that Chatsky has gone mad.
The rumor spreads rapidly through the gathering. Each guest contributes a supposed example of Chatsky's madness: Khlyostova claims he laughed at her inappropriately, Molchalin says Chatsky advised him to quit his job, and the Countess Granddaughter reports that he compared her to her milliner. Famusov adds that Chatsky's mother suffered from mental illness, while others attribute his condition to excessive drinking or dangerous new ideas.
Unaware of the rumor, Chatsky delivers a passionate monologue criticizing Russian society's slavish imitation of French customs and fashions. He laments the loss of Russian identity and language, noting how a visiting Frenchman from Bordeaux feels perfectly at home in Moscow because Russians have abandoned their own culture. As he concludes his speech, he looks around to find that no one is listening—the guests are either waltzing or playing cards, completely indifferent to his critique.
But just suppose a young man should appear
who has no use for rank, or office, who prefers
to study, to engage with men long dead,
to learn the best of what's been thought and said,
they raise the hue and cry: Help! Fire!
Act 4. Final revelations and departure
Act 4 takes place in the entrance hall of Famusov's house late at night as guests are departing. Various characters comment on the evening as they leave. Chatsky, waiting for his carriage, reflects bitterly on his dashed hopes and the cold reception he received. He is interrupted by Repetilov, who stumbles into the hall, falls, and then enthusiastically greets Chatsky as his dearest friend.
Repetilov launches into a self-deprecating monologue about his wasteful past and his current association with a group of supposedly enlightened men who meet secretly at the English Club. He urges Chatsky to join them, describing their passionate but ultimately purposeless discussions. Repetilov's enthusiasm for these meetings is captured in his excited declaration about their activities.
We must throw off this yoke
constricting us with rules of etiquette
day in, day out, from sunrise to sunset... I've stopped hunting down diversions all night long... To stir the pot, to stir the pot, mon cher!
Chatsky declines Repetilov's invitation, and as more guests depart, Repetilov learns about the rumor of Chatsky's madness. Initially skeptical, he eventually accepts it when confronted by the unanimous opinion of the other guests. After everyone leaves, Chatsky emerges from hiding, having overheard conversations about his supposed insanity. He is bewildered and angered by this malicious rumor.
As Chatsky contemplates this new humiliation, he sees Sophie at the top of the stairs, calling for Molchalin. Realizing she is planning a late-night rendezvous with Molchalin, Chatsky hides behind a column to observe. Liza comes down first to summon Molchalin for her mistress. When Molchalin emerges from his room, he attempts to seduce Liza, revealing that he has no genuine feelings for Sophie and is only pursuing her for advancement in Famusov's household.
Make yourself agreeable to all, bar none.
The mistress and the master where you lodge,
your employer, with the key to your promotion,
his servant, so he'll put your clothes in order,
the doorman and the footman and the porter
Sophie, who has secretly descended the stairs, overhears this conversation and confronts Molchalin. Devastated by his betrayal, she rejects his attempts at reconciliation and demands that he leave the house by morning. As Molchalin grovels, Sophie remarks that at least their humiliation is hidden by darkness and not witnessed by someone like Chatsky. At this point, Chatsky reveals himself, stepping between them.
Molchalin retreats to his room while Sophie and Liza cry out in shock. Chatsky bitterly reproaches Sophie for rejecting his sincere love in favor of a "low, conniving knave." Their confrontation is interrupted by Famusov, who enters with servants carrying candles. Finding his daughter with Chatsky at this hour, Famusov assumes they were having an assignation and that the rumor of madness was a ruse to cover their relationship.
Famusov angrily threatens to send Sophie to live with her aunt in Saratov, to send Liza back to her village, and to ensure that Chatsky is barred from every respectable house in Moscow. Chatsky, now fully disillusioned with Sophie, Moscow society, and Russia itself, delivers a final passionate speech denouncing the hypocrisy and malice he has encountered. He resolves to leave Moscow immediately, seeking somewhere he can "set insulted sense to rights."
I'm off to search the wide world round
for somewhere I can go to ground
and set insulted sense to rights.
My carriage! Bring my carriage round!
As Chatsky departs, Famusov remains preoccupied with how the scandal will affect his social standing, particularly wondering what Princess Mary will say about the incident. The play ends with Famusov's concern for appearances rather than any genuine reflection on the events that have transpired or the brilliant young man they have driven away.