A brief retelling of the plot of Griboyedov’s play “Woe from Wit”
The action of the play reflects the events of one day. Chatsky, a young nobleman, after a three-year absence returns to the Famusovs’ house, where he was raised. Here he had a girlfriend, Sofya Famusova, with whom he was in love. During his absence, Sophia began secretly from her father to meet with the poor clerk Molchalin. The eldest Famusov wants to marry his daughter to Colonel Skalozub, no longer a young, but rich groom.
Sophia’s new lover is actually fascinated by the maid Liza, and only flirts with Famusova’s daughter in the hope of further favor with her father and a rise up the career ladder. Chatsky sees all this and constantly mocks the choice of his former lover. The hero is also not happy with the habits of the local society - the desire to blindly imitate the West and the lack of desire to engage in self-enlightenment. He openly speaks out about his observations at the Famusovs’ dinner party.
Sophia, outraged that her childhood friend is making fun of her Molchalin and their relationship, starts a rumor about his madness. Society supports this guess, as it does not accept Chatsky’s ideas and statements. By the end of the day, Famusov learns about his daughter’s secret dates and realizes that his plans for a profitable marriage are ruined. Sophia, realizing that Molchalin was deceiving her, drives him away. Chatsky makes an accusatory speech and leaves the Famusovs’ house.
Heroes of the work "Woe from Wit"
Famusov Pavel Afanasyevich
- a wealthy landowner and official who serves as a manager in a government agency. Pavel Afanasyevich is a widower raising a daughter. He is too confused by what others think of him. His main values: cronyism, wealth, high ranks. Pavel Afanasyevich is wary of educated “upstarts” and the education of the masses. For his only daughter Sofia, Famusov chose a worthy groom - no longer young, but respected and financially secure officer Skalozub.
Famusova Sofya Pavlovna
- a seventeen-year-old noblewoman, the only daughter of Famusov. The girl grew up without a mother, but her upbringing did not suffer from this. She turned out to be a smart, attractive and progressive young lady. Like other girls of marriageable age, Sophia plays musical instruments, sings, dances, and is fluent in French. Having fallen in love with the poor Molchalin, the girl meets with him secretly, since her father considers her position in society very important and is unlikely to approve of such a union. Sophia spreads rumors about Chatsky's madness, thus wanting to take revenge on him for teasing Molchalin.
Molchalin Alexey Stepanovich
- a young, unnamed man who serves as a secretary at the Famusovs’ house. Since childhood, Molchalin has been accustomed to please others for the sake of profit. He doesn’t represent anything special, he keeps his opinions to himself and agrees with those who are of a higher rank and are not burdened with a special mind. To please his master, he takes care of his daughter, who is completely indifferent to him, while secretly sympathizing with the maid Lisa.
Chatsky Alexander Andreevich
- a young nobleman, a pupil of the Famusov house. He was orphaned early, grew up next to Sophia and was in love with her for a long time. Chatsky grew up as a man of the “new generation”: he is proud, smart and denies the values of the Moscow nobility. Returning from a long trip abroad, the young man learns about the relationship between Sophia and Molchalin. His pride is offended, he harasses his opponent with attacks and encounters an unexpectedly sharp rebuff from his former lover.
Skalozub Sergey Sergeevich
- a rich bachelor, colonel, careerist. A man of limited views, he is only interested in awards and promotion in military service. Famusov really likes him and has his eye on him as a husband for his daughter.
Repetilov
- Chatsky's comrade, nobleman. A funny and awkward person who has failed with his career and family life. Lover of revelry and parties.
Lisa
- serf servant in the Famusovs' house. A flighty, but not stupid person. Famusov and Molchalin like the girl, but she breathes unevenly in the direction of the bartender Petrusha.
Zagoretsky Anton Antonovich
- a nobleman, an acquaintance of Famusov.
Khlestova Anfisa Nilovna
- sister of Famusov’s late wife.
Gorich Platon Mikhailovich
- retired officer, nobleman.
Gorich Natalya Dmitrievna
a - a young noblewoman, the wife of Platon Mikhailovich.
Tugoukhovsky Pyotr Ilyich
- Prince, deaf old man.
Tugoukhovskaya Marya Alekseevna
- wife of Pyotr Ilyich, mother of six daughters of marriageable age.
Countesses Khryumina
- an ancient grandmother and granddaughter looking for a spouse.
Parsley
- serf servant of the Famusovs.
Summary of Griboyedov's comedy play "Woe from Wit" by action
Moscow. Beginning of the 19th century. House of a wealthy official Famusov.
Act I. The return of Chatsky or the “third wheel”
Behind the back of the owner of the house, the wealthy official Famusov, his daughter Sofia and secretary Molchalin secretly meet at night. The maid Lisa watches the door while the couple communicates. Famusov begins to suspect something is wrong, but suspicions are put aside with the arrival of Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, a pupil of the Famusov house, who was absent for three long years. Before his departure, Alexander Andreevich was in love with Sophia and she reciprocated his feelings. Without forgetting his feelings, Chatsky again hopes to gain the favor of a girl who is not at all happy with him. Sophia is in love with Molchalin, although she hopes that their meetings remain secret. The girl does not know how to tell Chatsky the name of her lover. Sophia's father is not happy with these two suitors of his daughter; in his opinion, Colonel Skalozub would be the best match for her.
Act II. Chatsky finds out who became his rival
Chatsky appears in the Famusovs’ house and talks with Famusov. According to Chatsky, it is ridiculous and wrong to chase rank and wealth. Famusov is not satisfied with such sayings of the student and when Skalozub comes to visit him, he takes him to his office, away from the “troublemaker.” Sophia watches Molchalin through the window and sees him fall from his horse. Overworried, the girl loses consciousness. Chatsky sees everything and guesses who Sophia’s secret lover is. It turns out that Molchalin was not injured; when he is alone with the maid Liza, he confesses his love to the girl. Lisa is outraged by this and condemns the secretary for deception and false courtship of Sophia. The serf herself likes the servant Petrusha, Molchalin is indifferent to her.
Act III. Party evening at the Famusovs' house
An explanation takes place between Chatsky and Sophia. Realizing that he is rejected, Chatsky begins to reproach Sophia and does not speak very flatteringly about her new lover. Sophia is hurt by Chatsky’s words, and she leaves him, hurrying to another secret meeting.
Guests are coming to see the Famusovs. During a conversation with one of the invitees, Sophia says that Chatsky is out of his mind. Word of his madness quickly spreads among the other guests. When Chatsky arrives, he notices that everyone is looking at him like he’s crazy.
Act IV. Exposure
After the guests leave, Repetilov runs in to the Famusovs. An old comrade invites Chatsky to the English Club, but he decides to stay. Chatsky, hiding behind a column, overhears Molchalin chasing after Liza. The sly man again confesses his love to the maid, and Sophia hears this conversation. In a rage, the girl drives the deceiver out of the house. Chatsky enters and expresses his indignation to Sophia about the spread of rumors about his madness. Famusov appears, scolds and shames his daughter for indecent behavior and promises her “exile” to the village as part of educational measures. He forbids Chatsky to care for his daughter, but this is unnecessary - Alexander Andreevich is disappointed in Sophia and in Moscow society. He wants to leave Moscow forever and calls a carriage.
Summary of the comedy “Woe from Wit” by Griboyedov
Act I
Phenomenon 1
The maid Lisa is sleeping in the living room in front of her young lady Sophia's bedroom. They are playing music behind the doors. Lisa wakes up and knocks on her owner’s door, reminding her that it’s time for her lover to leave. The girl sets the clock to make noise.
Phenomenon 2
Enter Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov, Sophia's father. He asks the maid about the strange sounds of music. Lisa defends the hostess and says that she spent the whole night reading in French, falling asleep only in the morning.
The master flirts with the maid, but the girl reminds him that this is indecent.
Phenomenon 3
Sophia and secretary Molchalin come out. The young lady is angry with the maid, and she hurries the lovers to leave. Sophia laments that she will have to wait a whole day for a new meeting. Famusov enters.
Phenomenon 4
Everyone lies to the owner of the house about the reason why they were in the same place so early. Molchalin stopped by after a walk, hearing the owner’s voice and rushing to start paperwork. And Sophia suddenly woke up, hearing the priest’s voice, interrupting a wonderful dream about a person dear to her.
Famusov scolds his daughter and scolds Molchalin.
Phenomenon 5
Lisa warns the young lady against night meetings, fearing that her father will find out and put the girl under house arrest.
The maid gives the example of Sophia's former admirer, Chatsky. But the young lady perceives him only as a childhood friend and joker. But she enthusiastically tells the maid about Molchalin’s wonderful nature.
Phenomenon 6
The servant announces that Chatsky has come to visit the Famusovs.
Phenomenon 7
Chatsky came from abroad and was in a hurry, having covered more than 700 miles (≈750 km) in two days. He is fascinated by the matured Sophia, but is surprised by the cool reception. Sophia does not share Chatsky’s nostalgic memories of their childhood.
Chatsky wants to know if Sophia is in love, she avoids answering.
The guest sarcastically asks about all his Moscow acquaintances.
Phenomenon 8
The head of the house enters to meet Chatsky, and Sophia leaves them.
Phenomenon 9
Famusov chides Chatsky for not writing for three years and wants to know the details of his travels. Chatsky has no time for this: he is so fascinated by Sophia’s beauty that he even tells Famusov about it.
Phenomenon 10
Famusov puzzles over which of the young people Sophia’s dream was about.
Act II
Phenomenon 1
Famusov is planning who he will visit in the coming weeks. As a respected person, he is invited to christenings, funerals, and ceremonial dinners.
Phenomenon 2
Alexander Andreevich enters. Seeing the increased interest in Sophia, Famusov suggests that Chatsky first serve his fatherland, and only then think about his family. Chatsky criticizes people's desire to curry favor. Famusov is irritated by the guest’s revolutionary speeches: “He wants to preach freedom!.. But he doesn’t recognize the authorities!.. And I don’t want to know you, I don’t tolerate debauchery.”
Phenomenon 3
Famusov threatens Chatsky with court for his free-thinking views and asks Colonel Skalozub not to criticize society.
Phenomenon 4
Chatsky is puzzled by Skalozub’s possible matchmaking. He is interested in whether Sophia has a fiancé.
Phenomenon 5
Skalozub and Famusov talk about military service and marriage, about modern morals and the beauties of Moscow. Chatsky notes that the world lives by outdated values and suppresses youth: “Now let one of us, Of the young people, be found - an enemy of quest, Without demanding either a place or promotion to rank, He will focus his mind on science, hungry for knowledge; To the creative arts, high and beautiful, They immediately: robbery! fire! And he will be known among them as a dreamer! dangerous!"
Famusov is angry with Chatsky and hurries to leave.
Phenomenon 6
Skalozub praises Chatsky for noticing an excessive passion for the military in Moscow young ladies.
Phenomenon 7
Sophia, seeing through the window how Molchalin fell from his horse, faints.
Skalozub scolds the careless rider, and Chatsky notices the girl’s excessive reaction.
Phenomenon 8
Chatsky gives advice to Lisa on how to bring the young lady out of fainting. He is surprised by Sophia’s excessive excitement and laughs at Molchalin.
Phenomenon 9
Molchalin enters, apologizing for disturbing Sophia. The girl says that she would not be scared by her own fall, but she always worries about others. Chatsky sees the ambiguity of both phrases and leaves.
Phenomenon 10
Sophia kindly invites Skalozub to attend the evening celebration.
Phenomenon 11
In response to Sophia’s worries, Molchalin assures that everything is fine with him. Lisa suggests that the secretary not advertise the injury so as not to be ridiculed.
And Sophia advises to be more polite with Chatsky in order to hide compromising moments. Molchalin believes that Sofia has already revealed too much, and this could harm them.
Phenomenon 12
When Sophia leaves, Molchalin becomes more lively and flirts with Lisa, promising her gifts and jewelry. He has a reluctant relationship with Sophia, since he serves in her house.
Phenomenon 13
Sophia calls the secretary. Lisa is surprised at the whimsical nature of fate: the hostess needs Molchalin, the secretary is dragging after her, and she generally likes the barman Peter.
Act III
Phenomenon 1
Chatsky apologizes for speaking disparagingly about Molchalin. Sophia praises his modesty, helpfulness and good nature. Chatsky sees pity in this, not love and respect. The girl says about Skalozub that he is “not the hero of her novel.”
Phenomenon 2
The maid reports the arrival of Molchalin. Sophia hastily leaves Chatsky, citing the hairdresser.
Phenomenon 3
Chatsky guesses that the subject of Sophia’s hobby is Molchalin. In Chatsky’s conversation with Molchalin, it becomes clear how petty the secretary’s interests are and how dependent he is on the opinions of his superiors.
Chatsky is offended by Sophia’s choice: “With such feelings, with such a soul
We love you!.. The liar laughed at me!”
Phenomenon 4
Servants are bustling about, preparing the house for guests. They announce the arrival of Natalya Dmitrievna and her husband.
Phenomenon 5
Chatsky and Natalya Dmitrievna exchange compliments, the woman introduces the “charming husband” who almost became the commandant of Moscow.
Phenomenon 6
Platon Mikhailovich, Natalya Dmitrievna’s husband, is an old friend of Chatsky. He changed after marriage. Now he is completely under the care of his wife, who protects him from everything: from drafts, from racing, from village life, from service. This made him sick. Chatsky tries to stir him up with memories of the past.
Phenomenon 7
The Tugoukhovsky princes, who arrived for the evening, discuss Chatsky. Having found out that he is not rich, they lose interest in him as a potential groom for their daughters.
Phenomenon 8
The young Countess Khryumina asks Chatsky if he got married while traveling abroad. Chatsky laughs it off.
Phenomenon 9
Guests enter, including Zagoretsky, a man with a dubious reputation, who is sometimes praised and sometimes scolded, but everyone accepts him. Zagoretsky gives Sophia tickets to a performance that is difficult to attend.
Phenomenon 10
Old Countess Khlestova complains that it is difficult for her to attend parties. She boasts that Zagoretsky got her a black girl as a maid. The old lady considers him helpful, but a fraud.
Phenomenon 11
The owner of the house greets his friend Skalozub.
Phenomenon 12
Famusov introduces Skalozub to Khlestova, which the old woman does not like. Molchalin smooths out the unpleasant moment for her: he kindly hands over the card and praises the dog.
Phenomenon 13
Chatsky ironically praises the helpfulness of Molchalin, who becomes like Zagoretsky. Sophia sees Chatsky’s evil character behind this.
Phenomenon 14
Sophia, in a conversation with Mr. N, casually notices that Chatsky has signs of madness. The girl realizes that this news will now spread among the guests.
Phenomenon 15
Messrs. N and D are discussing the news about Alexander Andreevich's madness and are going to ask others about it.
Phenomenon 16
Zagoretsky immediately invents that Chatsky was supposedly in a mental hospital, and has now been released.
Phenomenon 17
The countess-granddaughter confirms: it also seemed to her that Chatsky had lost his mind.
Phenomenon 18
The granddaughter wants to convey the news to her grandmother, but her ears are blocked.
Phenomenon 19
The helpful Zagoretsky is ready to explain the news to the old woman, but gives up this idea. But she heard that they were talking about Chatsky.
Phenomenon 20
The deaf old countess tries to find out about Chatsky from the equally deaf Tugoukhovsky. She comes to the conclusion that Chatsky is a villain and should be put in prison.
Phenomenon 21
The guests pick up the idea of Chatsky’s madness, immediately misinterpreting his remarks and finding evidence in them. Even Platon Mikhailovich prefers to believe the majority rather than himself. Famusov also finds the cause of the illness: “I followed my mother, Anna Aleksevna;
The deceased went crazy eight times.”
Gossip arrived that Chatsky drank excessively, but the main reason for the madness was from books and education.
Phenomenon 22
Chatsky enters the living room, not yet knowing that he is “crazy.”
While he sadly talks about Moscow, which worships everything foreign, losing its originality and neglecting its people, everyone disperses.
Act IV
Phenomenon 1
Khryumin’s granddaughter grumbles that the Famusovs have a boring audience. She and grandma are leaving.
Phenomenon 2
Platon Mikhailovich complains that he is bored at the ball, but he is forced to endure it because of his wife. The man regrets his marriage.
Phenomenon 3
Chatsky comes to the conclusion that his expectations from the meeting with his former circle of acquaintances were not justified. He found neither participation nor sincerity in anyone.
Phenomenon 4
At the door, Chatsky runs into an old acquaintance, Repetilov. He spent the whole evening at the English Club at a secret meeting, inviting Chatsky there. Repetilov extols Chatsky's intelligence, but speaks about himself in a derogatory tone, scolding himself for his addiction to social entertainment.
Phenomenon 5
Chatsky goes to the doormen's room. Repetilov switches to a new interlocutor and invites Skalozub to visit. He also complains about his marriage, from which he did not receive any benefit, despite his efforts.
Phenomenon 6
Now Repetilov is talking with Zagoretsky. He shares the news about Chatsky’s madness, but Repetilov refuses to believe it.
Phenomenon 7
Most of the guests go down to the hall. Zagoretsky asks everyone to confirm that Chatsky is insane. The entire princely family, Khlestova, Molchalin assure that this is true. Repetilov decides to believe the majority.
Phenomenon 8
Repetilov feels sorry for Chatsky, and Khlestova is sure that he can be cured.
Phenomenon 9
No one responded to Repetilov’s invitation, so he leaves Famusov’s house alone.
Phenomenon 10
Chatsky, after waiting for the guests to leave, goes out into the hall. He is surprised that they spoke about him with such anger. From the second floor the voice of Sophia is heard, calling Molchalin. Chatsky decides to watch what is happening, hiding behind a column.
Phenomenon 11
Lisa was sent by the young lady to secretly wake up Molchalin. Sophia imagined Chatsky, but the maid is sure that he has already gone home.
Phenomenon 12
Molchalin again confesses his passion to Liza, complaining that he does not feel the same for Sophia. Lisa is trying to reason with Molchalin.
Sophia, having heard the disgusting details, comes out of hiding. Molchalin throws himself on his knees, trying to justify everything with a bad joke, but Sophia no longer believes and tells him to leave the house.
Chatsky's appearance shocks everyone present, Molchalin runs away to his place.
Phenomenon 13
Chatsky is crushed that Sophia chose such a low, cowardly man over him. But Sophia is also in despair from the revealed deception.
Phenomenon 14
Suddenly Famusov bursts in. The father reproaches his daughter: at first she called Chatsky crazy, and now she is secretly meeting with him. So Chatsky understands that the author of the gossip is Sophia herself.
The father makes a noise and threatens to lock his daughter in the province with her aunt.
Chatsky reproaches Sophia for playing with his feelings: “When I think about who you preferred! Why did they lure me with hope? Why didn’t they tell me directly that you turned everything that happened into laughter?”
Chatsky leaves Famusov's house and Moscow.
Phenomenon 15
Famusov, who did not understand anything from Chatsky’s sorrowful speech, is once again convinced that he has gone crazy.
Briefly about the heroes of the comedy “Woe from Wit”
For a high-quality perception of the brief content of Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit,” it is necessary to become familiar with the characteristics of its main and secondary characters.
Characteristics of the main characters of the play
- Famusov Pavel Afanasyevich is a wealthy landowner and official who serves as a manager in a government agency. Pavel Afanasyevich is a widower raising a daughter. He is too confused by what others think of him. His main values: cronyism, wealth, high ranks. Pavel Afanasyevich is wary of educated “upstarts” and the education of the masses. For his only daughter Sofia, Famusov chose a worthy groom - no longer young, but respected and financially secure officer Skalozub.
- Famusova Sofya Pavlovna is a seventeen-year-old noblewoman, the only daughter of Famusov. The girl grew up without a mother, but her upbringing did not suffer from this. She turned out to be a smart, attractive and progressive young lady. Like other girls of marriageable age, Sophia plays musical instruments, sings, dances, and is fluent in French. Having fallen in love with the poor Molchalin, the girl meets with him secretly, since her father considers her position in society very important and is unlikely to approve of such a union. Sophia spreads rumors about Chatsky's madness, thus wanting to take revenge on him for teasing Molchalin.
- Molchalin Alexey Stepanovich is a young, unnamed man who serves as a secretary at the Famusovs’ house. Since childhood, Molchalin has been accustomed to please others for the sake of profit. He doesn’t represent anything special, he keeps his opinions to himself and agrees with those who are of a higher rank and are not burdened with a special mind. To please his master, he takes care of his daughter, who is completely indifferent to him, while secretly sympathizing with the maid Lisa.
- Chatsky Alexander Andreevich is a young nobleman, a pupil of the Famusov house. He was orphaned early, grew up next to Sophia and was in love with her for a long time. Chatsky grew up as a man of the “new generation”: he is proud, smart and denies the values of the Moscow nobility. Returning from a long trip abroad, the young man learns about the relationship between Sophia and Molchalin. His pride is offended, he harasses his opponent with attacks and encounters an unexpectedly sharp rebuff from his former lover.
Characteristics of minor characters in the play
- Skalozub Sergei Sergeevich is a rich bachelor, colonel, careerist. A person of limited views, he is only interested in awards and promotion in military service. Famusov really likes him and has his eye on him as a husband for his daughter.
- Repetilov is Chatsky’s comrade, a nobleman. A funny and awkward person who has failed with his career and family life. Lover of revelry and parties.
- Lisa is a serf servant in the Famusovs’ house. A flighty, but not stupid person. Famusov and Molchalin like the girl, but she breathes unevenly in the direction of the bartender Petrusha.
Other characters in the play "Woe from Wit"
- Zagoretsky Anton Antonovich is a nobleman, an acquaintance of Famusov.
- Khlestova Anfisa Nilovna is the sister of Famusov’s late wife.
- Gorich Platon Mikhailovich is a retired officer, a nobleman.
- Gorich Natalya Dmitrievna is a young noblewoman, the wife of Platon Mikhailovich.
- Tugoukhovsky Pyotr Ilyich is a prince, a deaf old man.
- Tugoukhovskaya Marya Alekseevna is the wife of Pyotr Ilyich, the mother of six daughters of marriageable age.
- Countess Khryumina is an ancient grandmother and granddaughter looking for a spouse.
- Petrushka is the Famusovs' serf servant.
The main characters of the play "Woe from Wit"
Famusova Sofia.
Girl 17 years old. Daughter of manager Pavel Afanasyevich. She does not have a mother, so from childhood the girl was raised by her father. Sophia is ready to fight public opinion. She is distinguished by her courage and clear mind. Has feelings for his father’s secretary, Alexey Molchalin.
Famusov Pavel Afanasyevich.
A person who has his own institution and is very fixated on the opinions of others. He is Sophia's father. The main thing in life for this character is the title. Distinctive feature: fear of everything new, educated people and enlightenment.
Molchalin Alexey.
A man of humble birth, whom Famusov took in. Pavel Afanasyevich gave Molchalin the rank of assessor. Alexey works as his secretary. Characterized by cowardice and silence.
Chatsky Alexander.
A young man who grew up with Sophia and has feelings for her. At one time he went on a three-year journey around the world. Prefers service to business rather than people. Alexander is distinguished by his ability to speak eloquently and by his sharp mind.
Colonel Skalozub.
A very rich but stupid man who is trying to reach the rank of general. He is predicted to be Sophia's future husband.
Lisa.
A maid in the house of Pavel Afanasyevich. She helps his daughter hide secret meetings with Molchalin from others, primarily from her father.
Briefly about the history of the comedy “Woe from Wit”
Back in 1816, Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov returned to his homeland from a long trip abroad and was invited to a social evening. Amazed by how the Russian nobility worshiped everything foreign, he excitedly delivered an accusatory speech to the public. Many of the noble gentlemen seriously thought about Griboyedov’s mental health. Thus was born the idea of creating a satirical comedy “Woe from Wit”, which promised to become sweet revenge on the narrow-minded aristocratic society.
Griboyedov worked on the play for about four years. He put an end to his work in 1824, but the author was denied publication by censorship. Handwritten copies were passed around while Griboyedov made new edits, hoping that his work would still end up in print. But for the first time, the full version of “Woe from Wit” was published only in 1831, in German, after the death of the author. In Russia, having undergone severe censorship edits, the play was published in 1833, and the author’s version received its “finest hour” only in 1862.
