How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
ELIANTE
It does, indeed, belie the theory
That love is born of gentle sympathy,
And that the tender passion must be based
On sweet accords of temper and of taste. (4.1.43)
Éliante uses the example of Célimène and Alceste to prove that opposites attract … but, of course, they don't end up getting together. Like-minded Éliante and Philinte do. So, which is it? Birds of a feather, or opposites attract?
Quote #8
ÉLIANTE
Her heart's a stranger to its own emotion.
Sometimes it thinks it loves, when no love's there;
At other times it loves quite unaware. (4.1.50)
It's interesting that with all this philosophizing about love going on, Célimène doesn't even know anything about her own heart. We guess if you lie enough, you start to believe it and forget the truth.
Quote #9
PHILINTE
But if those two should marry, and so remove
All chance that he will offer you his love,
Then I'll declare my own, and hope to see
Your gracious favor pass from him to me.
In short, should you be cheated of Alceste,
I'd be most happy to be second best. (4.1.75)
Here's an example of how reasonable Philinte is: he's totally willing to be Éliante's rebound, once she realizes that it'd be a lot more reasonable to choose him. Huh. That doesn't sound very romantic, although we have to say that it does sound pretty sensible.