How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"Oh Seigneur Anselme, you see before you the most unfortunate of men. All kinds of trouble and complications have arisen over the contract you have come to sign! I have suffered mortal blows, one to my fortune and one to my honour." (5.5.2)
Everyone is entitled to a little exaggeration now and then. But with Harpagon, we can never be totally sure whether he's exaggerating because the guy seems downright hysterical throughout the second half of The Miser. In this instance, he claims that he's been mortally wounded in both his wallet and his honor. Now this is definitely a metaphor, right? Right? Maybe. There are times when the old man seems to think he's actually dying from the shock of losing his money.