A. A. Chatsky	A. S. Molchalin
Character	A straightforward, sincere young man. An ardent temperament often interferes with the hero and deprives him of impartial judgment.	Secretive, cautious, helpful person. The main goal is a career, position in society.
Position in society	Poor Moscow nobleman. Receives a warm welcome in local society due to his origin and old connections.	Provincial tradesman by origin. The rank of collegiate assessor by law gives him the right to nobility. It is known in the world, but has no weight yet.
Education	A very smart and enlightened person. Probably graduated from university or received a high-quality home education.	A limited person with primitive judgments and desires. Before entering the service, he lived in Tver and was unlikely to receive good education.
Place in the plot	The central character: the main plot revolves around his love and social conflicts.	Main antagonist. He embodies the helpfulness and ossification of mind that Chatsky hated.
Occupation	Has no specific occupation. Dating in the ministry and being in the army are mentioned.	Moscow employee, secretary. An executive official with a promising career.
Attitude towards love	Sublime and at the same time selfish. Overwhelmed by his own emotions, Chatsky is unable to understand the feelings of his beloved.	Consumer, primitive. Dragging after Sophia, in love with Lisa. Courting a maid comes down to trying to buy her favor.
Relation to Sophia	Throughout the action, the passionately in love hero does not understand Sophia’s motives. In the finale he is severely disappointed in her.	On the verge of contempt. Maintains a love affair without interest, out of a desire to please everyone. Calmly accepts the breakup.
The characters' relationship to each other	Open contempt. He does not recognize the slightest merit in Molchalin and ridicules him at any opportunity.	Neutral, since Chatsky is of no interest to Molchalin. The address is respectful.
Social views	Patriot, freethinker. He is openly indignant at the prevailing order in society and the state.	Respects and fully accepts the existing system.
Attitude to service	He believes that only sycophants can make a career. He sees no prospects for himself.	For the sake of his career, he actively makes connections and suffers humiliation. Takes official responsibilities seriously.
Speech features	A witty, eloquent person. He speaks Russian, but also uses French - this follows from Sophia’s remark.	Respectful, “bureaucratic” speech. When communicating with superiors, he says platitudes that are pleasant to them.
Character in the finale	He leaves Moscow in the midst of an internal crisis: rejected by society and disappointed in his beloved.	Open ending: Famusov does not know about the character’s affair with his daughter. If Sophia leaves, she can calmly continue her service.

• Hero Brief description Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov The surname “Famusov” comes from the Latin word “fama”, which means “rumour”: by this Griboedov wanted to emphasize that Famusov is afraid of rumors, public opinion, but on the other hand, there is a root in the root of the word “Famusov” from the Latin word "famosus" - a famous, well-known wealthy landowner and high official. He is a famous person among the Moscow nobility. A well-born nobleman: related to the nobleman Maxim Petrovich, closely acquainted […]
• Characteristics The present century The past century Attitude to wealth, to ranks “We found protection from court in friends, in kinship, building magnificent chambers where they indulge in feasts and extravagance, and where the most vile traits of the foreign clients of their past life will not be resurrected,” “And those whoever is higher, flattery, like weaving lace...” “Be inferior, but if you have enough, two thousand family souls, he is the groom” Attitude to service “I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served”, “Uniform! one uniform! He is in their former life [...]
• The very name of the comedy "Woe from Wit" is significant. For educators, convinced of the omnipotence of knowledge, mind is a synonym for happiness. But the powers of the mind have faced serious tests in all eras. New advanced ideas are not always accepted by society, and the bearers of these ideas are often declared crazy. It is no coincidence that Griboedov also addresses the topic of the mind. His comedy is a story about progressive ideas and society's reaction to them. At first, the title of the play is “Woe to Wit,” which the writer later replaces with “Woe from Wit.” More […]
• After reading A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” and critics’ articles about this play, I also thought about: “What is he like, Chatsky”? The first impression of the hero is that he is perfect: smart, kind, cheerful, vulnerable, passionately in love, loyal, sensitive, knowing the answers to all questions. He rushes seven hundred miles to Moscow to meet Sophia after a three-year separation. But this opinion arose after the first reading. When in literature lessons we analyzed comedy and read the opinions of various critics about [...]
• The image of Chatsky caused numerous controversy in criticism. I. A. Goncharov considered the hero Griboyedov a “sincere and ardent figure”, superior to Onegin and Pechorin. “...Chatsky is not only smarter than all other people, but also positively smart. His speech is full of intelligence and wit. He has a heart, and, moreover, he is impeccably honest,” the critic wrote. Apollo Grigoriev spoke about this image in approximately the same way, who considered Chatsky to be a real fighter, an honest, passionate and truthful person. Finally, I myself held a similar opinion [...]
• When you see a rich house, a hospitable owner, elegant guests, you involuntarily admire them. I would like to know what these people are like, what they talk about, what they are interested in, what is close to them, what is alien. Then you feel how the first impression gives way to bewilderment, then to contempt for both the owner of the house, one of the Moscow “aces” Famusov, and his entourage. There are other noble families, from them came heroes of the War of 1812, Decembrists, great masters of culture (and if great people came from such houses as we see in comedy, then […]
• The title of any work is the key to its understanding, since it almost always contains an indication - direct or indirect - of the main idea underlying the creation, of a number of problems comprehended by the author. The title of A. S. Griboyedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” introduces an extremely important category into the conflict of the play, namely the category of the mind. The source of such a title, such an unusual name, which also originally sounded like “Woe to the Wit,” goes back to a Russian proverb in which the opposition between the smart and […]
• The comedy by A. S. Griboyedov “Woe from Wit” consists of a number of small episodes-phenomena. They are combined into larger ones, such as, for example, the description of a ball in Famusov’s house. Analyzing this stage episode, we consider it as one of the important stages in the resolution of the main dramatic conflict, which lies in the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century”. Based on the principles of the writer’s attitude to the theater, it is worth noting that A. S. Griboyedov presented it in accordance with the traditions […]
• In the comedy “Woe from Wit” A. S. Griboyedov portrayed noble Moscow of the 10-20s of the 19th century. In the society of that time, they worshiped uniform and rank and rejected books and enlightenment. A person was judged not by his personal qualities, but by the number of serf souls. Everyone sought to imitate Europe and worshiped foreign fashion, language and culture. The “past century”, presented vividly and fully in the work, is characterized by the power of women, their great influence on the formation of tastes and views of society. Moscow […]
• CHATSKY is the hero of A.S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit” (1824; in the first edition the spelling of the surname is Chadsky). The probable prototypes of the image are PYa.Chaadaev (1796-1856) and V.K-Kuchelbecker (1797-1846). The nature of the hero’s actions, his statements and relationships with other comedy characters provide extensive material for revealing the theme stated in the title. Alexander Andreevich Ch. is one of the first romantic heroes of Russian drama, and how romantic hero on the one hand, he categorically does not accept an inert environment, [...]
• It’s rare, but it still happens in art that the creator of one “masterpiece” becomes a classic. This is exactly what happened with Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov. His only comedy, “Woe from Wit,” became the national treasure of Russia. Phrases from the work are included in our daily life in the form of proverbs and sayings; we don’t even think about who released them into the world, we say: “Just by chance, keep an eye on you” or: “Friend. Is it possible to choose // a nook further away for a walk?” And such catchphrases in comedy […]
• The very name of the comedy is paradoxical: “Woe from Wit.” Initially, the comedy was called “Woe to Wit,” which Griboyedov later abandoned. To some extent, the title of the play is a “reversal” of the Russian proverb: “fools have happiness.” But is Chatsky surrounded by only fools? Look, are there so many fools in the play? Here Famusov remembers his uncle Maxim Petrovich: A serious look, an arrogant disposition. When you need to help yourself, And he bent over... ...Huh? what do you think? in our opinion - smart. And myself [...]
• The famous Russian writer Ivan Aleksandrovich Goncharov said wonderful words about the work “Woe from Wit” - “Without Chatsky there would be no comedy, there would be a picture of morals.” And it seems to me that the writer is right about this. It is the image of the main character of Griboedov’s comedy, Alexander Sergeevich “Woe from Wit,” that determines the conflict of the entire narrative. People like Chatsky always turned out to be misunderstood by society, they brought progressive ideas and views to society, but conservative society did not understand […]
• The comedy “Woe from Wit” was created in the early 20s. XIX century Main conflict, on which the comedy is based, is the confrontation between the “present century” and the “past century.” In the literature of that time, the classicism of the era of Catherine the Great still had power. But outdated canons limited the playwright’s freedom in describing real life, therefore, Griboedov, taking classic comedy as a basis, neglected (as necessary) some of the laws of its construction. Any classic work (drama) should […]
• The great Woland said that manuscripts do not burn. Proof of this is the fate of Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov’s brilliant comedy “Woe from Wit” - one of the most controversial works in the history of Russian literature. A comedy with a political bent, continuing the traditions of such masters of satire as Krylov and Fonvizin, quickly became popular and served as a harbinger of the coming rise of Ostrovsky and Gorky. Although the comedy was written back in 1825, it was published only eight years later, having outlived its […]
• The famous comedy "Woe from Wit" by AS. Griboyedov was created in the first quarter of the 19th century. Literary life This period was determined by clear signs of the crisis of the autocratic-serf system and the maturation of the ideas of noble revolutionism. There was a process of gradual transition from the ideas of classicism, with its predilection for “high genres, romanticism and realism. A.S. Griboedov became one of the prominent representatives and founders of critical realism. In his comedy “Woe from Wit,” which successfully combines [... ]
• In the comedy "Woe from Wit" Sofya Pavlovna Famusova is the only character conceived and performed close to Chatsky. Griboedov wrote about her: “The girl herself is not stupid, she prefers a fool smart person...". Griboyedov abandoned farce and satire in depicting the character of Sophia. He introduced the reader to a female character of great depth and strength. Sophia was “unlucky” in criticism for quite a long time. Even Pushkin considered the author’s image of Famusova a failure; “Sophia is sketched unclearly.” And only in 1878 Goncharov, in his article […]
• Molchalin - characteristic features: desire for a career, hypocrisy, ability to curry favor, taciturnity, poverty of vocabulary. This is explained by his fear of expressing his judgment. Speaks mainly in short phrases and chooses words depending on who he is talking to. There are no foreign words or expressions in the language. Molchalin chooses delicate words, adding a postive “-s”. To Famusov - respectfully, to Khlestova - flatteringly, insinuatingly, with Sophia - with special modesty, with Liza - he does not mince words. Especially […]
• A “social” comedy with a social clash between the “past century” and the “present century” is called the comedy of A.S. Griboyedov "Woe from Wit". And it is structured in such a way that only Chatsky speaks about progressive ideas for transforming society, the desire for spirituality, and a new morality. Using his example, the author shows readers how difficult it is to bring new ideas into the world that are not understood and accepted by a society that is ossified in its views. Anyone who starts doing this is doomed to loneliness. Alexander Andreevich […]
• In Griboyedv's work "Woe from Wit" the episode "Ball in Famusov's House" is the main part of the comedy, because it is in this scene main character Chatsky shows the true face of Famusov and his society. Chatsky is a free and free-thinking character; he is disgusted by all the morals that Famusov tried to comply with as much as possible. He is not afraid to express his point of view, which differs from Pavel Afanasyevich. In addition, Alexander Andreevich himself was without ranks and not rich, which means that he was not only a bad party […]

A.S. Griboedov dedicated his comedy “Woe from Wit” to the confrontation between different worldviews, showing how the desire for freedom fights manifestations of conservatism.

Characteristics of the main characters of the play

Representatives of the group, which is stubborn in its beliefs, are members of Moscow's high society, to whom Alexey Molchalin counts himself. His complete opposite is Alexander Chatsky - a lonely and withdrawn young man.

Comparing the two characters, it becomes clear that they are completely different from each other. They have different upbringings, worldviews, characters and aspirations. Molchalin flatters and humiliates himself, showing the basest qualities of a person.

Education and views on life of A. Chatsky and A. Molchalin

Chatsky was born into a noble family, so his thoughts are pure and noble. Molchalin does not belong to the nobility; he owes his social position to his boss.

Chatsky received a comprehensive education, therefore he is a highly intellectual person. Molchalin is stupid by nature and did not attend educational institutions. He is only interested in getting a new rank.

Chatsky's views on life are completely different. He is distinguished by his love for his country, has a passionate disposition and bold views. Molchalin, on the contrary, tries to stay in the shadows and be invisible. The new position is what excites him. For the sake of a prestigious position, this two-faced and dishonest person is ready to do anything.

Chatsky laughs at the remnants of the past and dreams only of a bright future. In his dreams there is a new, undoubtedly better society. Service in the army brought Chatsky the rank of officer, but at the moment he is retired.

Behavior of heroes in society

During small talk, Chatsky vividly discusses topics of interest to society; he is open and frank in his opinions. Molchalin usually doesn’t say what he’s thinking about. He agrees with high-ranking officials, gaining their trust for further career advancement.

Chatsky does not need the love of society, so he does not flatter and does not obey anyone. Molchalin is even ready to humiliate himself for the sake of moving up the official ladder.

As the comedy progresses, the reader understands that Chatsky is a brave and honest person. Molchalin is his antipode: he is cowardly, deceitful and strives only for a successful career.

The nobles gathering at Famusov’s house consider Chatsky a strange person. He is forced to leave. But here Molchalin feels at home. Molchalin is absolutely comfortable, so he stays here to earn another rank.

The idea of ​​the work and the contrast between Molchalin and Chatsky

The author, in his comedy, compares the two main characters throughout the entire narrative. Chatsky is a sincere, honest, cheerful and noble young man. Griboyedov A.S. presents Molchalin to the reader as a silent flatterer, a careerist and a liar, ready for vile acts for the sake of profit.

The main characters are fighting for Sophia's affection. The girl prefers the deceitful Molchalin, she is disgusted by Chatsky’s frankness and ardor. However, Sophia breaks up with Molchalin after learning about his parallel courtship with Lisa.

After reading the work, the reader understands that the Chatskys and Molchalins are the basis of our society. One half of it is honest, proud and frank people with their own unique point of view. The other half is represented by hypocrites who behave calmly and quietly, constantly deceiving others for their own gain.

Comparison of Chatsky and Molchalin in the work “Woe from Wit”

Comedy A.S. Griboedov's "Woe from Wit" belongs to the best works Russian literature. In it, the writer reflected his time, the problems of the era, and also showed his attitude towards them.

In this work, in the person of the main character Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, “ new person", which is filled with sublime ideas. Chatsky protests against all the old orders that existed in Moscow at that time. The hero of the comedy fights for “new” laws: freedom, intelligence, culture, patriotism. This is a person with a different mindset and soul, a different view of the world and people.

Arriving at Famusov’s house, Chatsky dreams of the daughter of this rich master, Sophia. He is in love with a girl and hopes that Sophia loves him. But in the house of his father’s old friend, the hero faces only disappointments and blows. Firstly, it turns out that Famusov’s daughter loves someone else. Secondly, that the people in this master’s house are strangers to the hero. He cannot agree with their views on life.

Chatsky is sure that everything changed in his time:

No, the world is not like that these days.

Everyone breathes more freely

And he’s in no hurry to fit into the regiment of jesters.

Chatsky believes that education is necessary for every person. The hero himself spent a long time abroad and received a good education. The old society, led by Famusov, believes that learning is the cause of all troubles. Education can even make a person go crazy. That is why Famus society so easily believes the rumor about the hero’s madness at the end of the comedy.

Alexander Andreevich Chatsky is a patriot of Russia. At a ball in Famusov’s house, he saw how all the guests groveled before the “Frenchman from Bordeaux” simply because he was a foreigner. This caused a wave of indignation in the hero. He fights for everything Russian in the Russian country. Chatsky dreams that people would be proud of their homeland and speak Russian.

The hero cannot understand how some people in his country can own others. He does not accept slavery with all his soul. Chatsky fights for the abolition of serfdom.

In a word, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky wants to change his life, to live better, more honestly, more justly.

In order to more clearly show Chatsky’s character, his antipode, Molchalin, is also depicted in the comedy. This person is very resourceful, able to find an approach to any influential person.

Molchalin's worldview, his life position in no way fits into the moral code of life. He is one of those who serve the rank, not the cause. Molchalin is confident that this form of social relations is the only correct one. He always turns out to be in the right place at the right time and is indispensable in Famusov’s house:

There he will stroke the pug in time,

It’s time to rub the card...

In addition, this is a person who is ready to endure any humiliation in order to achieve power and wealth. It is precisely such prospects that force the hero to turn his attention to Sophia. Molchalin tries to evoke feelings for the girl, but his sympathy is false. If Sophia’s father had not been Famusov, he would have been indifferent to her. And if instead of Sophia there was a more mediocre girl, but the daughter of an influential man, Molchalin would still pretend to be in love.

Another fact is surprising: Molchalin’s remarks are short and laconic, which indicates his desire to appear meek and compliant:

At my age I shouldn't dare

Have your own judgment.

The only person who sees Molchalin’s true nature is Chatsky. With all his being he denies people like Alexey Stepanych. Chatsky sarcastically tells Sophia about the true state of affairs:

You will make peace with him, after mature reflection.

Destroy yourself, and why!

Think you can always

Protect and swaddle, and send to work.

Husband-boy, husband-servant, from the wife's pages -

The high ideal of all Moscow men.

Chatsky gives a precise definition of Molchalin and others like him: “... not in war, but in peace, they took it head on, hit the floor without regret.” The main character sees Molchalin's main problem - his inability to be sincere due to excessive egoism and the desire to benefit from everything.

Thus, Chatsky and Molchalin are completely different people who seem to belong to the same generation. They are both young, living at the same time. But how different their natures are! If Chatsky is a progressive person, filled with the ideas of the “new time,” then Molchalin is a product of “Famusov’s Moscow”, a successor of their ideas.

In his work, Griboedov shows that, although outwardly victory remained with Molchalin’s philosophy of life, the future undoubtedly belongs to Chatsky and his supporters, whose number is increasing every day.

Essay on the topic “Characteristics of Chatsky and Molchalin.”

Griboyedov's comedy "Woe from Wit" is an outstanding work of Russian and world drama. The author poses and resolves problems that were important for his time: about patriotism, about public service, about human relationships. The main conflict of the comedy is the clash of noble society with the world of new people. The entire Famus circle belongs to the society, including Molchalin; Chatsky can confidently be classified among the “new people”.

The main character of the comedy, Alexander Andreevich Chatsky, is a young, educated nobleman. He is noble, honest, smart. In the comedy, Chatsky is presented as a democrat, a humanist who speaks out in defense of freedom, education, and national culture. The emptiness and vulgarity of life in Moscow society amazes him. He despises sycophancy, passion for rank, spiritual emptiness, fights against the ideals, goals, aspirations of old Moscow, disgraces buffoonery, thoughtless luxury and disgusting morals. Chatsky wants to serve the Fatherland, and not some “persons”: “I would be glad to serve, it’s sickening to be served.” He is actively fighting against Famus society, but in this society Chatsky is a stranger. He turned out to be a lone fighter. In addition, he does not see his main opponent - Molchalin.

Molchalin is young, the same age as Chatsky, but his complete opposite. Rootless and poor, he came to Moscow with the sole purpose of making a career. For this, he believes, all means are good. He even has his own theory of careerism, which his father bequeathed to him: please everyone, be “moderate and neat,” and not have your own opinion. Molchalin’s external manners do not correspond in any way to his internal qualities. This is what misleads many people. Everyone sees him as nice young man. Sofia did not see him either, believing his words about love, and Molchalin basely deceived her. Molchalin sees the meaning of his life in his well-being: “And win awards and have fun.” And this is the absolute opposite of Chatsky’s ideals. Molchalin is associated with the “past century” by a passion for rank, sycophancy, and emptiness of soul.

During the three years of Chatsky's absence, he achieved incredible success. An unknown, rootless tradesman received the rank of assessor and became Sofia's lover. He gradually gains strength, stopping at nothing, even deceiving a defenseless girl. He is ready to endure any humiliation in the struggle for power. No one can stand in his way.

In everything, always and everywhere, the opinions and actions of Chatsky and Molchalin are different, almost opposite. Sophia understands this too. Loving Molchalin, she sees the ideal in his vices, and shortcomings in Chatsky’s virtues.

The ideals of Chatsky and Molchalin indicate that Chatsky is a “new century”, and Molchalin is part of the Famus society, which supported the remnants of the past and the old orders of the “past century”.

From comedy we can formulate the following: our mind is the cause of all the bad things we get from life. Hence the name of the comedy - “Woe from Wit”.

Intelligence, honesty, sincerity, the ability to think soberly and independently did not help Chatsky achieve freedom, enlightenment, national culture and start " new century"probably because last century very firmly “stuck” in Moscow society. And changing the current order of all of Moscow has become beyond the power of one person, even one as purposeful as the main character Chatsky.

The characters of Chatsky and Molchalin are opposed to each other.

Chatsky is undoubtedly the main character of the comedy, because it was with his appearance that events in Famusov’s house begin to develop.

Chatsky is not a rich man by origin, but this is not the main thing for him. Others speak well of him: “Who is so sensitive and cheerful and sharp...” He used to serve as an official, but quit the service because he was “sick” of being served. He also served in the regiment and did not become a military man, since the military also serve in bad faith, and Chatsky himself understands that he will not be happy in the regiment. Then he travels, but does not find his calling abroad, and returns to his homeland.

Chatsky does not want to live his life boring and useless. He loves Russia, says “And the smoke of the Fatherland is sweet and pleasant to us,” wants to be useful to her, but does not yet know how. Brought up in the traditions of that society, Chatsky does not know new paths in life, so he seems to be an empty talker, simply entwining everyone around him.

Chatsky does not want to be an official, because in Famusov’s society, career advancement is possible thanks to connections, an attempt to curry favor not with one’s personal qualities and business skills, but with admiration and flattery before his superiors. For successful career you need to have such qualities as sycophancy, obsequiousness, dumbness. For people like Famusov, it costs nothing to humiliate themselves in front of their boss just to get their way. No one from Famusov’s society is trying to make life in Russia better or bring benefit. They are only looking for benefits for themselves. Even in education, Famusov sees bad things; he believes “learning is the plague, learning is the reason.” Nevertheless, people like Famusov and his guests understand that they are wrong, but they are afraid of some changes and the fact that they will have to achieve their fortune with their mind and work.

Chatsky does not like these features of the “past century”; he knows that he has no place in such a society.

His personal drama lies in the fact that he remains misunderstood in Famusov’s house. Sophia, for whom he came to Famusov, loves another, one who is unworthy of her, and Sophia turns all the features of Molchalin, which Chatsky considers humiliating, into advantages. Moreover, Sophia becomes like everyone else and does not understand Chatsky. Famus Society mistook Chatsky for a madman, because his opinion differs sharply from theirs. Still, he boldly expresses his thoughts and denounces liars, calling a spade a spade. So, realizing that nothing has changed in Moscow, Chatsky leaves Famusov’s house.

Molchalin is Famusov’s secretary, lives in his house and plays a minor role in the comedy, but through him you can see how different he is from Chatsky. Molchalin's father taught him to please all people, the boss, the owner of the house where he would live, and even the janitor and his dog, so that no one would hold a grudge against him, and he would enjoy the reputation of an educated and well-mannered person.

with their own best qualities Molchalin believes in moderation and accuracy. He always praises someone from the higher ranks or plays cards with them, or serves them for his own benefit. Molchalin also believes that “he does not dare to have his own judgment,” therefore he does not spite anyone, depending on others.

Living in someone else's house, Molchalin starts an affair with Sophia, as with the daughter of an influential official, and behaves timidly with her. But he has sincere feelings for Lisa, and in relation to her it is clear that he is not at all timid and shy; He is open to her, speaks his thoughts.

Chatsky despises Molchalin, at first he believes that Sophia is joking about her attitude towards Molchalin. Having learned about Chatsky's views, Molchalin is horrified; he sincerely supports the rumor about Chatsky's madness.

In general, Chatsky and Molchalin are completely different. Molchalin lives according to the concepts of the old century, and plans everything in life according to a well-known proven model, like everyone else, and does not consider it necessary to even think about the essence of what is happening. But Chatsky, on the contrary, strives for everything new, because Chatsky is starting a new century, and this is his whole meaning and his whole “mind.”