The Miser

The chief of police arrives to investigate the crime scene. Harpagon tells him to arrest everyone as suspects, but the chief of police suggests they start by interrogating people closer to home. Master Jacques enters, calling out instructions to Valere about how to cook the pig for dinner. After a number of jokes and misunderstandings about the pig, the chief of police tells Master Jacques why he is there. He has been hired to investigate the robbery that has taken place, and if Master Jacques cooperates, his master will give him a reward. Master Jacques realizes he now has the perfect opportunity to get revenge on the flatterer, Valere. He says, “Sir, it causes me untold agony to say this, and I know how much more it will hurt you, but it was your steward who did this” (53). Harpagon is stunned, having believed Valere to be upright and loyal.

When Valere enters, Harpagon demands that he get on his knees and confess to his crimes. Valere is shocked, but then asks permission to tell his side of the story. He tells Harpagon that the treasure he loves has “not fallen into bad hands” (55), and that he is “of rank and status to take care of it providentially” (55). Harpagon is confused and asks what could have driven him to this act; Valere replies that it was love. He tells Harpagon that he has pledged his love to the treasure for the rest of his life, and that his intentions are pure. Finally, it is revealed the treasure Valere is talking about is, in fact, Elise—he had nothing to do with the stealing of the literal strongbox.

Elise enters with Marianne and Frosine. Harpagon confronts Elise about her disobedience. He shouts curses at her, promising to lock her in a dark pit and to send Valere to the gallows. Elise tries to calm her father and show him the side of Valere that she has grown to love. Seigneur Anselme arrives at that moment, and Harpagon announces that his marriage to Elise seems to be in jeopardy, and that revenge must be taken.

Valere stands up to Harpagon, saying that he is no criminal for loving Elise. He says, “By birth and by privilege I have right to this fair maid. Anyone in Naples can testify [to] my rank” (59). Valere tells the story of his father, the noble Don Tomas D’Albruzzi, and the storm at sea that separated him from his family when he was seven years old. He holds up a family heirloom, a bracelet his mother wore, as proof.

Marianne asks to examine it closer, then holds up her wrist, which bears an identical bracelet. She is Valere’s long-lost sister. Finally, Seigneur Anselme holds up a third bracelet: He is their father. The family rejoices at being reunited after so many years apart. Anselme tells them that he is incredibly wealthy, for after he was “swept to the shores of Africa on the back of a mast” (61), he made his fortune. Eventually, due to some misunderstandings, he left Africa for Paris and decided to change his name.

Harpagon has had enough of this and diverts the conversation back to the robbery. He demands that Seigneur Anselme compensate him for the ten thousand crowns Valere stole. At that moment, Cleante and La Fleche enter. Cleante declares, “Have no fear, father; this can be arranged. Here is the bargain: I give you your money, you give me Marianne” (61). He tells the group that Marianne’s mother has agreed to let her daughter marry whoever she pleases. Marianne turns to her father, who immediately gives his consent. Harpagon tells Seigneur Anselme if these marriages happen, he will not be able to give him a cent. Seigneur Anselme says it is not a problem—he will pay for both weddings himself. The characters are all left celebrating their happy endings. Harpagon, reunited with his strongbox, lies on the floor with it held to his chest while the others dance and sing around him.