The Liar: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Liar" is a play centered around the character Dorante, a young student who uses his talent for deception to navigate social situations in Paris. His lies, particularly about his past and romantic exploits, charm several characters, including Lucrèce, a shy and virtuous woman who eventually marries him despite being initially misled. Géronte, Dorante's father, arrives in Paris with intentions to secure a marriage for his son, only to find himself entangled in Dorante’s web of deceit. He is tricked into believing that Dorante must marry to save a woman's honor, but ultimately, he reconciles with the situation and facilitates the marriage to Lucrèce. Other key characters include Clarice, betrothed to Alcippe, who is Dorante’s friend and becomes embroiled in the chaos of lies, and Cliton, Dorante's valet, who provides guidance in Paris. The play explores themes of truth, deception, and the complexities of relationships, inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of honesty and the consequences of lies.
The Liar: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Pierre Corneille
First published: 1644 (English translation, 1671)
Genre: Play
Locale: Paris, France
Plot: Farce
Time: Seventeenth century
Dorante (doh-RAHNT), a young student who has recently arrived in Paris to get a social education. A brazen liar, he accommodates himself so well to his new situation that he captivates Clarice, Lucrèce, and their companions with accounts of his heroic exploits in war and his extraordinary amatory adventures in Paris. Enmeshed more and more in a web of lies, mistaken identities, and the like, he finally marries Lucrèce, whom he swears he has loved all along.
Géronte (zhay-ROHNT), Dorante's father, who comes to Paris to arrange a marriage for his son. He is duped into believing that Dorante has been forced to marry a woman to save her honor. When he learns of the deception, he swears he will never again help his rogue of a son, but he docilely arranges for his marriage to Lucrèce nevertheless.
Lucrèce (lew-KREHS), a shy and virtuous girl who finally marries Dorante, who captivated her with his first lies on his arrival in Paris.
Clarice (klah-REES), a young girl betrothed to Alcippe, and a friend of Lucrèce.
Alcippe (ahl-SEEP), Dorante's friend and the jealous lover of Clarice, whom he finally marries after they all become extricated from the web of Dorante's lies.
Cliton (klee-TOHN), Dorante's valet and mentor in Paris, who is hired because of his military and amatory connections.
Philiste (fee-LEEST), a friend of Dorante and Alcippe.
Sabine (sah-BEEN), Lucrèce's maid and Dorante's fellow liar.