A good brief retelling of the actions is a detailed and accurate work, where the main events are correctly and concisely indicated. Such a brief summary is provided by the Literaguru team. And for full immersion in the text, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with Griboedov’s comedy analysis.
Action 1
The play begins with the awakening of the servant Lizanka, who guarded the mistress Sophia all night (here is her characteristic), because a friend secretly granted her - Molchalin (here an essay about him) She knocks on the door to the girl, saying that it is time to leave, but the lovers do not want to part with each other. Therefore, Lizanka decides to turn the clock; they beat. The head of the family and the father of Sophia - Famusov, who immediately begins to flirt with the maid, enter the room.
He wonders about his daughter if she is sleeping now, and when he finds out that she read novels all night, he begins to complain about books. Sophia interrupts their conversation, hailing her maid, after which Famusov leaves. It turns out his heiress, along with his own employee. Lisa begins to say that the couple is not careful, and they can be caught like that. The lovers say goodbye, Molchalin leaves, but on the threshold he meets with Famusov, who is extremely surprised how his assistant was next to his daughter’s room at such a time. The secretary is trying to get out of this situation, saying that he simply got by mistake into another room, strolling, but the boss does not believe him. He begins to report to his daughter that he found her at such an early hour alone with a man.
After their departure, Lisa informs Sofya that she needs to be extremely careful, and she should also understand that her father will never allow her to marry the poor. Only such as Skalozub with a successful career and a lot of money, suits her in a suit. But the young lady is categorically against him, considering him an overly stupid person. Lisa recalls Chatsky, about their emotional relations in childhood, but Sophia considers it just fun, because then they were children.
At the same moment, the servant reports the arrival of Chatsky (here is his description), who left abroad a couple of years ago. The man is very happy to see his childhood friend, begins to remember the past years. But the girl herself does not share the enthusiasm about this and calls their relationship childish. Famusov interrupts their conversation, who is glad to see the guest and is trying to find out from him what he was abroad. But the young man does not answer his questions, only casually mentions that Sophia has changed a lot, and later escapes. But Famusov remains in his thoughts, reflecting on how difficult it is to be the father of an adult daughter.
Action 2
Famusov speaks with a servant, telling him to get a calendar to note the affairs and meetings that must be attended. Later, Chatsky arrives, who is interested in Sophia’s condition and asks her father how he would react if Alexander asked for the hand and heart of his daughter. The man answered him that he should serve and get a high rank. But the guest does not agree with this, he is glad to serve, but not to attend. Then Famusov calls him a proud man, and tells the story of his uncle, who reached a great rank because of the ability to attend. But, according to Chatsky, you need to do your job well, and not suck up to people who are higher in rank. His opponent believes that with this approach, the young wit will not achieve anything.
At this moment, Colonel Skalozub arrives, whom the landlord considers an ideal candidate for his daughter, and he himself is interested in this issue. But Chatsky meets in conversation, starting to talk about Famusov’s entourage, in which the rank plays a more significant role than the person himself. The elderly nobleman accuses the guest of dissent, and later leaves, leaving the two candidates alone in the arms of his daughter.
After a couple of minutes, Sophia runs into the room in a state of fright. Looking out the window, she falls unconscious, thinking that Molchalin died when he fell from a horse. Chatsky later notes that everything is fine with the man and he is alive, but you can only be so worried about a “best friend”. The young lady accuses him of coldness, revealing to her insightful interlocutor her true attitude to Molchalin.
A secretary appears, who apologizes for the turmoil caused by him. Sophia also says that she reacts too violently to everything. Soon Chatsky, and after him Skalozub leave the room. The heroine shows all her concern to Molchalin, but in return he accuses her of excessive frankness, which can ruin them. Lisa advises chatting with Chatsky in order to avoid unnecessary accusations towards Molchalin. The young lady leaves for her father, leaving the maid and her lover alone, who begins to flirt with the maid and confess her love. He loves Sophia only by job, and so she does not interest him at all. After his departure, the lady comes into the room, who asks Lisa to transfer so that Molchalin comes to her.
Action 3
Chatsky wants to find out from Sophia who is her lover, but she does not open before him. However, the man already understands that her heart belongs to Molchalin.
At this moment, the servants are preparing the house for the upcoming ball. Slowly, guests gather, including: Natalya Dmitrievna and Platon Mikhailovich Gorichi, Prince Tugoukhovsky with his wife and six daughters, Countess Khryumina (grandmother and granddaughter), Anton Antonovich Zagoretsky, Old woman Khlestova. Everyone begins to revolve around Chatsky, because he had just returned from abroad, in addition to a bachelor. He himself watches the guests and chuckles. Talking with Sophia, he observes how Molchalin skillfully sucked up Mrs. Khlestova, praising her spitz. After his departure, the girl spreads a rumor about Alexander's madness. The guests enthusiastically picked up this news, saying that they immediately understood it, because the young man condemns serfdom, blat, nepotism and careerism of senior officials. How can one say that in their right mind?
Chatsky enters, all the guests shy away from him. He himself says that Moscow disappointed him. He talks about his meeting with a foreigner in another room, when the man did not want to go to Russia because of the fear of someone else, but when he arrived, he realized that he was very mistaken, because he lived as if he had not left his home. Chatsky does not like the fashion for imitation of foreigners, he makes fun of the "cross between the French and Nizhny Novgorod", which communicates with the upper world. While he was saying this, all the guests scattered around the room, starting to do their own thing.
Action 4
The ball is over, and the guests begin to leave Famusov’s house. The protagonist is in a sad mood waiting for his crew. Suddenly, Repetilov runs out to meet him, who is glad to see him. He begins to talk about his life, about where he was now. He persuades his friend to go with him, but Chatsky manages to escape when the interlocutor switches to Skalozub. Later, Zagoretsky tells him about Chatsky's madness, but he does not believe in it. He begins to ask different guests, but the answer is the same. This news amazes Alexander, who inadvertently eavesdrops on the conversation of those leaving.
Hearing the voice of Sophia, calling Molchalin, he decides to hide and see how the case ends. At the same time, Lisa calls the secretary, and he, in turn, bombards her with compliments, saying that he acts on the principle of his father, pleasing everyone, but he is not going to marry Famusov’s daughter. Sophia hears all this, she understands, the gentleman deceived her. When he sees her, he begs forgiveness, and the young lady tells him to leave here, otherwise she will inform her father about everything. Next comes Chatsky, who accuses her of betraying him for the sake of a scoundrel. She asks for leniency, saying that the fault lies only with her.
After a couple of minutes, the whole house comes down. Famusov was amazed that he found his daughter with a madman, whom she herself had exposed. Chatsky comes to the conclusion that Sophia is to blame for the false rumor. The owner of the house continues to be indignant: he decides to send the girl to isolation from urban society, and he orders Alexander to leave. Chatsky decides to leave Russia forever, since this country did not live up to his hopes. In the end, he blames Sophia, who fooled his head, while he was blinded by memories and hope. But now he does not regret the break. Famusov is most worried about what Princess Marya Aleksevna will think!
