Blog members had a lively discussion on Acts 1 and 2 of
The Way of the World, arguing persuasively (and unanimously!) that Mirabell is not a hero, certainly not in the usual sense. Let's continue the dialogue on that topic. If Mirabell isn't a hero, what is he? How does he compare to the other characters in the play (Fainall, for instance)? Are Mirabell and Fainall moral equals? If so, why? If not, why not?
It most definitely can be a unanimous agreement that Mirabell is far from a hero, and does not possess many heroic qualities. In my opinion, Mirabell seems more to be a determined person who does whatever it takes to get what he wants, which is Millimant and her fortune. Compared to the other characters in the play he comes off to be more manipulative and always a step ahead of others. In comparison with Fainall, they both seem to enjoy the company of women. Mirabell has had love affairs with many women in the story including both Fainall’s mistress and wife, Mrs. Marwood and Mrs. Fainall. Even though they do possess these few similarities, they have many extreme differences that help decipher who has good intentions and who doesn’t. Although Mirabell has his faults and aimlessly fights for his love, he is a good person and has good intentions. Mirabell is human and has made many mistakes, but deep down he is a good person and genuinely loves Millamant. Fainall turns out to have eerie qualities. In Act III he has a conversation with his mistress about leaving his wife, he states, “If worse comes to worst, I’ll turn my wife to grass (divorce) I have already a deed of settlement of the best part of her estate, which I wheedled out of her, and that you shall partake at least.”Mirabell’s desire to change from his rake like ways, and fully commit to Millimant speaks highly of the person he has become. Fainall is continuing an affair with Marwood despite his marriage to Mrs. Fainall. I do not think they are equals. Unlike Fainall, Mirabell is mending his ways and has good intentions in the end.
ReplyDelete----Dream Big
I would have to agree with Dream Big in saying that Mirabell is in no way a hero. Although I don't view him as a hero, I do not think that he is a bad person. He seems like someone that looks out for himself and his own success. This wouldn't be so bad if he weren't manipulative on others to get what he sees himself as needing or what he wants.
ReplyDeleteMirabell can be seen as somewhat as a womanizer or a present day player.He has gone after several women and slept with them, even if they were married. Just as Dream Big mentioned, he slept with Fainall's wife.This ties back into me saying that he looks out for himself in selfish and manipulative ways towards others lives and feelings.
As far as Fainall and Mariball being moral equals, I'm one to think that no sin outweighs another.They both have done things that can be considered immoral, but who hasn't. They are both humans and are capable of making mistakes like we all are, I think that it is too early to determine their morals. I say this because its the way that we handle our mistakes and strive to correct them that determines the type of people that we are. Fainall and Mirabell both have things that need to be worked on in their lives, so for now I think that they are morally equal.
-ALIAS 92
Mirabell is a hero. Everyone likes him except Faiinall. Fainall is trying to keep Mirabell from marrying Millimant because he does not want him to get her fortune. Mrs. Fainall is fond of Mirabell but both realized that it was pointless because neither could gain anything by staying together. Thus she married Fainall. Mrs. Fainall and Mirabell still are friends. The lady who controls half of millimants fortune does not like Mirabell because fainall has told her that the only reason mirabell wants to marry millimant is to get her fortune. This is why Mirabell is a hero and a better person than fainall. Mirabell truly loves Millimant and wants the fortune only because he wants to live a easy lifestyle in the city with her. Without the fortune they would be laboring in the country to survive. This is why it is so important for Mirabell to get on lady Wishforts good side. He is doing this for himself but he is also doing it for Millimant as well. Together they will have a great life as long as they can obtain her fortune. Fainall is jealous of Mirabell because he knows he always gets what he wants and that everyone loves him. Therefore I will have to disagree with alias 92 and say that they are not equals. The only way they could be equals is if fainall accepted that Mirabell is not doing this solely for his own gain but for the gain of millamont as well. Fainall also needs to realize that he does love her and to tell lady wishfort that.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with Alias and Dream Big in the sense that Mirabell is not quite the hero but also agree with Real that he has heroic qualities in him. He is going to do whatever he can in order to benefit himself even with people standing in his way. Mirabell's main goal is to be with Millamant so he is just trying to defeat the obstacles to reach that. Like Real said, the only person that doesnt seem to like him that much is Lady Wishfort so he cannot be that bad if only one person doesnt approve of him. Lady Wishfort does not like him because she is older and can see his intentions for coming to the house are not to see her, but to see Millamant.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mirabell and Fainall are not equals. They have similar qualities but they are very different. Fainall is married with a mistress and Mirabell is manipulating his way to get the girl he loves. They are not equals because yes, Mirabell is considered the player and having many different relationships with women but Fainall is the husband who is cheating on his wife with his lover Mrs. Marwood. That is not exactly an equal match up.
Mirabell cannot be considered a hero because a hero does not only look out for himself, he looks out for everyone around him. Fainall and Mirabell are not equals because Mirabell is going to make it known what he wants while Fainall is going to hide all of his wrong doings and secrets.
-sunflower92
I agree with real, Mirabell is a hero for trying to provide a good life for his future family. Although he is not perfect I feel as though he is stuck in a situation that has gotten out of hand. His plot is quite devious which takes away from the heroic qualities, but at least he does it thinking about his future instead of just greed. Fainal, the antagonist, forces his wife to sign a contract that ensures his property if they separate. This shows that Fainal does not really care about his wife. Also, he is starting to plot behind his friends back. Fainal wants to keep Mirabell from marrying Millament so that he can obtain half of her inheritance. Despite his past Mirabell wants to move past it and Lady Wishfort will not forgive him. Almost like a tragic hero whose past still haunts him. Fainal cheats on his wife proving that he does not hold himself up to a moral standard that heroes should follow. Mirabell and Fainal are not equals at all. Mirabell is fighting to get a woman all of her inheritance. He is not just doing it for himself. Fainal wants to get all of the money for himself. He is a greedy man with no moral standards.
ReplyDeleteKhalost
I can’t necessarily agree with anyone above, but I would just like to express my opinion on why there are differing views on whether or not Mirabell is a hero. There is obvious discrepancy between the understandings of a hero. Mirabell isn’t necessarily heroic in many senses of the word hero. He doesn’t put his own life on the line to help others, he isn’t selfless. But in comparison to Fainall, you could consider Mirabell a hero- in the sense that he has better intentions when it comes to the basis of relationship. I feel Mirabell truly defines himself in first act while describing his love towards Millament. “Her follies are so natural, or so artful, that they become her, and those affections which in another woman would be odious, serve but to make her more agreeable.” (2232) Mirabell convinces me, as a reader, that he has genuine love for Millament. He doesn’t love her for his own benefit, her superficial beauties, or social status- It is what sets her apart; her unique qualities and blemishes, that makes her so irresistible. And if you acknowledge his relationships with the others around him; he may be manipulative, but his justification is in his motives. His actions don’t hurt anybody- they aren’t undermining or destructive, and ultimately his planning will put himself and his true love together. Only when analyzing the contrasting motives of Mirabell and Fainall do you realize their moral differences. Fainall may be just as self centered as Mirabell, but don’t put them on an equal moral standing. He is self centered for all of the wrong reasons. His ultimate goal isn’t developed within a mind of genuine allure for an everlasting relationship, but for skin-deep qualities: ownership of land and money.
ReplyDelete