Woe from Wit

"Woe from Wit" is a verse comedy in four acts by Alexander Sergeyevich Griboyedov, written in the first quarter of the 19th century and considered one of the greatest works of Russian drama. The plot unfolds in Moscow, in the house of a wealthy official, Pavel Afanasyevich Famusov. A young nobleman, Alexander Andreyevich Chatsky, returns to Moscow after a three-year absence, driven by his love for Famusov's daughter, Sophia. However, much has changed during his travels: Sophia has grown cold toward him and has become infatuated with her father's secretary, Molchalin—a servile, calculating, and hypocritical man who does not actually love her but merely pretends to for the sake of career advancement. Chatsky—an educated, witty, independently-thinking man—comes into conflict with conservative Moscow society. Famusov and his circle embody inertia, rank-worship, servility, and reverence for all things foreign. Among the typical representatives of this world are Colonel Skalozub, a crude careerist dreaming of a general's rank; the chatterbox Repetilov, who parodies liberal ideas; the gossip Zagoretsky; and numerous guests at Famusov's ball. The climax of the play occurs during the ball scene, where Sophia, irritated with Chatsky, casually drops a remark about his madness. The rumor instantly spreads among the guests and grows with fantastic embellishments. Society readily declares Chatsky insane—after all, his views contradict accepted norms. In the finale, Chatsky witnesses Molchalin's exposure: the latter confesses to the maid Liza that he does not love Sophia and courts her only out of calculation. Sophia overhears this confession and drives Molchalin away. Famusov catches his daughter with Chatsky and accuses them both. Deeply disillusioned in love, in society, and in Sophia herself, Chatsky delivers his famous monologue and leaves Moscow. The central theme of the comedy is the clash between a progressive, critically-thinking individual and a stagnant, hypocritical society. Griboyedov masterfully shows that intelligence, honesty, and independence of judgment are perceived by this society as madness and a threat. The play has been divided into aphorisms ("The happy don't watch the clock," "I'd gladly serve, but groveling makes me sick," "And who are the judges?") and remains relevant to this day.