The Miser

Act 3 begins with Harpagon, Cleante, Elise, Valere, Master Jacques, and La Fleche preparing for dinner that night. Harpagon delegates each of the tasks, taking care that every penny possible is saved. Master Jacques assures Harpagon he will prepare the finest of dinners for the bride-to-be, provided he is given plenty of money. At this, Harpagon erupts in anger, and Valere speaks up to offer his own input. He tells Master Jacques, “Any fool can put on a grand meal with plenty of money, but the true chef knows how to put on a feast with next to nothing” (32). This pleases Harpagon, who subsequently fires Master Jacques from his duties as chef and puts Valere in charge instead.

Harpagon then instructs Master Jacques to clean the coaches and fetch the horses so he can take Marianne, Elise, and Frosine to the carnival until dinner. Master Jacques asks Harpagon if he has seen the horses lately: They are starving and waif-like since Harpagon has been stingy with their food and upkeep. Valere again jumps in to save the day, offering his neighbor’s horses and carriage for Harpagon to use.