Oronte, a rival suitor for the hand of Célimène, interrupts the discussion between Alceste and Philinte. He praises Alceste highly and pledges everlasting friendship. Alceste refrains from entering into a pledged bond of friendship, maintaining that the two men should get to know each other somewhat better. Oronte then suggests that by way of establishing their friendship Alceste should evaluate a sonnet he (Oronte) has just written. As he reads the poem, Philinte praises certain parts while Alceste recoils from both the poem and the praise. Finally, Alceste is so angered at the false praise that he has difficulty in restraining himself. As Oronte forces Alceste to make an evaluation of the poem, Alceste cannot bring himself to flatter such a piece of nonsense. He eventually tells Oronte that the poem, style, and subject matter are sheer affectation. He advises Oronte to put the poem away and never read it again in public. When Oronte realizes that Alceste will not praise the poem according to the custom of society, Oronte becomes highly indignant and leaves in a fit of rage.
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