Oronte and Célimène arrive and Oronte requests Célimène to make a choice between him or Alceste; if she chooses him, he does not want her to see Alceste any more. Célimène does not understand, since recently Oronte had praised Alceste. As Oronte is awaiting Célimène's decision, Alceste steps forward and affirms that he wants a similar decision in his favor. The two men agree that Célimène must choose and each is shocked that she seems to hesitate in making her decision.
Célimène thinks it would be rude to openly express her preference. Both men avow that her silence indicates that she likes the other; both demand a decision.
At this point Eliante and Philinte arrive, and Célimène appeals to Eliante for help. Eliante, however, says that she is "on the side of those who speak their mind." Again both men demand an answer from Célimène.
