Tartuffe

A detailed Summary of Tartuffe

In Moliere's comedy Tartuffe, The play centers on the family of Orgon, a wealthy and impressionable man, his central target of ridicule is Orgon. Orgon is Moliere's character of how man can be so blind in his devotion to a belief that he cannot make a good judgement as to the sincerity of others who would use that belief to deceive him. This play fits into the concept of comedy because all of the elements of comedy are present. It happens that the title character is the villain rather than the hero and some of the elements have been tampered with. In Tartuffe, we have the classic comic scenario of two lovers, Valere and Marianne, trying to get together but being thwarted. However, instead of the villain, Tartuffe is not the one who is antagonizing them, it is Orgon who gets in the way. Orgon tries to flatter Tartuffe by offering Marianne to be his wife. Before it is all over, Orgon ends up giving the deed to all his land to the deceitful Tartuffe. The other comic elements such as the unmasking of the villain and the happy ending are also present in Tartuffe.

It is in the duality of Orgon, who is a believing and devoted subject, and Tartuffe, the manipulating hypocrite. Moliere takes his shot at the extremes of enthusiast

ic belief. Tartuffe plays the role of a man whose greedy actions are cloaked by a mask of overwhelming piety, modesty and religious passion. Orgon is the head of a household who has taken Tartuffe in, and given him shelter and food. Everyone in the family, except Orogon's mother, knows that Tartuffe is a fake. In this play Moliere uses Cleante to emphasize pious qualities, Cleante spoke with wisdom common sense and moderation. All of Orgon's relatives try to warn him of Tartuffe's gluttony and the false nature of his pious proclamations. When Dorine tries to tell Orgon about how sick Elmire is, all Orgon can say is "Ah and Tartuffe?" He is only concerned with the well being of Tartuffe. When she tries to explain that Tartuffe has no concern for Elmire's health, and that he is only concerned with eating food, all he can say is "Poor fellow!" Orgon is so caught up in his own perception of Tartuffe as a saint, and all that Tartuffe does. It is as if Tartuffe can do no wrong.

Despite the protestations of his sensible brother-in-law Cleante and his son Damis, Orgon determines that his daughter Mariane, who is in love with a young man named Valere, shall marry Tartuffe. When Orgon's wife Elmir

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 813
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Tartuffe

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