Commentary on Tartuffe Essay

Tartuffe is one of many great plays written by the French playwright Moliere. The play centers on Orgon, a well to do Parisian who has become close friends with Tartuffe, whom he met in church. He was so impressed with Tartuffes supposed devoutness and piety that he decided to take him into his home as a moral guide and religious teacher. Much to the chagrin of his family, except for his mother Madame Pernelle, Orgons attention is fiercely devoted to Tartuffe, who has become his closest friend and personal confidante. He refuses to heed the warnings of his brother in law Cleante when he tries to convince him that Tartuffe is only using Orgon for personal and financial gain. Throughout the play, Orgon is blind to the hypocrisy of Tartuffes feigned religious devoutness. Even his mother had admonished the household for not taking Tartuffes advice. She planned to leave the home because she could not stand the criticisms they all had about Tartuffe.

I thought the play transcends modern times even though it was written over 300 years ago. Even though Tartuffe presented himself as a devout man of religion, it became apparent early on that he did not practice what he preached. This happens on many occasions in todays world. Many people are duped by peoples sincere nature, not realizing that theyre being used. Orgon fell for the scheme, but his family and friends could see right through Tartuffes faade. It was obvious that Orgon was blinded by Tartuffes saint like aura. He excessively worshiped the man and treated him much better than he did his wife and children.

I found it interesting how influential Tartuffe was on Orgon. Orgon quickly became deeply devoted to Tartuffe. He and his wife mother would first consult with him before they decided to take any action. Orgon eventually decided that his daughter, Mariane, would no longer marry her long time love Valere, even though they are engaged. He contends that Tartuffe would be a finer suitor, and Mariane refuses to object, being too obedient to deny her fathers wishes. In a later scene, Orgons son, Damis, is hiding in a closet to overhear a conversation with Orgons wife Elmire and Tartuffe. Tartuffe propositions Elmire with the offer of having an affair with him. He promised not to say anything to anyone, so that his reputation as a pious man would stay intact. She refuses, and says she will not reveal his sexual advances if he convinces her husband that Mariane should marry Valere. At this moment Damis reveals himself, and vows to tell Orgon of Tartuffes attempt to seduce Elmira. When he confronts his father with the accusation, he dismisses it and banishes Damis from the house. This shows Tartuffes strong clout in the household, and how easily he can have Orgon side with him.

Tartuffe was able to manipulate Orgon very easily. Since Orgon deeply trusted him, he gave Tartuffe incriminating documents for safekeeping. These documents belonged to a friend of Orgons, who had fled the country to avoid legal problems. These documents play an important role in the play. Elmire convinces Orgon to hide under a table and listen to the conversation she and Tartuffe were to have. This was a last ditch effort to convince him that Tartuffe was not the man he claimed to be. Elmire claims to want to have an affair with Tartuffe, and he tells her to prove it with a physical act of passion. After hearing this, Orgon appears from under the table and orders Tartuffe out of the house. Tartuffe tries to use the documents to get Orgon arrested and to gain possession of his house, but that backfired. He ended up being arrested for committing crimes under a different name, and Orgon got to keep his house and avoid being taken into custody. The King pardoned him for keeping the strongbox.

I thought the play was interesting in how the events unfolded. At first I was skeptical as to how Orgon was so oblivious to the actual intents of Tartuffe. His family and friends were immediately concerned with him keeping company with Tartuffe. The way he became deeply devoted to him is no different than the world today. People become deeply entrenched in their religion and disregard how they treat other people. Orgon was too busy trying to reform himself and his family, and he failed to realize that he had become the oppressive leader of the household. As a result, the relationship with his family began to deteriorate. The problem was only exacerbated when he allowed Tartuffe to stay in the house with him. Deception was a prevalent theme in the play, and no one was deceived more than Orgon. But this tactic was not just used by the villain of the story. The two scenes in which Tartuffe is eavesdropped on are examples of deception. This sort of behavior was the only way that Orgon would be convinced that Tartuffe was a fraud. If the family tried to talk to Orgon, he would disregard whatever they had to say. I guess he figured he was the man of the house, the top of the hierarchal ladder in the household. Im glad the family banded together to try and set Orgon straight. They used deception as a way to stop Orgon from becoming to oppressive and to restore harmony to the family. Tartuffe used it in a different way, trying to con Orgon to benefit himself. In the end, good triumphs over evil, a fitting end to an excellent play.