Analysis 1

Running head: Analysis

Analysis-Tartuffe

Elisha Sonson

Argosy University

Analysis 2

Nested in the Paris quarters of Orgon and Elmire, Tartuffe was a spiritual man under

pretense who was invited by the affluent Orgon to take up residency in their home. Like Othello,

Orgon best friend Tartuffe and adoring him as if he were a saint. Although all of Orgon

associates and families tried to caution him of Tartuffe intensions, Orgon saw no wrong in this

virtuous foreigner. Orgon trusted Tartuffe to a point where he forced his daughter to marry the

stranger and felt the need to disown his son and make Tartuffe his sole recipient to his wealth.

The nature of Tartuffe symbolizes people in the public who advocate creed but do not live

by the maxims they impose upon others. Madame Pernelle as Orgon was also sickened with

Orgon’s family and friends for the way the family treated Tartuffe and threatened to leave the

family. Act I Scene I supports this view. In the play Madame Pernelle exclaims, “He is a holy

man, and must be heeded, I can’t endure with any show of patience to hear a scatterbrains like

you attack him.” It is evident that Madame Pernelle could not tolerate Orgon’s family attacking

Tartuffe any longer, thus announces that she is departing.

The play seems to demonstrate many forms of power. The four types of power that I

identified in the play are power of control, power of religion, power of authority and power of

deceit. I perceived Dorine to hold the power of control because she always had her say. In the

play, Madame Pernelle shouts to Elmire saying, “There! That’s the kind of rigmarole to please

you, daughter-in-law. One never has a chance to get a word in edgewise at your house because

this lady (speaking of Dorine) holds the floor all day” (Act I Scene I). Madame Pernelle realized

that Dorine was in control of Elmire’s house because she had the floor. Tartuffe meanwhile, had

the power of religion. He uses that power to a point where he had everyone fooled, believing that

he was a holly man. In the play, Madame Pernelle says, “He is a holy man and must be heeded”

(referring to Tartuffe). Damis in his response to Madame Pernelle’s statement exclaims, “What!

Analysis 3

Shall I let a bigot criticaster come and usurp a tyrant power here? And shall we never dare amuse

ourselves till this fine gentleman design to consent?” (Act I Scene I). Damis apparently realized

that Tartuffe is a con man who is after his father’s fortune. Damis is also conscious of the fact

that the type of power that Tartuffe holds is not hereditary or constitutional rather one that he

uses unreasonably and tyrannically.

The power of authority is prevalent in the play. Orgon hold the power of authority and in is

the authoritative disposition wanted his family to see and accept Tartuffe for the holy man that he

is. Everyone in the family except Orgon and Madame Pernelle sees Tartuffe as the ‘wolf in

sheep’s clothing.’ Only a man in authority as Orgon would force his daughter to marry a man

like Tartuffe. Orgon knowing Mariane (his daughter) would do anything he asked of her used his

authoritative persona to lure her into marrying Tartuffe. Act II Scene I illustrates that fact. Orgon

declares to Mariane, “Mariane in you I’ve always found a daughter dutiful and gentle. So I’ve

always love you dearly.” In response to her father’s words Mariane utters, “I’m grateful for your

fatherly affection.” Orgon in his commanding role replies, “Well spoken daughter, Now, prove

you deserve it. By doing s as I wish in all respects.” (Act II Scene I). Orgon holding that power

over Mariane got her to a point of admitting that she loves Tartuffe even when she would

otherwise not have conformed to such lie.

The final power is the power of deceit. I would hand that Oscar to Tartuffe because his

character was nothing but deceitful. He (Tartuffe) thanks Elmire’s for her kindness and at the

same time uses that moment to lure his lustful affection onto her. Tartuffe squeezed Elmire’s

hand tight, sliding his hands to her knee. In the play Tartuffe proclaims to Elmire, “But men like

me are so discreet in love that you may take guard our own good name; May fully guarantee the

one we love, so you may find with hearts like ours sincere”. Elmire replies, “But don’t you fear

Analysis 4

that I may take a fancy to tell my husband of your gallant passion” (Act II Scene III). Meanwhile

Damis overhearing their conversation exclaims to Elmire, “To spare him now would be a

mockery; The rascal has ruled my father and the traitor now must be unmasked before him, to

heaven I owe the opportunity” (Act II Scene IV). Orgon upon hearing the new from his son

asked Tartuffe to confirm his dishonesty but sure enough, Tartuffe played Orgon for a fool by

admitting to his wrongdoing using his religious charms.

The power that each character holds was clearly misused in every sense. For instance,

Dorine misuses her controlling power to dominate Orgon’s household in every way. She controls

their every word. In the play for example, Orgon tells Dorine “You hark me, you’ve taken on

yourself hence in the house. A sort of free familiarity, that’s I don’t like I tell you frankly, girl

(Act II Scene II). Although Dorine was the servant, she controlled Organ’s household as if she

was his wife. Tartuffe misuses his religious power to prey on Organ’s and his family every way

he could. Tartuffe for example, uses spiritual words to mold Orgon’s conscience after Damis

reported to him the conversation between him (Tartuffe) and Elmire. In the play, Tartuffe uses

those words, “Brother in God’s name, don’t be angry with him” (Act III Scene VI). Tartuffe

knew the right choice of word to say to Orgon. He (Orgon) on the other hand misused his

authoritative power to manipulate Mariane to do what he wants. In the play, Orgon asked

Mariane to marry Tartuffe if she wants to be deserving of his love. Organ says to Mariane, “So

I’ve always love you dearly; Now prove you deserve it.” Orgon only cared about what he wanted

and misused his power to make Mariane do what he wants. Tartuffe misused his power and in

such a deceitful way to lure Elmire into a passionate affair with him. In the play, Elmire told

Tartuffe, “What’s your hand doing there?” Tartuffe responds, “Feeling your gown your stuff is

Analysis 5

soft” (Act III Scene III). Tartuffe knew that he was preying on Elmire’s emotions but he could

care less how she felt. All Tartuffe wanted was to inherit Orgon’s fortune and divide his family.

To conclude, Tartuffe like Shakespeare’s Othello, is all about deceit, lies and power.

Dorine the servant controls Orgon’s household as if it were hers. Tartuffe the deceitful con man

puts on a faithful and honest personality to prey on Orgon and his family but underneath his

shield is a deceitful persona. Orgon meanwhile used Mariane as his prey because she believed I

him and in order for her to continue deserving of his love she must do as he says. The characters

in the play Tartuffe, demonstrates a true portrait of people in modern day society who does not

hold true to the maxims they impose on others.

Analysis 6

References

Molière, Tartuffe (English Edition) Published in 1664 VBID L-999-71460, Argosy University

Online Book Source, (2010)