Literary Techniques in Tartuffe by Moliere
Moliere uses the comical play Tartuffe to show the hypocrisy of the religious people at that time. Tartuffe is a highly religious individual but he fails to impress certain people in the house such as Damis. These people feel that they must expose the hypocrisy of the man. The author through Orgon shows the way people can be gullible towards religious people. Orgon goes to the extent of even offering the daughter in marriage to Tartuffe. He even decides to leave his property as inheritance to Tartuffe.
The author uses several literary techniques. He uses comedy, irony, sarcasm and satire (Kasparek, 1977). Orgon has refused to listen to his family members. It is comical the deep belief Orgon has in Tartuffe’s devoutness (Hall, 1979) Dorine actually says... “but he’s quite lost his senses since he fell beneath Tartuffe’s infatuating spell. He calls him brother, and loves him as his life, preferring him to mother, child, or wife,” (Moliere, 2007) The author aimed to unmask prejudices and discrimination in society. The author shows that the people being elevated by society are not really worthy of such treatment. People have lost sight of the truth. Another comical scene showing the hypocrisy in religion is when the Madamme Pernelle says that Orante is a devout person. Dorine who is skeptical of that view replies that the only reason why it is considered to be so is because she lives her life alone, detached from people.
Even Madame Pernelle considers her own moral character to be very high. It is not to be so since later she slaps a person. This goes to show people that things are not as they seem. The author communicates that people should be like Dorine and not like Orgon as they interact with
the religious people of that day. Dorine is logical and highly intelligent. An example of the use of sarcasm is when Orgon come home from a business trip. His wife has fallen ill. However Orgon is not really interested in the welfare of his wife. He only has attention for his house guest, Tartuffe. Dorine, being observant and perceptive begins to answer Orgon’s questions on the state of the house affairs very sarcastically. The author uses dramatic irony a lot in the story. Dramatic irony refers to a situation where the audience understands the truth of a particular situation but the characters have limited knowledge of their situation. In the book, Damis hides in the room as he wants to expose Tartuffe. Tartuffe approaches the room with Elmere, Orgon’s wife. He makes advances towards her showing his real character. Damis at the point where Tartuffe suggests to Elmire that they become lovers shows himself and threatens that he will expose him.
After the incident, in another scene, Orgon hides to confirm whether what his family members are telling him is the truth. He hears Tartuffe telling Elmire of his love for her. Tartuffe even tells Elmire the way Orgon is gullible. He believes that he is everything he purposely expresses himself to be. Orgon, ironically before this scene, had been heaping praises on Tartuffe for looking over his family. It is ironical, since he has not really been looking after the family. Rather he has been seducing Elmire and acting very selfishly. Cleantine even tells Orgone at one time.. “How can you possibly be such a goose? Are you so dazed by this man’s hocus-pocus That all the world, save him, is out of focus?” (Moliere, 2007).
Irony is also depicted in the scene where Tartuffe descibes himself. He states that he is a terrible sinner. He is not really repentant. Verbal irony occurs in the story where Tartuffe admits to Orgon the words which Damis says he said to Elmire. He admits the words but says that he meant something else. He was misunderstood. He would never do such a thing.
Sarcasm is shown in the play when Dorine unexpectedly, starts to encourage Marianne to marry Tartuffe. She sees beneath his act and is sarcastic. She speaks of Tartuffe shortcomings kindly however she is just being sarcastic. The author uses the character of Cleantine to show how real christianity should be expressed. He is different form Tartuffe and not a hypocrite. He observes certain disciplines or has certain beliefs however he believes that religious people need not show their devoutness to everyone. The author uses satire to show the preoccupation of people with piety and zealousness. The act of Orgon disinheriting his family and naming Tartuffe as the heir shows the danger when people are obsessed with the zealous and pious people of that day. It shows that the hypocrites search for victims to manipulate under the guise of religion (Llyod, This was an author who would portray the society’s way of life through characters. He would place the characters in tough situations to show the world the futility in following certain kinds of people.
Conclusion
The religious people of that day were offended by the play. Moliere was a literary, artistic person able to clearly communicate his thoughts and views on the religious people. By the end of the play, the people get the message of the author clearly. It is not good to be gullible. Neither is it good to be a pretentious Christian.
Works Cited
Hall, Gaston. Moliere: Tartuffe. London: Arnold. 1979. Print.
Kasperek, Jerry. Moliere’s Tartuffe and the traditions of Roman Satire. North Carolina :
University of North Carolina Press. 1977. Print.
Lloyd, Harold. Tartuffe or the Imposter. Google Books. Web. 20th May, 2011.
Moliere, Jean-Baptiste. Tartuffe and Other Plays. New York: Signet Classics. 2007. Print.
