Dr. Thornton
Tartuffe
The play opens with Orgons’s mother; Madame Pernelle, convinced of Tartuffe’s piety, leaving rather than listen to the concerns of the rest of the family who have seen though him. (Moliere 3). As it the play proceeds Tartuffe divides Orgon from his family (Moliere 12). The more they try to expose him the greater Orgon’s denial of the truth. Tartuffe’s control Orgon reaches the point where he tells his daughter, Mariane to break off her engagement to Valere, who she loves, and marry Tartuffe.(Moliere 15) Orgon’s son Damis and wife Elmire opposes this. Elmire tries to disuade Tartuffe from the marriage and he tries to seduce her. Damis over hears this and confronts Orgon. Rather than accept the truth, in a dramatic scene (Moliere 43) Orgon banishes his son and gives what would have been his inheritance, the house and everything to Tartuffe. Finally, Orgon’s wife convinces him by having him hide and witness Tartuffe attempting to make love to her. (Moliere 55) When Orgon realizes Tartuffe’s true nature he banishes Tartuffe from his household,(Moliere 60) but it is almost too late. It all belongs to Tartuffe who sends a bailiff to secure the property. (Moliere 66) Even worse, Tartuffe has stolen potentially dangerous documents from Orgon as well. (Moliere 70) The prince knows a rascal when he sees one in Tartuffe and saves Orgon, forgiving him for any misdeeds. When Tartuffe shows up with the police the next day to have Orgon dispossessed the officer arrests Tartuffe instead. (Moliere 73). Demonstrating the goodness of the clear sighted Prince. The play ends with the family off to thank the prince then celebrate the marriage of Mariane and Valere.
Works Cited
Moliere, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Tartuffe. Trans Curtis Hidden Page. The Gutenberg Project, 26 October 2008. Web. 21 January, 2012
