‘Instructor’s Name’
Tartuffe by Moliere
Tartuffe is a French theatrical comedy which was first performed in the year 1664 at the Versailles fêtes. It was written by Molière, who was considered one of the all time greats of French playwright. The play pokes fun at people who are easily fooled by persons claiming to be moral and religious authorities. The religious fraternity of the Seventeenth century France, were not amused by this satire and they influenced the King Louis XIV, to issue a ban on the play.
Tartuffe is a holy man, whom Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle have brought into their family. He in reality is a despicable fraud who poses as a religious zealot. But the rest of the family members, who sees through him and finds out his evil intentions, demand his ouster. But Tartuffe, who enjoys the unquestioned loyalty of the head of the family, tries to seduce Elmire, Orgon’s wife and almost succeeds in making him disown his children. But Orgon throughout most of the play is blind to Tartuffe’s treachery and hands over his entire estate to him.
Frustrated and dismayed by her husband’s naivety, Elmire plans a trap for Tartuffe and pleads her husband to hide under a table and overhear the conversation between her and Tartuffe. Through this Orgon comes to know Tartuffe’s deceitfulness and asks him to leave his house at once. But Tartuffe possessed some incriminating letters that belonged to Orgon (written by his friend) and threatens him with it. He also gets a court order to evict the family out of the house by claiming that the house belonged to him. Next day Tartuffe’s comes with a police officer to arrest Orgon, but the officer arrests him instead, saying that the King saw right through his scheme. It is later known that Tartuffe has a long criminal history and the entire family convey their thanks to the King.
Though the play was liked by the common public and also by Louis XIV, it offended the members of the Catholic Church and the few members of the French Aristocracy, resulting in Molière rewriting the play. Even the revised version was allowed only to be performed in private functions till the year 1669. Though Tartuffe faced unwanted controversy it is considered to be one of the most influential comic plays of its time. The play emphasizes on the need for rational morality in life. A clear analysis of the play shows that, it did not make fun of religion but it rather ridiculed the people who used religion for manipulating people.
