Examples Of Hypocrisy In Tartuffe

Hypocrisy is the act of claiming to have moral beliefs to which one’s own conduct does not accommodate. As La Rochefoucauld said, “Hypocrisy is the homage which vice pays to virtue.” In other words, it is the form of respect that immoral behavior pays to virtue because it’s the closest way a person can pretend to be righteous and have high moral standards. Even though a hypocrite knows that what he or she is doing is not the truth, they are still able to deceive the people around them. In this case, social interaction is treated as a performance. One’s virtues are one’s own vices in disguise and an individual’s vices are overshadowed by the fake act that they put on. In Molière’s play, the hypocritical character, Tartuffe, uses his hypocrisy

Before she could speak, Tartuffe pulls out a handkerchief for her to cover her breasts with. He says, “Cover that bosom, girl. The flesh is weak. And unclean thoughts are difficult to control. Such sights as that can undermine the soul” (1434). In other words, Tartuffe feels that Dorine is too exposed and having to look at her chest will distract him and cause him to have a strong sexual desire. That sexual desire then becomes present once Elmire comes to talk to him. Therefore, Tartuffe is guilty of the vice lust and disloyalty. As Elmire approaches Tartuffe, he instantly lavishes her with blessings and is ecstatic that he has alone time with her. He says, “It floods my heart with bliss to find myself alone with you like this. For just this chance I’ve prayed with all my power. But prayed in vain, until this happy hour” (1435). Tartuffe has been praying to get the chance to be alone with Elmire and now that he has gotten the chance he is experiencing great joy. He uses this alone time as an opportunity to seduce her. His lust has grown too strong which leads him to constantly touch Elmire. He goes from pressing her fingertips, placing his hand on her knee, to stroking her lace collar. Tartuffe then confesses his love for her while using the excuse that even though he is pious, he is still a human being (1437). This proves his disloyalty towards Orgon. Orgon has welcomed Tartuffe into his

Before reacting, Orgon immediately approaches Tartuffe to see if what Damis is saying is accurate. He confesses that Damis is telling the truth and that he is nothing but a wicked man. Tartuffe says, “I’ll not defend myself, but take the blame. Believe what you are told, and drive Tartuffe like some base criminal from beneath your roof” (1440). He tells Orgon to trust Damis and to kick him out of his home for committing such a sin. Therefore, he is putting on a fake performance. Tartuffe is trying to manipulate Orgon by using reverse psychology. However, Orgon does the complete opposite. He does not believe Damis and ends up lashing out his anger on him. He says, “Out of my house this minute! Be off with you, And never dare set foot in it again” (1441). Orgon disinherits Damis and forbids him to come back to the house. Finally, Orgon becomes an unfaithful family man and decides to make Tartuffe his only heir which is what Tartuffe has been striving for. Tartuffe’s hypocrisy has officially led him to defraud an entire family out of its morality and happiness in order to achieve his