Differences And Similarities Between The Enlightenment Era And Tartuffe

The Enlightenment Period
The European Enlightenment Period lasted from the seventeenth century to the eighteenth century. It was embodied in the belief of individualism and reason. The two major sides of the movement were, moderns and ancients. Both sides believed that reason should be everyone’s guide. Moderns believed in individualism, extensive education, and global exploration. Ancients were fearful of individualism and the new changes. They feared change would cause moral degradation, self consumption, and social ostracization. Modernity won the movement and made it into the Enlightenment Period, that is known today.
During the Enlightenment period literacy rates and intellectual thinking grew tremendously. People from all classes began to question authority and challenge it. They realized royals were ordinary people like themselves. They questioned the divine right to rule, kings

and queens claimed they had. The challenge of authority led to many civil wars, revolutions, and royal executions. The Church was often questioned and mocked by people and in plays such as, Tartuffe. Those who disagreed with the Catholic Church seeked religious freedom in the Americas.
Women’s rights were argued and fought for in the Enlightenment Period. Feminist like Mary Wollstonecraft and Sor Juana Indés de la Cruz fought for women’s education and freedom. Women writers became more prominent in the late seventeenth century. Society did not fully recognize them as self-reliant beings, yet women were gaining more rights.
Act I of Tartuffe
The first act of Tartuffe introduces the characters and theme.

The opening character is a self-righteous old lady, Madame Pernelle. She is the mother of the man of the house, Orgon. She flees the house criticizing her family. She claims they, except Orgon, are sinfully creatures who stir up gossip and trouble. Dorin, the servant is quickly shown to be the comedic relief. She mocks the sanctimonious characters and voices reason. Orgon’s children are presented as helpless beings who do not dare to question authority. His wife, Elmire, does not develop enough in Act I for opinions to be properly formed. Her brother, however, is introduced as the main voice of reason. He is respectful but is not afraid to express his belief. Orgon is the man of the house who is influenced by an offstage character. He is a self-righteous man who plans to break his promise to his daughter. The offstage character that causes all of the fights in Act I is Tartuffe. He is a peasant who has control of Orgon. Orgon believes that Tartuffe is a saint and treats him like a

king.