Tartuffe As A Satire

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a hypocrite is: "a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion." To me, this definition describes Tartuffe to a tee, and on purpose. I believe Moliere meant Tartuffe to be a satire on hypocrisy and not a satire on religion. In the Preface Moliere states: "...I have used all the art and skill that I could to distinguish clearly the character of a hypocrite from that of the truly devout man." (p. 13) Tartuffe is a hypocrite because he leads a false appearance of himself, especially towards Orgon and Madame Pernelle. He is marked as a hypocrite from the very beginning from Damis and Dorine. Damis says: "Good God! Do you expect me to submit to the tyranny of that carping hypocrite?" (p.

20)

Tartuffe pretends to be such a godly man; however, it is obvious to the reader that he is most definitely not.

During the play, Orgon's wife Elmire appears and Tartuffe, believing them to be alone, makes a proclamation of love towards her and suggests them to become lovers. Damis, Orgon's son, who witnessed such acts overhears and tells his father; however, Orgon denies such a thing could ever happen. He is so blinded by his outlook on Tartuffe that he believes his own son to be evil and disinherits him, leaving Tartuffe the soul heir and land

holder.

Another example is in the beginning of the play, Madame Pernelle states, on the subject of Tartuffe; "And practises precisely what he preaches.

He's a fine man, and should be listened to. I will not hear him mocked by fools like you." (p. 20) (Speaking to her own grandchildren) Tartuffe has fooled her greatly. Even towards the end, after Madame Pernelle heard from her son, Orgon, about what Tartuffe has done to Elmire in which Orgon witnessed with his own eyes, she still claims him to be a saint. She states: "No, no, a man of such surpassing piety could not do such a thing. You cannot shake me. I don't believe it, and you shall not make me." (p. 61) It is only until after Madame Pernelle learns of him evicting them from their own house that she believes her family. "I'm thunderstruck. I'm utterly aghast." stated Madame Pernelle. (p. 64) Tartuffe shows his true hypocrisy ways when his actions intentionally led him to do such a horrid thing to Orgon and his family and then his words state "...But my first duty is to serve my King. That obligation is so paramount that other claims, beside it, do not count; And for it I would sacrifice my wife, my family, my friend, or my own life." (p. 65) Even Elmire screams "Hypocrite!" after he says

it.

Tartuffe's advantage is the fact that he can analyze peoples weaknesses and then exploit them for his own advantage. He is a malicious and skillful hypocrite who uses every means to bring about his success.

Refrences:

"Hypocrite." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2014. .

Moliere, Jean-Baptiste. Tartuffe. "The Norton Anthology of English Literature": The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 8th ed. Eds. Stephen Greenblatt et al. Vol 2. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.,2006. 12-67. Print.