Use Of Irony In Tartuffe

Tartuffe is one of my favorite play of theatrical comedies. I consider that Tartuffe best embodies enlightenment ideologies than in Persepolis. The main character in itself has been so popular over the years that the word “Tartuffe” it is used to describe a hypocrite. It touches on subjects regarding religion beliefs and aristocrat powers. The mere fact that the play was banned from performing due to the subliminal message, shows the limitations and danger of those times.

The play exemplifies the irony on how much Orgon idolizes Taruffe and has a great admiration for him for being a religious man. He sees Tartuffe as an example of human being and as he believes he is in need of assistance, then offers his help and opens the doors to his house

and family. His eyes are deceit by Tartuffe manipulative acts. On the other hand, Cleante is the wise man and down to earth character that sees through Tartuffe deception. This demonstrates the state of enlightenment Cleante character has, being a more rational man, a mediator and noble man. The following passage describes Tartuffe’s reaction to Cleante’s confrontation about staying with Orgon’s property and money: ‘I am not dazzled by gold nor its glitter, so lack of wealth has never made me bitter. If I take this present from the father, the source of all this folderol and bother, I am saving, so everyone understands, this wealth from falling into the wrong hands. Waste of wealth and property’s a crime, and that is what would happen at this time. But I would use it as part of my plan: For glory of heaven, and the good of man”. (Moliere, “Tartuffe”, p 179). Tartuffe tries to defend his actions and manipulates the situation by stating that Orgon’s wealth couldn’t be in better hands than his own.
As a final thought, the entire play is beautifully developed and the ending is almost as a fairy tale or a great lesson of life.