Oh Moliere. You had me at hypocrite.
Moliere was heavily influenced by thw italian style of "comedia del arte", which was the father of the format used today for TV sitcoms (romantic leads, lecherous old man, gullible man, foolish scholar, wisecracking househelp, stock plots, etc). Tartuffe is a great example of that particular style.
It's the story of a man named Tartuffe, who with help from Orgon goes from beggar to well to do man. Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle develop a weird obsession with Tartuffe, who claims to be all godly and able to speak with divine authority, and they tend to consult him for advice before going about their business. And Tartuffe really lays on the good Christian thing really thick. Like this line to Orgon's wife Elmire: "May Heaven, with its great kindness, forever give you health, both of soul and body; and bless your days as much as the humblest of its votaries desires!"
Really Tartuffe?
The rest of Orgon's family: his wife Elmire, his son Damis, his daughter Mariane, and his brother-in-law Cleante find Tartuffe's behavior pretty over the top. Even Dorine the housemaid sees right through him and tries to tell Madame Pernelle: "He passes for a saint in your imagination. Believe me, all he does is nothing but hypocrisy."
The deluded insanity continues as Orgon tells everyone that Mariane is now going to marry Tartuffe, even though she is already engaged to Valere. Mariane becomes distraught at the news and the rest of the family realize how deeply rooted this houseguest has become.
It is then discovered that Tartuffe has the hots for Orgon's wife Elmire, a big no-no considering Tartuffe is a self proclaimed pious man and a guest of the house. The family hopes that Orgon will throw him out of the house. Tartuffe is overheard trying to seduce Elmire, but Damis, who was eavesdropping jumps out and confronts Tartuffe. When Orgon enters the room Damis tells him what Tartuffe was doing, and Tartuffe gets Oron to believe that Damis is lying and Orgon throws Damis out of the house.
I'll leave the story at this point and you can read on to find out what happens next. I liked the play and thought it was very well written. It's a short play and the dialogue moves very fluidly so when you reach the end you feel pretty satisfied. I loved the character of Dorine, she was witty and always had something to say, much to the annoyance of Orgon. I definitely recommend it to anyone, regardless if you follow this blog or not. ;)
Happy Reading!
-Alexandra
