Tartuffe by Moliere - Summary and Analysis

[@bmtalbott]

Thank you my friend. You explained this beautifully.

[@Leevark]

Thank you🖤

[@safaa765]

I highly value your expertise and would appreciate your insights on the duality of Tartuffe's character in Molière's play. How did Molière skillfully create a character perceived as pious by some and deceitful by others? Your perspective would greatly enrich my understanding. Thank you for your time and expertise.

[@Leevark]

Hello, the perception of Tartuffe is central in the play. First, the playwright is not neutral. He clearly considers Tartuffe an impostor. In old French, the word "tartuffe" is a noun that means an impostor or a charlatan. Let's look at who considers Tartuffe a pious righteous man. Only Orgon and his mother Pernelle do. The rest of the characters in the play don't. Orgon and his mother represent the old generation. They're excessively religious. We see how Orgon's mother is critical of her grandchildren. This symbolises how the old generation, or conservatives, deplore how the young generation, or liberals, are drifting away from the way of God. Now, this is the part that answers your question. It is through satire and double entendre that Moliere differentiates between the two perceptions of Tartuffe. There is one particular scene that illustrates Moliere's construction of the character of Tartuffe. It's when he tries to seduce Orgon's wife, Elmire. Tartuffe uses religious discourse against religion itself. There is little more ungodly than trying to woo a married woman. Moliere entices the spectators of his play to laugh at the type of people who would believe Tartuffe's religious discourse used in such an unreligious endeavour. This shows that Tartuffe is a pious man only in the eyes of the gullible. The enlightened, however, are immune to his hypocrisy.

[@safaa765]

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your excellent explanation and for the precious time you invest in your videos. Keep shining your light and spreading knowledge! With love and admiration,❤

[@Leevark]

@@safaa765 My pleasure🖤 Thank you for your kind words.

[@zanegart4399]

Thank you!

[@lindenslantern1494]

Great video!

[@dondraper4806]

that is the weirdest accent I've ever heard... and I've heard a bajan accent