Tartuffe summary

Hypocrisy and Deceit in the House of Orgon

In Molière's Tartuffe, Orgon, a well-to-do man, falls prey to the duplicity and hypocrisy of a seemingly pious beggar named Tartuffe. The drama begins with Orgon's family expressing their concern over Orgon's undue affection for Tartuffe. Despite Orgon's mother, Madame Pernelle, being the only one supportive of Tartuffe, everyone else, including Orgon's wife Elmire and his cunning maid Dorine, witness Tartuffe's true, cunning nature.

Blinded by Tartuffe's feigned piety, Orgon goes to the extent of offering his daughter Mariane's hand in marriage to Tartuffe, dismissing her love for Valere. An air of tension spreads across the household as Dorine, Elmire, and Mariane devise a plan to uncover Tartuffe's true identity.

The Feigned Piety of Tartuffe

As Tartuffe progresses, Molière gradually unveils the hypocrite's true character. Elmire, Orgon's wife, conducts a meet-cute to expose Tartuffe's lust and duplicity to her husband, who hides under a table witnessing Tartuffe's advances towards Elmire. However, Tartuffe, unaware of Orgon's presence, tries to seduce Elmire, revealing his lustful intentions.

Orgon finally realizes the deceit, throwing Tartuffe out of the house. In a significant twist, Tartuffe retaliates by revealing a deed of gift given to him by Orgon, handing Tartuffe all Rights to Orgon's property. Tartuffe poses a threat, warning Orgon to vacate the house.

The Betrayal and Redemption

The third act of Tartuffe sees Orgon's life spiraling out of control. As Orgon deals with the loss of his property, Tartuffe files another lawsuit accusing Orgon of treachery. The situation worsens when Orgon's family learns of a secret strongbox handed to Tartuffe, containing a letter that might lead Orgon to prison.

As despair overtakes the house of Orgon, an unexpected turn of events saves the day. Through Louis XIV's intervention, Tartuffe is taken into custody, labeling him a notorious criminal well-known to the authorities. As a gesture of his goodwill and belief in Orgon’s innocence, the king renders the deed null and void, restoring Orgon's possession of his property.

Molière's Satirical Stance

In conclusion, Tartuffe by Molière can be seen as a sharply pointed satire, attacking hypocrisy and false piety in society. Through the character of Tartuffe, Molière demonstrates the danger of blind faith and manipulative individuals who exploit such faith for their gains. Orgon's character reflects the pitfalls of not heeding the advice of those who genuinely care for us.

Furthermore, the play points out the moral weakness that comes with orthodoxy and the power dynamics within family structures. Justice, as Molière suggests, does not always come from recognized authority, but rather, often from unsung heroes like Dorine or even from an unexpected source, like the king's officer. Thus, Tartuffe is a timeless piece offering a critical look at human behavior and societal norms.