Tartuffe: Dear God, What Affectation! How Fake Dorine?

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Tartuffe is a classic comedy by Molière that satirizes religious hypocrisy and gullibility. This assignment requires analyzing character descriptions, thematic elements, and the roles of key figures within the play. The questions probe into how characters perceive Tartuffe, how he perceives himself, and the overall moral and social messages conveyed. It also examines character functions and relationships, especially focusing on Orgon's vulnerability and the play's resolution. The goal is to interpret textual evidence to understand character dynamics, themes, and the playwright's underlying message.

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The play Tartuffe by Molière presents a sharp critique of religious hypocrisy through the characterization and interactions of its characters. Central to the narrative is Tartuffe himself, a character whose duplicitous nature is openly recognized and critiqued by other characters within the play.

Many characters, notably Dorine and Cleante, describe Tartuffe as a hypocrite and a faker. Dorine, the sharp-tongued maid, directly calls Tartuffe "a fake" and criticizes his affectation, emphasizing her suspicion and disdain for his pretensions. She exclaims, "Dear God, what affectation! What a fake!" highlighting her perception of Tartuffe's insincerity and dishonesty. This description underscores her view that Tartuffe is a man who pretends piety and virtue for selfish or manipulative purposes, which aligns with the play’s broader critique of religious pretenses masking greed and hypocrisy.

Tartuffe, on his part, portrays himself as a devout and humble servant of God. His self-description is cloaked in outward piety, claiming moral superiority and righteous righteousness. He frequently presents himself as deeply religious and virtuous to garner trust and manipulate others into submission. His self-perception is that of a true servant of divine will, although his actions starkly contradict this self-image. His duplicity is exemplified when he deceives Orgon by pretending to be a moral and religious man while secretly pursuing his own interests.

The raisonneur, or the voice of the playwright that offers moral guidance, is commonly considered to be Cleante. Cleante's philosophical and rational perspective serves as the moral compass within the play, advocating for reason, moderation, and justice. His criticisms of Tartuffe’s hypocrisy and his calls for rational discernment position him as the voice that embodies the playwright's moral stance against deception and fanaticism.

The overall theme of Tartuffe revolves around the dangers of hypocrisy and deception, especially disguised as religious virtue. The play warns against blindly trusting appearances and highlights the importance of reason and skepticism in discerning truth from falsehood. It explores societal and individual susceptibility to manipulation when moral and spiritual values are compromised by pretenders.

Ultimately, the character who “saves the day” is Cléante, who uncovers Tartuffe’s deceit and devises a plan to expose him. Through cleverness and reasoning, Cléante persuades Orgon to see Tartuffe's true nature, leading to Tartuffe’s downfall. His calm, rational approach contrasts with the gullibility of Orgon and the fanaticism of Tartuffe, ultimately restoring moral order and justice.

Dorine and Cléante serve pivotal roles as the voice of reason, wit, and moral judgment. Dorine, with her sharp tongue and keen perception, criticizes societal and family folly and fights for clarity and justice. Cleante, as the rationalist and voice of moral moderation, advocates for reasoned judgment and serves as the mediator and moral philosopher within the play. Together, they challenge the folly of other characters and uphold the play’s moral framework.

Regarding Orgon, other characters perceive him as foolish and overly trusting of Tartuffe. They describe him as naïve, credulous, and blind to Tartuffe’s true nature. Orgon’s blind devotion to Tartuffe in spite of mounting evidence of his hypocrisy exposes his vulnerability. His obsession blinds him to the obvious signs of Tartuffe’s duplicity, making him easily manipulated. Orgon’s vulnerability stems from his emotional blindness, trust in appearances over reason, and his desire to uphold his misguided faith in Tartuffe's sincerity.

The root of Orgon’s vulnerability lies in his authoritarian attitude and emotional attachment to Tartuffe, whom he sees as a spiritual guide. His obsession is reinforced by his wish to be seen as pious and virtuous, which blinds him to the danger Tartuffe represents. This susceptibility is exploited by Tartuffe’s manipulations, leading to dire consequences for Orgon and his family. Ultimately, Orgon’s downfall demonstrates the peril of blind faith and the importance of reasoned judgment.

In conclusion, Tartuffe remains a timeless satire that explores how deception infiltrates society when moral discernment is absent. Characters like Dorine, Cleante, and the subtle revelations about Orgon's vulnerability illustrate the importance of skepticism, rationality, and moral integrity. The play’s enduring relevance underscores its critique of religious hypocrisy and the social dangers of gullibility, encouraging audiences to question appearances and seek genuine virtue.

References

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