Read Acts I and II of Moliere’s Tartuffe. Write a 250-350 word analysis of the relationship between Orgon and Tartuffe. Include two examples from the text that illustrate your claims. Remember that your job here is not simply to describe what’s going on between the two characters, but to try to understand their underlying motivations. To what extent does this relationship seem plausible to you? Can you connect it to anything in contemporary life or in your own experience?
Remember that in order to receive full credit your response must be posted to the blog by 5pm on Monday!
In Moliere’s Tartuffe,Tartuffe is a man that Orgon, the head of the household, brought home. Orgon felt that Tartuffe was an incredibly impressive man. Because of Tartuffe’s act of modesty, Orgon believed that Tartuffe is a magnanimous man of religion and holiness. The relationship between Orgon and Tartuffe did appear to be an unrequited love to me, however, it could be based on the amount of influence Tartuffe had on Orgon with his lies of prophecies and miracles. As Orgon said to Cleante, “To give him gifts, in modesty, he cried, ‘That is too much,’ he’d say, ‘A half would do.’ Then gave a portion back, with much ado. ‘I am not worthy. I do not deserve your gifts or pity, I am here to serve the will of heaven, that and nothing more’” (Moliere, 152). Orgon firmly believes that bringing Tartuffe into his home is beneficial to his family because he believes that Tartuffe brings happiness and enlightenment.
Orgon’s infatuation with Tartuffe is extremely absurd because I feel that the infatuation turned into an unhealthy obsession. When Orgon returned home, Dorine, the maid, informed him that his wife was ill while he was away. Not only did he show no interest in his wife’s welfare, but also only in how Tartuffe felt and if he enjoyed his stay. Orgon is so obsessed with Tartuffe that he wanted an arranged marriage between his daughter, Mariane, and Tartuffe, even though he had already promised her a marriage between her and her lover, Valere. Orgon said to Mariane, “Wise words, Daughter. So this is what you say: ‘He is a perfect man in every way; in body and soul, I find him divine.’ And then you say, ‘Please Father, make him mine’” (Moliere, 156). What Orgon is telling Mariane to say is what he himself thinks of Tartuffe; divine and perfect. In this day and age, it is not common to encounter a situation as such where a man can be so affected by another, and feel so deeply for another, without being a homosexual.
The play Tartuffe begins with bickering predominantly among Madame Pernelle, Damis and Dorine on Tartuffe’s deceitful behavior. Interestingly, we are exposed to Tartuffe’s nature prior to actually meeting him. This formulates the assumption that we are swerved to dislike Tartuffe instantly. With the introduction of Orgon, readers can immediately ascertain that the approval he holds for Tartuffe is borderline obsession. Orgon seems to think of Tartuffe as a kind of sublime figure, which is incomprehensible because no background information is given about the two’s acquaintance. One underlying reason is Orgon’s ignorance. He is convinced that Tartuffe, who has expressed his piety continuously through his speech, is a holy man. In fact, Orgon’s fixation with Tartuffe’s holiness is prominent when he defends Tartuffe from Cléante’s backlash and says that he values Tartuffe more than his own family: “Mother, father, wife, daughter, son – they could die right now, I’d feel no pain” (152). Tartuffe takes advantage of that trust as Orgon provides him with food, money, gifts, the opportunity to marry his own daughter and even the deed to the house. Tartuffe also takes the chance to get closer to Orgon’s wife, Elmire.
Another factor that delayed Orgon from seeing Tartuffe as a conman is denial. From his conversations with his family, it may be inferred that he is an obstinate man who is too prideful to be swayed by others. He passes off any doubts and insists that his family is “accusing his dear friend of something rank” (181). He does not change his mind until he sees Tartuffe with his wife. Personally, the relationship between Tartuffe and Orgon seems to be highly unlikely. Since we do not know how the two characters met or interacted previously, it is difficult to understand how an individual can be completely and unconditionally trusting of someone. In a contemporary setting, it would be similar to placing your faith in an acquaintance whom you have met recently or have heard about – such as giving your life savings to a shady organization that guarantees ‘they pay you back in double’ with robotic online reviews that flaunt its credibility.
-RESUBMISSION-
The play Tartuffe begins with bickering predominantly among Madame Pernelle, Damis and Dorine on Tartuffe’s deceitful behavior. Interestingly, we are exposed to Tartuffe’s nature prior to actually meeting him. This formulates the assumption that we are swerved to dislike Tartuffe instantly. With the introduction of Orgon, readers can immediately ascertain that the approval he holds for Tartuffe is borderline obsession. Orgon seems to think of Tartuffe as a kind of sublime figure, which is incomprehensible because no background information is given about the two’s acquaintance. One underlying reason is Orgon’s ignorance. He is convinced that Tartuffe, who has expressed his piety continuously through his speech, is a holy man. In fact, Orgon’s fixation with Tartuffe’s holiness is prominent when he defends Tartuffe from Cléante’s backlash and says that he values Tartuffe more than his own family: “Mother, father, wife, daughter, son – they could die right now, I’d feel no pain” (Act 1.5, 152). Tartuffe takes advantage of that trust as Orgon provides him with food, money, gifts and the opportunity to marry his own daughter.
Another factor that delayed Orgon from seeing Tartuffe as a conman is denial. From his conversations with his family, it may be inferred that he is an obstinate man who is too prideful to be swayed by others. He passes off any doubts and refuses to listen to Dorine’s accusations – “You make me irate! I am livid! Why won’t you be quiet!” (Act 2.2, 160). Personally, the relationship between Tartuffe and Orgon seems to be highly unlikely. Since we do not know how the two characters met or interacted previously, it is difficult to understand how an individual can be completely and unconditionally trusting of someone. In a contemporary setting, it would be similar to placing your faith in an acquaintance whom you have met recently or have heard about – such as giving your life savings to a shady organization that guarantees ‘they pay you back in double’ with robotic online reviews that flaunt its credibility.
Jacqueline –
When you write about literary texts, try using the present tense throughout. You make good observations here about Tartuffe, particularly in your assessment of Orgon’s feelings for Tartuffe. Explain why you describe this as “unrequited love.” You include the quotation about Tartuffe refusing to accept gifts, but don’t really explain why the quote is important. What does it tell us about his character?
Nice work.
JS
Yanfen,
You are right to point out that we learn quite a bit about Tartuffe long before he appears onstage in Moliere’s play. Why do you think Moliere set it up that way? What does it accomplish? I think the comparison you make between Tartuffe and a contemporary scam artist works. How might that comparison help us to understand why Orgon is so quick to trust Tartuffe?
Nice job!
JS