After reading Acts I and II of Moliere’s Tartuffe, there are many things that can be perceived of the relationship between Orgon and Tartuffe. Orgon does not appear in the first two acts, but Orgon’s mother, Madame Pernelle, and other members of Orgon’s family say more than enough to draw a clear picture of Orgon’s relationship to Tartuffe.

Tartuffe is a religious hypocrite who has somehow been taken in by Orgon, and is treated by Orgon as a god, whom he worships. Orgon’s mother, Madame Pernelle, is also under Tartuffe’s spell, and lectures Orgon’s family throughout the first two acts on how they need “Monsieur Tartuffe”, and she goes on to say, “Don’t you see? He’s showing you the way to heaven! Yes! So follow where he leads! My son knows he is just what this house needs”. Madame Pernelle, like Orgon also clearly has way too much trust in Tartuffe, and her trust level is dangerous, because Tartuffe is in a position of power where he can do no wrong in the eyes of Orgon or Madame Pernelle. Act II ends with Dorine, Lady’s maid to Mariane (daughter of Orgon) telling Célante (Orgon’s brother in law), how Orgon has lost his mind since Tartuffe’s arrival, and how Orgon is “Intoxicated with Tartuffe”. Dorine goes on to say that Orgon, “Worships this imposter who He calls “brother” and loves more than one”. Dorine gives many reasons on how Orgon adores Tartuffe, and she even says, “He hands him money. They’re not even loans – He’s giving it away. It’s gone too far”, referring to how Orgon gives Tartuffe money. Throughout the first 2 acts there are many reasons why Orgon, and Tartuffe do not have a healthy relationship, but once Dorine mentions that Orgon is giving Tartuffe money, it becomes clear that Orgon and Tartuffe’s relationship is dangerous, and will probably not end well. This relationship seems plausible to me, because it is not uncommon for a person to be manipulated by another person’s charm, and end up being wounded in the process.