We quickly learn in the beginning of Molier’s Tartuffe, that the character Tartuffe causes quite a lot of strife in Orgon’s family. In the first 2 acts, we learn that Tartuffe is a beggar that Orgon met in their church when Tartuffe went out of his way to be overly kind to the wealthy man. In what he believes to be the act of a good Christian, Orgon, takes the beggar into his own home and provides for him.

The two men have an interesting relationship. I believe that Tartuffe is abusing his religion-driven relationship with Orgon. Orgon believes that Tartuffe is incredibly devout, and that by taking him in, he will learn from Tartuffe and increase his chance of going to heaven. The quote, “You just don’t see him the way I do, but if you did, you’d feel what I feel, too. Every day he came to Church and knelt, and from his groans, I knew just what he felt. Those sounds he made from deep inside his soul, were fed by piety he could not control.” shows this idea better than I could explain. Tartuffe is playing into Orgon’s ideas about him perfectly. The beggar is merely using Orgon’s desire to increase his position in the eyes of his god to live like a nobleman for free. The quote, “She had a fever- And Tartuffe? He’s fine- Rosy-nosed and red-cheeked, drinking your wine. Poor man! And then, Madame because unable to eat a single morsel at the table. Ah, and Tartuffe? He sat within her sight, Not holding back, he ate with great delight, a brace of partridge, and a leg of mutton. In face, he ate so much, he popped a button. Poor man!” supports this idea because it clearly shows that Tartuffe, who was merely a beggar not so long ago, has no humility when indulging in front of Orgon’s sick mother.