— Discuss the theme of appearances or masks in Tartuffe? How does the issue of appearances vs. reality connect with the central concerns of the play?
— Discuss the role of Dorine, Mariane’s lady maid. What kind of servant is she? What role does she play in the action of the drama?
— How is the institution of marriage treated in Tartuffe? What are some of the models or ideals of marriage that are raised by Moliere or his characters?
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
— Can you think of a contemporary example of the kind of religious hypocrisy exemplified in Tartuffe?
— Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
Orgon is a respected man by his family and friends, but Orgon isn’t the most clever man as he sort of loses himself to try and become a religious man/extremist. Unfortunately, he becomes attached to Tartuffe’s religious hypocrisy, which further leads him to becoming a hateful man towards the moderates. He is vulnerable to Tartuffe because Tartuffe was seen to him as a religious spectacular being. Orgon wanted to change his societal views into a more extreme religious perspective just like the hypocrite, Tartuffe.
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
It is easy to state the obvious and say that Orgon is someone who lost his mind, is under the spell of Tartuffe and weak because it seems he abandoned all of his family for this spiritual advisor Tartuffe.
I think that while all of the above is true, Orgon is also a man who seems to be tired, tired to rule, to make decisions, to care for anyone, tired from carrying all of this responsibility of being the provider, the man, the one in charge. It seems Orgon was lonely and when Tartuffe found his way to Orgon’s life, he became his friend, his listener, the support Orgon never had, the one who carries the answers to the most difficult tasks, who knows how to act in every single moment. I believe Orgon needed it at that point, and this is why he became so dependent on Tartuffe and his opinions.
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Orgon is a father and supposedly the man of his household. Traditionally these roles would imply that Orgon is to establish a system of obedience in his home and be listened to. When Orgon makes sense of the fact that his reigns upon his family have loosened he begins to feel agitated and fed up. He has had it with the chaotic banter and power struggle occuring under his roof and seeks an outlet for his authority. Orgon is tired of his current life: the ways he executes and engages in his day to day world. Tartuffe is able to manipulate this man who is open to manipulation, open to a refreshing perspective, a new means of life to compensate for all of his angst and worries. Tartuffe is able to dominate Orgon’s headspace as though he is under the influence and completely discard everything he has ever felt or known about his morals and priorities.
Discuss the role of Dorine, Mariane’s lady maid. What kind of servant is she? What role does she play in the action of the drama?
Dorine is an unusual servant in the sense that she is not meek and obedient. Dorine constantly has something to say, and when she sees Tartuffe for the con-artist that he is, she speaks up and tries to make the family see reason. She stops Mariane from marrying Tartuffe, and helps to orchestrate the reuniting of Valere and Mariane.
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Orgon is very easily persuaded by Tartuffe to think a certain way. He believes that Tartuffe is a perfect example of how one should be. This is why he has “tunnel vision” and only cares about pleasing Tartuffe and doing everything in his power to be like him and liked by him. He allows him to do whatever he pleases because he thinks his intentions are purely good. Tartuffe almost controls Orgon like a puppet on strings.
Dorine, the personal servant of Mariane, has a very interesting role in the play Tartuffe. She is not your ordinary servant. She has the tendency to say it as it is with no filter. This is quite odd figuring that servants in the time period that the play took place, relatively have little to no say at all. However, it is important to keep in mind that one of the ideas of the story is the loss of power that Orgon displays throughout the play. In the times of King Louis XIV, the man of the house has the most, if not all, authority over the entire family. However, due to the actions of Orgon because of Tartuffe’s influence, the family loses so much faith in their so-called leader to the point where even the servant has a sphere of influence on others.
Due to the fact that Orgon’s loss of power enables Dorine to express her thoughts, Dorine is able to defend Mariane’s honor, which adds to the dramatic effect of the play. Dorine’s play in the action of drama is spoken through the words of the author, Moliere. Moliere uses Dorine as one of his own characters, to contribute to the themes that he is so deeply trying to express to the audience.