— 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.
— 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 a very outspoken character throughout the play. Usually servants play the role of being obedient and keep to themselves but not Dorine. She has strong opinions and is not afraid of letting other knows what she thinks. Dorine is very intelligent to be a servant and even having more brains than the head of the household, Orgon, who has fallen in the trap of Tartuffe’s trickery. Besides trying to get Orgon to open his eyes, Dorine is also a mediator in trying to keep everyone together. When Valere and Mariane had a huge argument and were to the point of completely breaking up, she involved herself and made them make up because she sees the true love they both have for each other. Dorine is somewhat a hero in the play because she helps in uncovering the truth of the fraud of Tartuffle and also encourages the other characters in coming together and not letting Tartuffle break them apart.
I very much agree with your opinion on Dorine being a character with a strong opinion. However, I don’t necessarily believe her to be a mediator in this play as you have stated. Rather than a mediator, I believe Dorine to be a manipulator in a sense. Rather than succumbing to her role as the maid, who in most cases is not supposed to have such an opinion, she is very open about what she thinks of everything going on. Even telling Mariane that she should have stood up for herself when her father told her she is to marry Tartuffe instead. Dorine is constantly in people’s ears trying to persuade them in a sense– she likes to light fires under people so to say.
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?
Tartuffe is the ultimate hypocrite. He hides behind a mask of piety but behind that facade is a wretched human being whose sole purpose is to leech whatever he can off of those he has fooled. Tartuffe has Orgon believing that he is so very virtuous and keeps up this front in order to enjoy the lavish life Orgon can provide for him. At the same time this so called “brother” to Orgon covets his wife Elmire and has slowly taken over Orgon’s household. Though it may seem that Orgon is in control of his decisions it is Tartuffe that is truly pulling his strings. He has Orgon so deeply convinced that he is willing to offer up his daughter in matrimony to him. Tartuffe proves that appearances can be deceiving and that we allow ourselves to be blinded by only what we see on the outside without really doing a thorough investigation. That is one of the central themes in the play. Orgon is blinded by what he perceives as good intentioned man when in reality this man wants to lay claim to all that is Orgon’s, including wealth, daughter and wife.
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
The character, Orgon, in Tartuffe, is a wealthy man that’s married to Elmire. He is the main character in the play that is making his daughter, Mariana, who loves another person, Valere, marry Tartuffe. Oregon was a non-regions believer that wanted to get into heaven in the “after-life”. He thought his time was coming to be, and was thinking his way into heaven. Tartuffe, a “religiously self appealing servant” was able to help Orgon in his quest into his believing way. Though things weren’t all so good when we read about Tartuffe in scene 3. Tartuffe, who we heard so much about in scene 1 and 2, became nothing but a no good fraud, who mis lead organ into thinking Tartuffe can satisfy his needs. Oregon wealth, wife and daughter was victims in this play. Tartuffe played all 3 and still was seen as the great person that he was not. Later in the play, Orgon discovered what he was not and sent his incriminated self to jail, as the two lovers go married.
Dorine, Mariane’s lady maid, is one of the most forward and daring characters. She is intelligent and quick, and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. By being Mariane’s helper, it seems that Dorine has developed a genuine friendship with Mariane. She is bent on preventing Marianne’s marriage to the hypocritical Tartuffe, and stands up for Mariane often.
Her openness and directness make Dorine a likable character. She expresses the exasperation often felt by the audience, tastefully criticizing when necessary. However, Dorine maintains a level of power and control uncharacteristic to her position, which I think is a testament to the lack of structure in Orgon’s family. The lack of rigid-structure, common in most 16th century wealthy families, is illustrated in act one, scene one, when Madame Pernelle criticizes each character for being frivolous and scandalous among their class.
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 Mariane’s maid and her own person in my own opinion. She doesn’t confined herself to be a servant. In my opinion , Dorine is more of a mother towards Mariane. She stands up to the father and expresses how she feels about this arranged marriage and tries to convince him not to do it. She is definitely a sassy , confident servant.
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 a very outspoken character who is looking out for Mariane’s best interest. Dorine knows that Mariane does not want to marry Tartuffe and marry Valere. In a way, she is trying to save Orgon’s family from Tartuffe because Tartuffe’s motive is to have his hands on Orgon’s wealth. Therefore, she is trying to keep the family from crumbling and making a terrible mistake.
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 not a typical maid who listens and follow orders. Instead, she is not afraid to voice her opinions and talk back to her masters, especially to Oregon in Act 2 where she persistently tried to stop Oregon from marrying off his daughter to Tartuffe. Her role in the play was to look out for Oregon’s family. She helped Mariane and Valere reconcile after their argument, helped come up with a plan to stop the wedding, and tried to convince Oregon about the kind of man Tartuffe really is.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Orgon is a person who lacked confidence and knowledge of recognizing a true man. He was fooled by Tartuffe’s act and believed him over his family. He was also very inconsiderate cause he wanted his young daughter to marry an old guy like Tartuffe when he knew about her love for another person. In addition, he stated he wouldn’t feel sorry even if his whole family died and he kicked his own son out of the house by trusting a so called friend. In spite of being the master of the house, he failed to maintain his assets properly and transferred all assets to Turtuffe. All of these action proves that Orgon was inconsiderate and irresponsible to his family. On the other hand, Oregon had fear for God. Tartuffe is a very smart and evil person so he recognized Orgon’s personality and abused it. As Tartuffe showed Orgon that he can be the way to heaven, Orgon fell into his trap.
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 a very powerful Character in Tartuffe. She was Marianne’s maid, and she care for her so much. She was very outspoken person, and strongly supports Mariane’s. When Mariane’s father Orgon told her to married Tartuffe she was speechless but Dorine stand out for her. Dorine knows Marine love Valere and she will never happy with Tartuffe. Dorian was a well-wisher for Mariane, and she knows Tartuffe want to marry Mariane for her father wealth. In this play Dorine role is a great well-wisher and good friend. Dorine role this in this play is prevent Marianne’s from true face Tartuffe.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Orgon is a character that is easily manipulated. Orgon is played multiple times by Tartuffe from the beginning of the play all the way to the end. Why is he so vulnerable? It is because he lacks the confidence in himself to make his own decisions and live with them so he lets the guilt get to him. He sees Tartuffe as an opportunity to right some of the wrongs he may have made in life and get close with god once again. With this lack of confidence Tartuffe was able to get Orgon to do pretty much anything he wanted, until he was finally exposed as the fraud he really was.
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?
In the play, Dorine speaks out her thoughts, although she is a maid. In the beginning of the play, the things that she says to Orgon’s mother sound quite aggressive as a maid but wise and brave . However, her voice is very wise and clear throughout the play. She is very loyal to the family that she serves. She tries to “convince” Orgon about Mariane’s marriage and keeps telling Orgon about Tartuffe’s hypocrisy, although he does not listen to her. Also, when Damis was disinherited and kicked out of home, she tries to change Orgon’s mind about his decision.
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?
Orgon wants his daughter to get marriage with Tartuffe, which means he wants Tartuffe be in-law of son and get into his family. That could raise a good external impression by neighborhood. In this story, there are other models of marriage, such as Orgon and Elmire, Valene and Mariane. For both of relationships shows strong mutual trust between husband and wife. For example, Orgon ultimately trusted her when she tricked Tartuffe. If he was actually belonging with Tartuffe, he could still go with Tartuffe, but with an evidence and trusting on his wife, he finally realized his ridiculous behaves.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
While the play doesn’t specifically delve into the reasons behind Orgon’s susceptibility to Tartuffe’s deception, the play does seem to provide clues. Orgon mentions a few times, including through a recollection of his first meeting with Tartuffe, that he believes Tartuffe is his answer to salvation or his guide to heaven. His desire to find his way to God after death makes him highly vulnerable to all that Tartuffe asks of him. Under the shadow of this need, Orgon also believes that Tartuffe is intentionally poor for he must give up all pleasure to reach heaven.
Can you think of a contemporary example of the kind of religious hypocrisy exemplified in Tartuffe?
This is actually a large part of religious dedication today. Many individuals across religions are assumed pious and pure if they attend church or temple often. For instance, Catholics who attend church every Sunday are held with the highest regard. However, outside of church these individuals may not adhere to the rules set forth within their religion, such as remaining virgin until marriage or not committing any other sins. Society still chooses to ignore this proof of their impiety because in they already have a preconceived notion as to who an individual is spiritually.
Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
There is an interesting contrast between the role of women within this play. They exhibit both modern elements as well as old-fashioned. For instance, Dorine plays an outspoken maid which is both ‘unfitting’ for her role as the maid and as a woman in a home with a patriarch. She exhibits a modern woman. On the other hand, the play’s old-fashioned element regarding the place of women is exhibited by Orgon’s power over whom Mariane will marry.
— Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Orgon is someone who’s gullible, Specially when it comes to Tartuffe. Why do I say this, well when he first met Tartuffe it was in church he was glorifying god and kissing the floor. He admired this because he thought this made Tartuffe an honest man. A man who wouldn’t lie because he honored the church so much, he admired such dedication. As we all know it turn out to be the total opposite and Tartuffe was just a manipulative person, using him to his advantage.
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?
The mask plays a role of cover to Tartuffe’s true identity. He is seen as this spiritual person around others but behind the scenes he is just a man who is trying to get achieve his goals by manipulating the person everyone else thinks he is. Its simply a cover up. Appearance could trick people very easily if not payed attention to, He might seem like this so called good guy, but if you pay close attention to his actions you could see that hes a bluff and they’ve been falling for his games. For example Orgon sees him only doing religious acts such as praying and hearing about his so called feast, but doesn’t believe his family simply because Tartuffe has succeed in setting up his false appearance.