“They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. – Ezekiel 33:31
While we knew that Tartuffe is a religious hypocrite it is not until act 3 in which we begin to see his devious ways. However it is within these last 2 acts in which we fully see his true nature emerge. Tartuffe, who takes on the role of a man who is devoted and loyal to God and the church yet his real self is one who would use religion to exploit someone for his own needs.

Elmire has come up with a plan to show Orgon that Tartuffe is nothing but a lie by seducing him and showing his true nature. While Tartuffe does fall for Elmire’s trap, he is suspicious in her sudden change of heart, and demand that she prove her love by having sex in the very room they are in.

In a differently translated yet similar version of the play, Elmire says, “But how can I consent to what you wish, without offending Heaven you talk so much of?” Tartuffe responds with, “If Heaven is all that stands now in my way, I’ll easily remove that little hindrance; your heart need not hold back for such a trifle” and Elimore responding back “But they affright us so with Heaven’s commands!”

Elmire here speaks of the 6th commandment which states “Thou shalt not commit adultery” which is something all religious people should know by heart since the 10 commandments are considered God’s law in which all should follow.

Tartuffe continues his advances toward Elmire saying, “There’ll be no sins for which we must atone, cause evil exist only when it’s known. Adam and Eve were public in their fall. To sin in private is not to sin at all” However is is common knowledge that God is all seeing, as it states in the bible “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” These religious facts that Tartuffe has wrong, are so basic and simple, they are one the earliest things that one would learn in church, shows that he is a religious hypocrite. These mistakes eventually leads to Tartuffe’s downfall with Orgon finally seeing Tartuffe for who he really is.