— 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?
Although Dorine is treated as a servant, her role is much larger than that. She seems to be the only rational person in that household, and is almost like a mother figure to the other characters. She is trying really hard to convince everyone that Tartuffe is a fraud. Orgon seems to be brainwashed by Tartuffe, and is forcing his daughter, Mariane, to marry Tartuffe when she already had plans to marry Valere. Since Dorine cannot convince Orgon, she plans to help Mariane runaway with Valere. Also, Dorine is not a very obedient servant. She speaks out of turn, and involves herself in the family’s issues. I think she may not even consider herself a servant, but views herself as the only responsible person who can save this family.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
I can see that Orgon is oblivious, gullible and yet loyal, as he strongly believes that Tartuffe is a human who is modest, morally correct in a religious term and can do no wrong. Therefore he does not believe any negative notions he hears from his family about Tartuffe. Orgon believes everything that Tartuffe says and consults situations with him for his opinions before taking any actions or choices. Orgon is vulnerable perhaps due to his desire to change his own moral compass, therefore he constantly goes to Tartuffe and seems to treasure him more than his own wife. Orgon is a follower or in this instance a “disciple” of Tartuffe, who isn’t capable of making right decisions and needs guidance.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
In the story Tartuffe, the author portrays the character Orgon as a naive, over-trusting and oblivious individual who seeks the right intentions. As seen through act one and two, everyone except Madame and Orgon seems to see right through Tartuffe and his true side. Despite accepting Tartuffe as a saint in the household, Orgon also appears as a kind and modest individual who just desires to enter heaven. He becomes overly attached to Tartuffe because he believes that Tartuffe is a given opportunity to enter heaven. The pattern in the story is seen when Orgon provides more sympathy for Tartuffe than his own family. He encourages his tunnel vision on Tartuffe as he engages to marry Mariane to him, even though she has a lover of her own. Another scenario this idea was expressed was when he engaged more sympathy for Tartuffe over his sick wife. Even though, everyone else dislikes Tartuffe, Orgon needs the guidance to see the truth rather than what’s been told.
Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
One aspect that seems very modern to me is going against religion. Given the fact that France was going through Divine Absolutism, I was surprised that Moliere even dared to present such idea in front of the King. Nowadays, it’s common for there to be nonbelievers of God, but I just thought that if anyone dared to go against religion back then, then they’d probably be decapitated.
Describe the character of Orgon. Why do you think he’s so vulnerable to Tartuffe?
Throughout the play, Orgon is blind to who Tartuffe actually is. Even though others saw through his lies, Orgon could not and this back fired. Orgon believed that by taking Tartuffe under his wing and doing what he says he would get a free pass into heaven. He is easily manipulated and even gains a type of passion for Tartuffe. At one point he seems to care more for Tartuffe then his own wife which is very strange. Orgon refused to believe that Tartuffe came onto his wife without seeing it with his own eyes and this shows the trust and investment he had in him.
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 theme of appearances shows up in two distinctive ways. In one setting, Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle are concerned about the appearance of the family as a respectable and religious household. Tartuffe takes advantage of Orgon by putting on the appearance of a morally righteous and modest man. In reality, he is lustful, gluttonous and malicious in his intentions.
In 17th century France, Orgon wants his household free of sin in order to reach heaven. He lets Tartuffe live in his home under the pretense that he will rid them of sin by establishing law and order. Everyone in the family except for Orgon and Pernelle believe that Tartuffe is a sinful and deceptive man. Orgon refuses to believe them until his wife Elmire exposes Tartuffe by making him reveal the truth. Once he finds out the truth, Orgon is outraged and kicks Tartuffe out of his house. At the expense of his family, he decided to believe in Tartuffe’s “appearance” as a holy man. In the end, it causes problems for him that are only rectified at the very last minute.
The audience can gather that Orgon learned an important lesson about appearances and hypocrisy. Madame Pernelle is the last person to defend Tartuffe, even after Orgon tells her about the deception. She says, “Appearances deceive. What we think we see, we then believe.” She doesn’t believe in Tartuffe’s treachery until the government shows up and exposes him. His appearance and performance controlled her thoughts similar to Orgon, and made her an enemy towards the family until the very last minute. It shows that appearances or masks are very powerful and can shape reality in negative ways.
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?
The institution of marriage is treated with high regard. Based on Madame Pernelle, Orgon’s mother, she believes that a woman should be submissive to her husband and that the husband’s wife should respect her Mother-in-law. She believes that certain things shouldn’t transpire and that it is the woman’s duty to attend to her husband. In essence she holds a high regard for marriage and it’s foundation.
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 though a servant is seen more than just that, she comes off as a protector and voice for Mariane as she seeks for what it right. Dorine is very well spoken and has no shame on speaking out especially on her thoughts of Tartuffe. She very much argues with Orgon constantly since he is so stubborn and oblivious on how to care for his own family for the better. You take notice of her significance in the conflict between Mariane and Valere over what was said and heard of her proposed marriage. Dorine inserts herself as a moderator as she rationalizes the situation from the utter nonsense, she basically stops them from making a huge mistake of ending there relationship. She may actually be the most aware compared to all other characters, she can be very sassy and open especially towards the Madam, Orgon, and Tartuffe. Dorine is more than just a servant but can be viewed as a member of the family as all the drama unfolds, without Dorine I feel Mariane would be quite lost and is fortunate to have her as a servant.
On Masks and Personas
It’s interesting to frame the question in terms of masks. To present the characters as “stock characters” as we did in the first lecture on the subject, already implies that they are singularly motivated and have a limited sphere of emotions. In an inverse to Greek tragedy, the characters are emotionally thin but physically emotive. However, because deceit is so critical to the politics of the household, multiple characters adopt plural personas. Further, rather than transitioning between them, they simply change upon whim. As Elmire attempts to seduce Tartuffe as proof of his immorality to her concealed husband, she becomes first the obstinate and plotting queen of the home, then changing to the amorous seducer, to the annoyed wife, and then the satisfied accuser. Each mode of Elmire appears independently of the other, revealed in shifts as her husband appears or disappears behind the table, rather like a series of masks than a fluid character. Tartuffe’s persona is constructed upon this disingenuous personality, that without fail transitions from the ultra pious moralist to the lecherous glutton, depending on who’s watching. This inconsistency makes it difficult to ascertain which persona is the true nature of the characters. Although their actions do demonstrate who they are within specific situations, to what extent is their “normal role” simply another bit part. This is of course telling with Dorrine, who despite being significantly more competent than her husband, is able to play no role within the legal complications at the end of the play. Further, we see a strange third Tartuffe emerge at the end, not the glutton or the priest but the vengeful demon. Due to the unsatisfying and abrupt intervention of the Roi Soleil, we never have a true clash on even terms between the essential personalities of the characters and thus they’re never forced to reveal to us their realities at all.
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?
As we discussed in class, Dorine is a stock character. She is a sassy, smart, outspoken and is not afraid to state her opinions to the masters. As a non member of the immediate family she brings logic and reason to otherwise emotional situations. An example is the exchange between Mariane and Valere, where she helps avoid what would have been a tragedy.
She helps show characters their own faults, though they don’t always acknowledge them. Like is the case when we first are introduced to Orgon and their exchange. She tells Orgon not to worry and she’ll pass on his concern for Elmire.
Lastly, she also helps with the theme of lying. She tells Mariane to feign illness to avoid marrying Tartuffe. In this way we see the difference of lying for a noble cause, as supposed to lying for deceit and personal gain like Tartuffe does.
Earvina.e
Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
One aspect of the play that seems very modern to me is the whole idea of blackmailing. Towards the end of the play, Tartuffe manages to blackmail Orgon because of a falling out they had.In addition, Tartuffe not only wanted revenge but he wanted wealth as well. Blackmail is still very prominent in the 21st century. Blackmail over the years has been used on different occasions with different people, for example, political figures, presidents, kings, commoners etc. One aspect of the play that seems very dated or old fashioned is the whole concept of arranged marriage. Throughout the whole play until the ending Orgon wanted to arrange a marriage between Tartuffe and his daughter Mariane. Arrange marriage was a very common practice in a lot of different cultures and hierarchy but due to changing of time, the practice of arranged marriage soon grew outdated. Although it is still present in some cultures nevertheless it is still uncommon to most.
Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
One aspect of the play that seems very modern to me is the way Dorine has a saying in all of this situation. Back in the day, women’s rights were not a thing, even less as a servant. So the fact that Moliere brought up this type of character is very unusual for his time period. He gave this character power to speak up, a fearless woman that is capable and allowed to express herself so freely is definitely a modern aspect to me.
On the other hand, a very old-fashioned aspect to me is the arranged marriage. To me, and based on the way I was raised culturally back in my home country and even here in the United States marriage should be based on both partners decision, on both wanting to marry and live together. And even though this might still happen in other cultures, I do believe it is a very dated aspect.
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 fully smart and brave servants. My first impression of Dorine is that she speaks all the time and sometimes she even mocks at her master, Orgon. However, when I keep reading, I find out that she is much more than a chatty servant. She realizes that Tartuffe is a liar at the very first place. What’s more, It is Dorine that stops the stupid argument between Mariane and Valere, and make them realize that they love each other so deeply. Also, she comes up the idea how to postpone the wedding between Mariane and Tartuffe.
— Describe one aspect of the play that seems very modern to you and one that seems very dated or old-fashioned.
One aspect of the play that seems very modern to me is the language. When I say language I do not mean exactly the way the text is written but more what the text is saying. There was one line that stood out to me in particular that stood out to me as modern comedy. Mariane says “I think” and Madame Pernelle says “oh don’t do that my dear grandchild you’ll hurt your brain”. I thought this was funny and almost out of place because of how modern the joke seemed. One thing that seemed dated or very old-fashioned in the play was the appearance of hedonism or in other words the belief that pleasure itself is a good. I feel like thats not really seen in recent times when people buy something they want a tangible good in return.