Tartuffe

Tartuffe, also known as The Imposter or The Hypocrite, is a Neoclassical comedy written by French playwright, actor, writer, and director Molière, born as Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. It was first produced in 1664 in France. While King Louis XIV and the public enjoyed the play, religious groups, including the Catholic Church and members of the upper class, condemned it for its display of a seemingly religious character who preys on those around on him for his personal gain. The page numbers throughout this study guide refer to the translation by Curtis Hidden Page, produced as an e-book by Dagny and John Vickers in 2008.

Plot Summary

The play opens outside the Parisian home of protagonist Orgon. Present in this scene are his mother Madame Pernelle, his adult children Mariane and Damis, their stepmother Elmire, Elmire’s brother Cleante, and the maid Dorine. Orgon is away serving the king. At the top of the play, Madame Pernelle declares she is leaving the chaotic house, admonishing the members of the family one by one. Talk of Tartuffe, a religious man of alleged poverty whom Orgon has befriended and moved into their house, elicits positive reactions from Madame Pernelle and unpleasant emotions from the rest of the family. Tartuffe’s presence in the home includes many rules and showy displays of piousness, which the family members feel are insincere. When Orgon returns home, he only asks of Tartuffe’s well-being, immediately showing his obsession with the title character.

In Act II, the focus is on Mariane, who is betrothed to Valère. Orgon has a change of heart and wants Mariane to marry Tartuffe. Mariane becomes despondent at the news because she knows she has to obey her father. Valère receives word of Mariane’s new engagement, and he and Mariane spat about whether they ever loved each other. Dorine intervenes to reconcile the two lovers and encourages them with a plan to stop Mariane’s engagement to Tartuffe.

Act III puts the plan to stop the new engagement into motion, but it goes awry. Antagonist Tartuffe makes his first appearance in the play. Elmire requests Tartuffe’s presence, asking him to convince Orgon to end his engagement to Mariane. During the conversation, Tartuffe has lust for Elmire on his mind. Damis, who has been hiding in the closet, jumps out to declare Tartuffe a traitor. When Orgon arrives, Damis tells Orgon what has transpired. Tartuffe agrees that he has been a sinner, but Orgon does not believe Damis, angrily telling his son to leave the house. In this heated moment, Orgon also declares to Tartuffe that he, rather than his family, shall have his estate.

In the next act, the fallout from Orgon’s gift occurs, and the family’s frustration with Orgon’s obsession reaches a climax. Elmire arranges a meeting with Tartuffe while Orgon hides under the table. She expresses feelings for Tartuffe to encourage him to visibly respond. When Orgon emerges from under the table and calls Tartuffe out on his betrayal, Tartuffe reminds him that he now owns Orgon’s house. Orgon becomes panicky not just because of the deed of gift but also because of a mysterious box.

The final act reveals that the mysterious box includes papers from a friend that Orgon was asked to keep secret. At Tartuffe’s request, Orgon gave Tartuffe the box for safe keeping. According to Valère’s report, Tartuffe plans to use the box against Orgon and have him arrested. Valère tries to help Orgon escape, but an officer and Tartuffe arrive. In a surprise twist, the officer arrests Tartuffe, claiming that the prince of France knows his shady past and could tell he was a fraud. Now, the family can rejoice as Orgon is pardoned for harboring the box, the family does not have to leave their home, and Mariane and Valère can marry. Even Madame Pernelle, the final holdout, comes to see Tartuffe as a hypocrite.