Tartuffe Essays (1517 words) - Tartuffe, Le Tartuffe, Damis, Molire

Tartuffe Benjamin Koerner TARTUFFE In the neoclassical comedy Tartuffe, written by Jean-Baptiste Polquelin Moliere, Tartuffe is illustrated as a disreputable character who has posed as a religious ascetic. Orgon, the master of the house, is convinced Tartuffe is a humble and pious man despite the rest of his families claims. Yet, in Act IV, scene seven the impostor Tartuffe is finally exposed for the fraud he really is. ACT IV Scene 7 Tartuffe, Elmire, Orgon TARTUFFE [Not seeing ORGON] Madam, all things have worked out to perfection; I've given the neighboring rooms a full inspection; No one's about: and now I may at last... ORGON [Intercepting him] Hold on, my passionate fellow, not so fast! I should advise a little more restraint. Well, so you thought you'd fool me, my dear saint! How soon you wearied of the saintly life- Wedding my daughter, and coveting my wife! I've long suspected you, and had a feeling That soon I'd catch you at your double dealing. Just now, you've given me evidence galore; It's quite enough; I have no wish for more. ELMIRE [to TARTUFFE] I'm sorry to have treated you so slyly, but circumstances forced me to be wily. TARTUFFE Brother, you can't think... ORGON No more talk from you; Just leave this household, without more ado. TARTUFFE What I intended... ORGON That seems fairly clear. Spare me your falsehoods and get out of here. TARTUFFE No, I'm the master, and you're the one to go! This house belongs to me, I'll have you know, And I shall show you that you can't hurt me By this contemptible conspiracy, That those who cross me know not what they do, And that I've means to expose and punish you, Avenge offended Heaven, and make you grieve That ever you dared order me to leave. Scene seven of ACT IV represents the climax and drastic turn of events, where Tartuffe is unmasked then once again gains the upperhand as the new master of the house. In previous scenes, Tartuffe had been acquitted by Orgon of being anything short of a Saint. The family had grown tired of Orgon's blindness and Elmire had prepared for the restoration of her husband's sight with a scheme to catch the scoundrel in his lies. Ultimately the outcome remains with Tartuffe in control using the deed and mysterious box as his position of power. In an earlier scene Elmire devises a way to expose the hypocrite to Orgon. She persuades Orgon to conceal himself under a table while she speaks to Tartuffe, and her husband is thus a witness to the impostor's hypocrisy in all of its glory. What follows is a ?contemptible conspiracy? to catch Tartuffe and prove his deception. Elmire trying to satisfy her husbands need for proof sets a trap for the lustful Tartuffe luring him by falsely proclaiming her love for him. Tartuffe at first is tentative and confused by her sudden change of heart, yet Elmire reveals the nature of women and explains her jealousy of his plans to marry Mariane. Nevertheless Tartuffe advances further upon Elmire and even goes as far as to call the eavesdropping Orgon gullible saying that he is a blind fool, and that if Elmire kept their affair a secret, then it wouldn't be a sin. With this Elmire asks Tartuffe to check for spies while Orgon emerges from under the table. With Tartuffe's return Orgon has waited and heard enough proof to confront the impostor. The passage of ACT IV Scene seven is crucial in linking the entire story together. It is the revelation that the audience has been waiting for and sets the mood for the fifth and final act. The new situation that has arisen is a certain cause for alarm. Orgon and his family are troubled by Tartuffe's potential to displace them with the deed and display the incriminating papers within the strong box. In scenes following the passage Orgon, Elmire, and Cleante, the voice of reason, discuss their dilemma which has come about due to Orgon's blindness. Orgon has now seen both sides of his extreme spectrum. He went from loving Tartuffe as a pious and charitable man to now cursing the entire brotherhood. Obviously there is no dealing in moderation for Orgon. In scene 6 Elmire warns Orgon's fury is ?premature? but again he is deaf and blind to his family's words of advice. His haste causes Tartuffe to react defensively and with violent overtones. With a little moderation and words of reason, Orgon may have been able to escape with his home and freedom in tact.