Tartuffe By Moliere Essay, Research Paper

In Moliere?s comedy Tartuffe, we are introduced to the family of Orgon. Orgon

is a wealthy man with a beautiful daughter named Mariane. Valere is a man in

love with Mariane but the hypocrite Tartuffe gets in the way through

manipulation. Throughout the play Orgon is totally dedicated and won over by

Tartuffe who adds to the comedy of it all. Throughout, Tartuffe continues to be

obviously villainous and yet Orgon continues to trust him with his most precious

possessions. Also comical is the fact that Mariane and Valere are in love but

this continues to be foiled by Tartuffe?s greed and Orgon?s stupidity. In

the end, Orgon finally discovers that Tartuffe is a fraud but not before he

signs all he owns over to him. The comic devices in this story are evident

throughout. First, many of the scenes in the play are comical just in the

storyline. In scene four Orgon has a conversation with Dorine about the day?s

events, Dorine tells Orgon of all the trials and tribulations of the day. With

each description, Orgon asks about Tartuffe, who is perfectly fine and

celebrated with each bad occurrence. Orgon seems to just ignore all the bad news

and only be concerned with Tartuffe?s well being. This scene becomes even more

comical with Dorine following up with a statement about telling Orgon?s wife

about his ?keen concern.? This sarcasm adds to the comedy. The play really

becomes comical in scene one of the second act. It is here that Orgon actually

asks his daughter, Mariane to marry Tartuffe. Mariane thinks her father is

kidding and even Dorine feels it must be a hoax. Dorine even kids that Mariane

?deserves to be tartuffified.? Dorine however dead set against Tartuffe,

continues to work to get Mariane together with Valere against the wishes of

Orgon. The comedy continues as we are given an up close and personal view of

Tartuffe. In scene two of act three, Tartuffe speaks to Dorine. He actually

thinks that Dorine is attracted to him as he really shows his arrogance. It is

hysterical when Dorine states that ? if I saw you naked as a beast, Not all

your hide would temp me in the least.? But in the next scene, Tartuffe changes

his tune and pulls the wool over the eyes of Orgon?s wife. He acts genuinely

concerned about her health and well being. Then he professes love for Elmire.

Unbelievably, he convinces her through flattery not to tell Orgon. The comedy

lies in Tartuffe?s ability to fool everyone. However Elmire is not as easily

fooled as Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle. The scenes continue to be

comical as in scene six of act three where Orgon?s son Damis, insults Tartuffe

and is thrown out of his own house. The stupidity of Orgon to trust Tartuffe

over his own family in unbelievable. Moliere takes the laughter a step further

by having Orgon go so far as to sign all his money over to Tartuffe. He says ?

Poor fellow! Come, we?ll go draw up the deed. Then let them burst with

disappointed greed.? Orgon continues to be a fool until act four, scene seven

where he finally realizes the greed of Tartuffe and asks him to leave. He is

shocked to hear, ?No, I am the master, and you?re the one to go! This house

belongs to me, I?ll have you know.? Orgon has been swindled and it is funny

to see how stupid he really was. The play ends when the tables are turned on

Tartuffe and he is arrested by order of the King who was on to Tartuffe?s

terrible ways. Damis reconciles with his father and the wedding of Mariane and

Valere is announced. The ending adds to the comic device first in that the

tables turn on Tartuffe just when you think he has gotten away with his crime.

It is also comical that Orgon just seems to shrug his misfortune away and goes

on with his normal routine. Moliere comic devices are not the only things that

carry this play. The characters add to the comedy in many ways. Orgon and his

mother Madame Pernelle are completely taken with Tartuffe. Orgon is truly a fool

who cannot see the obvious right in front of his face. Both he and his mother

are so foolish that you want to scream at them to open their eyes. His family

must go behind his back to show Tartuffe for the villain he really is. Tartuffe

himself is such an obvious crook that you laugh every time he opens his mouth.

His downfall is that Orgon?s family is on to him. The family of Orgon seem to

play the best parts. With Orgon demanding that everyone trust Tartuffe, the

family schemes to expose him. Dorine brings Mariane and Valere together and

convinces them to fight for their love. Damis tells his father exactly what he

thinks of Tartuffe despite the consequences. Orgon’s wife Elmire even plots to

set a trap for Tartuffe exposing his villainous actions. Elmire is the one who

finally convinces Orgon to confront Tartuffe. In the end, Moliere keeps the

comedy in storyline fashion by ending it with Tartuffe being exposed and

punished. Moliere?s use of comic devices in Tartuffe make for a witty story

with very funny characters. As you read the play, you can?t help but laugh at

Orgon?s stupidity, Tartuffe?s arrogance and the family?s plots. In the

end, you are even satisfied with Tartuffe getting what he deserved. Perhaps

Moliere uses this comedy to show how it never pays to be bad or maybe he is

stressing to open your eyes to the world around you. Either way, his comedy is a

fun story that is loved by all who read it.