Practice What You Preach- Tartuffe

 

A scene from a 1994 theatrical production of Tartuffe, written by Molière and performed at the Theatre Antoine in Paris, France.



          In the character Tartuffe, the enlightenment idea of a hypocrite is evident when he pretends to be a sanctified, overly religious guy that imposes moral acts. When Tartuffe met Orgon for the first time, he came off as a guy that devoted majority of his time as a Christian and that concerned himself with others situations. Orgon believed this imposter, against what many of the other characters believed in him. Orgon believed the foolishness that was instilled in Tartuffe so much that he was willing to turn his back on his own son in hopes that his daughter Mariane would marry this "religious worshiper." After Orgon accepted Tartuffe into the home, where Orgon showed different acts of interest, Tartuffe and Orgon tried to convince the family that he was perfect for Mariane until Orgon later found out otherwise.

An instance of Tartuffe's manipulating ways was when Tartuffe tried to seduce Orgon's wife by saying, "but I'm no less of a man, so when I find myself with you, I qiuckly lose my mind." Even after being told that Tartuffe is scandoulos in more ways than one, Orgon still believes that Tartuffe is holier than art thou and is still convinced that Mariane should marry this man despite her engagement to the love of her life. Tartuffe caused so many problems throughout the play from the failed attempt to get at Elmire to the bad influence his lame image gave off. When Orgon finally believed his family, Tartuffe said to Orgon, "Your cowardice, dear sir is unsurpassed. What I have to say is uncontested. Simply put, I'm having you arrested." Although Tartuffe's plan to blackmail Orgon didn’t work, his backstabbing ways still leaves a bad name for his character. Needless to say, his plan back fired and Tartuffe was arrested.