Reading Notes W3: Tartuffe, Part A

Jean-Baptiste Moliere, “Tartuffe” (144-197)

Tartuffe Themes:

1)      Hypocrisy

·         Tartuffe is called a hypocrite: “”So you think he’s a saint. That’s what he wants. But he’s a hypocrite and merely flaunts this so-called Godliness” (146). In the beginning of the story, Moliere announces the theme “Hypocrisy” when referring to the character Tartuffe.

·         Description of character…“Tartuffe: a religious Hypocrite” (144).

·         Hypocrisy ties in with deception: “Yet I should tolerate this trickster who has become the voice we answer to” (145).

·         Letting us know of this Hypocrisy makes us question what the truth is and what is not, especially when Tartuffe speaks.

2)      Foolishness, or “fools”

·         Tartuffe fools two specific people: Madame Pernelle and Orgon.

·         Repetition of this foolery throughout the story.

·         On page 150, section 1.4, Orgon is fooled to the point he does not care for anything but Tartuffe. Even when his wife was sick, he only cared for how Tartuffe was: “Ah, and Tartuffe?” (151).

·         Orgon is a fool: “He’s taught me to love nothing and no one! Mother, father, wife, daughter, son- they could die right now, I’d feel no pain” (152). He’s been blinded and fooled by Tartuffe to the point that he does not even feel hurt by his family dying when a normal human being should be.

·         Madame Pernelle: “Oh now you start. Grandson, it’s “Monsieur Tartuffe” to you. And he’s a man who should be listened to” (145).

·         Both Orgon and Madame Pernelle hold Tartuffe on a high pedestal.

·         The word “Fool” even comes out of Madame Pernelle’s mouth: “-You-be quiet. Now let Grandma spell her special words for you: “F-O-O-L” (144).

3)      Sin

·         Sin seems to be thrown around quite a lot. Whether it is referring to Tartuffe claiming things as sin, him committing sin himself or making things not a sin for his own benefit.

·         Example of claiming things as sin: “By him! Anything we take pleasure in suddenly becomes a mortal sin” (145). This is referring to Tartuffe banning things either based on his taste or because he feels like it.

·         Example of Tartuffe committing sin: “It was soon confirmed, he has a crime for every sin, but why squander the time to list them or the aliases he used” (196).

·         Example of claiming things that are sins as not a sin: “There’ll be no sins for which we atone, ‘cause evil exists only when it’s known. Adam and Eve were public in their fall. To sin in private is not to sin at all” (186).

Note: Every theme seems to connect with each other.