Blog Post #3

Reid Farber

Religious Hypocrisy

Act III, Scene VI, Lines 20-50

Tartuffe: Ah, Brother, let him speak: you’re being unjust.    

Believe his story; the boy deserves your trust.                              20

Why, after all, should you have faith in me?

How can you know what I might do, or be?

Is it on my good actions that you base

Your favor? Do you trust my pious face?

Ah, no, don’t be deceived by hollow shows;                                   25

I’m far, alas, from being what men suppose;

Though the world takes me for a man of worth,

I’m truly the most worthless man on earth

(To Damis)

Yes, my dear son, speak out now: call me the chief

Of sinners, a wretch, a murderer, a thief;                                        30

Load me with all the names men most abhor;

I’ll not complain; I’ve earned them all, and more;

I’ll kneel here while you pour them on my head

As a just punishment for the life I’ve led.

Orgon: (To Tartuffe)

This is too much, dear Brother.                                                             35

(To Damis)

Have you no heart?

Damis: Are you so hoodwinked by this rascal’s art…?

Orgon: Be still, you monster.

(To Tartuffe)

Brother, I pray you, rise.

(To Damis)

Villain!

Damis: But…

Orgon: Silence!

Damis: Can’t you realize…?

Orgon: Just one word more, and I’ll tear you limb from limb.

Tartuffe: In God’s name, Brother, don’t be harsh with him.                     40

I’d rather far be tortured at the stake

Than see him bear one scratch for my poor sake.

Orgon: (To Damis)

Ingrate!

Tartuffe: If I must beg you, on bended knee,

To pardon him…

Orgon: (Falling to his knees, addressing Tartuffe.)

Such goodness cannot be!

(To Damis)

Now, there’s true charity!                                                      45

Damis: What, you…?

Orgon: Villian, be still!                                                          

I know your motives; I know you wish him ill:

Yes, all of you-wife, children, servants, all-

Conspire against him and desire his fall,

Employing every shameful trick you can

To alienate me from this saintly man.            50

            This scene, along with the entire play takes place in Orgon’s house located in Paris. There is nothing specific about the house that influences how the reader interprets the words in this scene or how the characters interact with the environment, rather it’s the city of Paris and the country of France. First of all, this play takes place when Louis XIV, the Sun King, rules France. During this time he had absolute power over anyone in the country. Since the time of his predecessors, it was a goal to eliminate the wealth of the nobility in Europe. After a prolonged suppression of the nobility and alienated peasantry, a rebellion began against the tyrannical monarch. In this play, Tartuffe represents the omnipotent monarch who is stealing the wealth from his nation. Tartuffe’s entire motive throughout the play is to gain Orgon’s trust in order to eventually become the heir to his property and gain his riches. It is made clear in this passage that Tartuffe has appealed to Orgon’s emotions, accessing a significant influence over Orgon’s actions. He has turned Orgon against his entire family shown in line 47. Orgon’s actions are absurd as stated by Damis who is in disbelief saying he cannot believe Orgon is blinded by Tartuffe’s manipulation of words and not able to see his hypocrisy (Line 36).

            Tartuffe’s hypocrisy and manipulation of words is based in a corrupt religious appeal that is related to the close relationship between the Catholic Church and the French monarch. During this time the Catholic Church used pious persuasion, which influenced followers to give money. Instead of using these donations for a good cause, the church would steal this money and use it as their own just as Louis XIV progressively sunk the wealth from the nobility. This religious diction is evident through out the passage. Tartuffe uses the word “Brother” to portray a sense of connectedness and a deep relationship between himself and Orgon. The use of the word “Brother” influences Orgon’s trust in Tartuffe. Furthermore, Tartuffe displays his humble spirit typical of a religious man. Tartuffe talks of “kneeling”, “on bended knee”, and “tortured at the stake” all of which are related to the actions of Jesus (Line 34, 41, 43). Orgon is now under the control of Tartuffe, stating that Tartuffe is a charitable and saintly man (Lines 45, 50). This “pious” man has manipulated Orgon just as the Catholic Church manipulated the French commoners.

            Lastly, the point of the play is to convey the religious hypocrisy and corruptness of Tartuffe who represents despotic Louis XIV and fraudulent Catholic Church during the 17^th century.