Blog prompt #3: Tartuffe

ELMIRE: Pull up this table, and get under it.

ORGON: What?

ELMIRE: It's essential that you be well-hidden.

ORGON: Why there?

ELMIRE: Oh, Heavens! Just do as you are bidden
I have my plans; we'll soon see how they fare.
Under the table, now; and once you're there,
Take care that you are neither seen nor heard.

ORGON: Well, I'll indulge you, since I gave my word
To see you through this infantile charade.

ELMIRE: Once it is over, you'll be glad you played.

     This specific passage really captures the nature of the situation at hand. Orgon, the master of the household, is forced to hide under his own roof and degrade himself in order to figure out the truth that Tartuffe is a hypocrite. This reveals the extent to which Tartuffe has fooled Orgon as well as how far Tartuffe was able to infiltrate into their family. Although his family members attempted to tell Orgon of Tartuffe's true nature, he was under Tartuffe's spell to the point that he completely rejected their claims. Elmire, his wife, had to scheme up a plan in order to trick Tartuffe so that Orgon may come to the realization that Tartuffe is not the man he asserts himself to be. The fact that their family had to devise an "infantile charade" like this displays the true irony of the story.
     In addition, this scene also illuminates Orgon's characteristics. Everyone but Orgon and his mother saw through Tartuffe's trick. This shows how gullible Orgon is. The fact that he didn't trust any of his relatives further exemplifies his naiveté, and shows how stubborn he is as well. As the event unrolls, Orgon discovers that everything his family has been trying to convince him of is true, and he was made a fool of.
     Through this scene, we get an essence of what the point of the play is, which is that one should trust the people they are close to rather than someone they have just met for people can be deceitful. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Orgon refused to believe anything his family members accused Tartuffe of. He had met Tartuffe not too long ago and he is willing to adopt him as his son when he essentially does not know of his past at all. We might also take from this that a person's outside characteristic may not at all reflect what is inside. However, in this specific case, considering how every one else saw through Tartuffe's character, I think Orgon should blame himself more than anything for being tricked so easily and deeply. Due to his ignorance, he banished his own son, almost gave away his daughter to a hypocrite, and signed off his estate. Unless the king saw through Tartuffe's act, it would have been quite a tragic ending.