Tartuffe- Blog Post 3

Tartuffe: Blog Post 3

            Molière’s famous French play Tartuffe differs from many other plays because there is only one setting. The entire play takes place in one room of one house; more specifically, Orgon’s house in Paris. The play is set in the year 1660’s, which is significant because during that time the Roman Catholic Church had great influence on Parisian culture. The reader can infer that Orgon’s house is one of great worth, and that Orgon is a wealthy individual. Both of these factors are important to understanding some of the actions in the play.

The specific scene that was most interesting to me was Act 3, Scene 2, where Tatuffe and Dorine argue back-and-forth about Tartuffe’s bogus behavior and their nakedness.

ACT III, SCENE II TARTUFFE (speaking to his valet, off the stage, as soon as he sees Dorine is there) Lawrence, put up my hair-cloth shirt and scourge, And pray that Heaven may shed its light upon you. If any come to see me, say I'm gone To share my alms among the prisoners. DORINE (aside) What affectation and what showing off! TARTUFFE What do you want with me? DORINE To tell you . . . TARTUFFE (taking a handkerchief from his pocket) Ah! Before you speak, pray take this handkerchief. DORINE What? TARTUFFE Cover up that bosom, which I can't Endure to look on. Things like that offend Our souls, and fill our minds with sinful thoughts.

DORINE Are you so tender to temptation, then, And has the flesh such power upon your senses? I don't know how you get in such a heat; For my part, I am not so prone to lust, And I could see you stripped from head to foot, And all your hide not tempt me in the least. TARTUFFE Show in your speech some little modesty, Or I must instantly take leave of you. DORINE No, no, I'll leave you to yourself; I've only One thing to say: Madam will soon be down, And begs the favour of a word with you. TARTUFFE Ah! Willingly. DORINE (aside) How gentle all at once! My faith, I still believe I've hit upon it. TARTUFFE Will she come soon? DORINE I think I hear her now. Yes, here she is herself; I'll leave you with her.

Tarfuffe, the smooth-talking protagonist of the play, comments on Dorine’s cleavage. He claims that he does not want anything around him that could tempt him to disobey his religion. This statement is immediately juxtaposed with his pretentious claim that he wants to give his extra money to the prisoners. The setting of Paris during the 1660’s comes into play here, as Tartuffe says that he is a religious man. Anyone who claimed they were religious at that time probably belonged to the Roman Catholic religion. Throughout the play, Tartuffe tries to seduce Elmire, Orgon’s wife. This is evidence that Tartuffe does not care about temptation, so the audience can almost completely disregard his asking for Dorine to button her shirt. The fact that Tartuffe pretended to be a benevolent person and give the prisoners some extra money, and then told Dorine to button her shirt because he wanted to avoid temptation is a direct violation of Roman Catholic views, and basically religious views as a whole. Tartuffe’s words in this setting lead the audience to interpret him the way everyone besides Orgon seems to interpret him: as a fraud.

            The entire play takes place in one room. The fact that Damis could hide in the room and go unnoticed is a testament to the fact that the room is rather large, and one typically finds large rooms in large houses. Tartuffe’s actions in trying to con Orgon into giving him his money are further evidence that Orgon is a wealthy man. Tartuffe wouldn’t bother trying to gain the trust and respect of Orgon is there was nothing to receive for it. The wealthy setting helps explain why Tartuffe is trying so hard to befriend Orgon.