Tartuffe

The scene that I thought stood out the most to me in terms of setting and the interaction between characters was the scene between Orgon, Mariane, and Dorine. This scene is particularly interesting because it truly does a good job of showing the different opinions and motives of the characters. The setting here is more of a theoretical one because it involves the setting of motives of the characters. Orgon is infatuated with Tartuffe, and therefore wants his daughter to marry him. This moment in the play truly shows how infatuated Orgon is with Tartuffe. In contrast, Dorine’s laughter at the idea of Mariane marrying Tarfutte also shows how normal people believe it is ridiculous for someone to want his daughter to be married to a hypocrite that no one really likes. Orgon has made it his goal to have his daughter wed to Tartuffe because he is so obsessed with him, which leads to the following conversation:

Dorine: There’s lately been a rumor going about—

Based on some hunch or chance remark, no doubt—

That you mean Mariane to wed Tartuffe. I’ve laughed if off, of course, just a spoof.

Orgon: You find it so incredible?

Dorine: Yes I do. I won’t accept that story, even from you.

Orgon: Well, you’ll believe it when the thing is done.

Dorine: Yes, yes, of course. Go on and have your fun.

Orgon: I’ve never been more serious in my life.

Dorine: Ha!

While this passage can seem a little simple, I believe that it shows how fundamentally different the viewpoints of the characters are. The characters live in different worlds, mentally speaking, and that is why Dorine believes Orgon is kidding when he says he is going to have Mariane marry Tartuffe. Before this, Orgon is talking to Mariane by himself and it seems as if a marriage between Tartuffe and Mariane is possible. However, bringing another person into the mix makes it more obvious that having someone marry Tartuffe is something that almost anyone would find insane and like Dorine, laughable. This paragraph sets up a fundamental issues such as the issue of if Orgon will succeed in getting his daughter to marry Tartuffe and the question of Orgon’s obsession with Tartuffe and how that obsession will be further investigated.