Tartuffe: Molière’s Timeless Comedy of Hypocrisy
The Seventeenth-Century French Theater: A Literary Movement
A Flourishing Era
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed a theater boom across Europe, culminating in the development and consolidation of national theaters in England, Spain, and France. In France, the seventeenth century, known as the Grand Siècle, saw a surge in literary activity, particularly in theater. This period’s literature is characterized by a strong adherence to classicism, emphasizing the three unities (action, place, and time), the separation of tragedy and comedy, the moral purpose of works, and poetic decorum, avoiding anything that might offend good taste.
Prominent French Playwrights
Among the notable French playwrights of the time are Pierre Corneille and Jean Racine in tragedy, and Molière in comedy. Molière’s Tartuffe, or The Imposter, has garnered significant critical acclaim and audience appreciation. However, its initial performances were met with controversy. The premiere before Louis XIV shocked devout audiences due to its content, leading to a five-year ban. It was perceived as a direct attack on religion. During this period, private performances were held but also condemned by the Church.
Tartuffe: Structure and Themes
Structure
Tartuffe is a five-act comedy written in verse, adhering perfectly to the rule of three unities. It follows a single action (the problems caused by Tartuffe’s presence in Orgon’s family), unfolds in one place (a room in Orgon’s house), and occurs within one day.
Themes
The False Devotee
The play’s primary object of criticism is the figure of the false devotee, who held significant influence in France at the time. These individuals interfered in the affairs of wealthy households and exerted political influence on the King’s decisions. Tartuffe embodies pious hypocrisy and false piety, infiltrating the devout and sincere Christian family of Orgon. He attempts to steal their honor and material possessions.
Bigotry
The central theme of the work is bigotry, which Molière satirizes. He aims to reflect the political situation in France and defend the King, who also faced attempts at manipulation by devotees of the Society of the Blessed Sacrament, posing as individuals with impeccable morals. The play’s conclusion highlights another issue: only the King can resolve the problems of Orgon’s family, and by extension, the French people, by eliminating the influence of false devotees surrounding him.
Tartuffe: Main Characters
Tartuffe
Tartuffe is one of the most famous characters in theater history. He doesn’t appear on stage until the middle of the play, by which point the audience already perceives him as a hypocrite based on the descriptions provided by other characters. His pious and humble words are a perfect manifestation of hypocrisy. Tartuffe’s character is so exemplary in its hypocrisy that his name is used in the Dictionary of the Spanish Royal Academy to define “hypocrite” and “false.”
Orgon
Orgon is a wealthy Parisian bourgeois who enjoys a comfortable social and economic standing. He is initially portrayed as authoritative and intelligent, but under Tartuffe’s influence, he becomes foolish and intractable, lacking authority, will, and common sense. He blindly believes Tartuffe but, upon realizing the deception, transforms into an angry and exaggerated man, devoid of virtue.
Dorina
Dorina is a faithful servant in Orgon’s household. She is close to the family and freely intervenes in their affairs, particularly in the conflict caused by Tartuffe. Her presence is crucial to the play. She convinces Mariane not to marry Tartuffe and orchestrates the plan to expose his deception. Dorina is intelligent, shrewd, cheerful, friendly, and brave, acting as the voice of reason throughout the work.
Tartuffe: Style and Humor
Comedy of Character
Tartuffe is a comedy of character, where characters are defined by one or more psychological traits that symbolize an aspect of human nature or social status.
Sources of Humor
Situational Comedy and Pathos
Laughter often arises from the situations presented, blending with pathetic comic elements. For instance, Orgon hides under a table, occasionally lifting the tablecloth, to discover Tartuffe’s true intentions as he attempts to seduce Elmire. Orgon’s failed attempts to hit Dorina are also both pathetic and comical.
Language
Comic effects are achieved through language, such as the irony employed by Elmire and Dorina, or the repetition of certain phrases like Orgon’s constant refrain, “And Tartuffe? What a soul of God!” Each character uses language appropriate to their social status and personality.
Characters
Certain characters themselves are sources of comedy. Orgon becomes foolish and intractable under Tartuffe’s influence. Tartuffe’s hypocritical words, contrasting with Dorina’s description of him as “fat and sleek, shiny, red lips…,” create humor. Dorina frequently addresses the audience directly, creating complicity and breaking the tension at certain moments.
Relevance of Tartuffe
Tartuffe continues to captivate audiences today for several reasons: the strong delineation of its characters, the clever plot development alternating between comic and dramatic scenes, the wisdom of its satire, relevant to its time but still applicable today, and its abundance of humor derived from characters, situations, and language.