Tartuffe
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Laurel and Emily
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Author: Moliere
Date of Original Publication: 1664
Notable Facts: The original title of the play is
"Tartuffe, ou, I'Imposter. (Tartuffe the Imposter)
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The conflict in this play was all stirred up by
Tartuffe, who was admired so much by a
nobleman, Orgon, who set up his daughter to
marry Tartuffe, and causes a lot of problems, all
centered around Tartuffe.
Significance of Title
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The time and place in which the actions occur
is in 1669 in Paris, specifically at Orgons's
House.
Setting
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That you follow your heart and trust your own
instincts.
Theme
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A nobleman, Orgon, has become enamored with a fraud
religious man, Tartuffe, and tells his daughter that she
should brake off her engagement with her fiance and
marry Tartuffe.Tartuffe attempts to seduce Orgon's wife,
Elmire, who shuts him down. Tartuffe is made the heir
to Orgon's fortune. Elmire decides to show Orgonthe
truth about Tartuffe, and when he does he confronts
Tartuffe, who runs off with some incriminating
documents.Tartuffe shows up later, as policeman are
there to arrest Orgon, who explains that he has shown
the documants to the king who saw right through his
ruse, and he gets arrested intsead. Orgon recieves his
property back and Mariane and Valere are set to be
married.
Summary
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Madame Pernelle- Orgon's mother, initially enamored with
Tartuffe
Orgon- Elmire's husband, comes under the influence of Tartuffe
Elmire- Orgon's second wife, a strong, rational woman
Damis- Orgon's son, Elmire's stepson, eager to pick a fight with
Tartuffe
Mariane- Orgon's daughter, Elmie's step daughter, in love with
Valere
Valere- in love with Mariane
Cleante- Orgon's brother in law, a wise man and a "wise guy"
Tartuffe- a religious hypocrite who works his way into Orgon's
confidence and then betrays him
Dorine- Mariane's lady's maid, very sassy
Monsieur Loyal- a baliff who serves Orgon's Eviction papers
Flipote- Madame Pernelle's maid
Characters
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"Yes, and this very night,
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d'you understand? I shall
defy you all and make it clear
that I'm the one who gives the
orders have come wretch,
kneel down and clasp this
blessed feet, ad ask his
pardon for your black deceit."
-Orgon (page 64)
This is important because
Orgon is saying how he is
going to make his son wed
the girl and saying that he has
control over everything and
everyone.
Quotes and their meanings
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Appearances can deceive, mys son. Dear me. we cannot
always judge by what we see." -Madame Pernelle (page
88)
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This is important because she is saying how you cant just
trust any good-looking, well-dressed person, they can turn
out to be awful people who lie and deceive and can
damage ou as a person .
Quotes and their meanings
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Worthiest (pg 30)- deserving effort, attention, or
respect.
Naught (pg 61)- nothing.
Aswarm (pg 40)- crowded; full of moving beings or
objects.
Maligned (pg 87)- speak about (someone) in a
spitefully critical manner.
Chaff (pg 16)- worthless things; trash.
Engender (pg 18)- cause or give rise to (a feeling,
situation, or condition).
Oracular (pg 18)- of or relating to an oracle.
Knaves (pg 25)- a dishonest or unscrupulous man.
Unusual words
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Orgon has taken in and has been taken in by
Tartuffe, a fraud who is pretending o be holy
and religious, but most of the family and other
characters see right through him (except Orgon
and his mother). Orgon is so enamored with
him that he tells his daughter, Mariane, to
break off her engagement with her fiance,
valere, and marry Tartuffe. Orgon also makes
him the heir to his fortune.
Conflict
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Emily: I really enjoyed how the characters were
designed and how there was character
development through out the play. Just the
overall theme of the play was very funny and
witty and I enjoyed it.
Laurel: I found the way the script to be written
a little difficult, however, I enjoyed the fun and
wittiness of the play overall.
Our personal reactions