Tartuffe by Molière

Introduction

With Tartuffe, Molière moved further away from the simple structure derived from French farce. In this play, there is again a middle-aged man, Orgon, who can be tricked because of his obsession. Yet, although the trickster, Tartuffe, is a person outside the power structure, in this case he is a vicious hypocrite who must be stripped of his power over Orgon if poetic justice is to prevail. Therefore, there is another pair of tricksters, Orgon's wife Elmire and his servant Dorine who must set things right and aid the usual young lovers. (Mander, 123) The Orgon's house becomes a battleground between ...