Maxfield, Amelia. “Oh, The Hypocrisy! Or, A Dramaturgical Analysis of Moliere’s Tartuffe.” (2016).
The title character of this work, known as Tartuffe, is the decisive hypocrite. It can be captured that his sinful actions are totally in contradiction with the Cristian values that he claims. Even though Tartuffe claims to be religious, holy, and charitable, his traits are the opposite. He is greedy, lustful, and above all, treacherous. His level of hypocrisy ca be described as infectious and also dangerous. It destabilizes the entire household of Orgon, and it negatively impacts the individuals who believe in the pious men. Those who believe in Tartuffe also become hypocrites themselves. For example, Madame Pernelle, who talks about Christian charity, is seen to strike her maid. Besides, Orgon is observed to commit several sins, even against his people. However, other characters stand against the hypocrisy of Tartuffe, who are Dorine, Cleante, and Elmire. Dorine and Cleante use rhetoric Language in the attempt of combating Tartuffe though it does not come out clearly. It is because he has the legal claim of the family property.
Olson, R. S. (2017). Maids: An Analysis of Molière’s Female Ideal in Tartuffe and The Learned Ladies
The people of the Moliere community consider reasoning as the among highest virtues. Besides, they feel the emotion as being weak and illogical. Within the play, Tartuffe is seen to use emotion to deceive and heat those who are around him. On the other hand, Elmire, Dorine, and Cleante employ the reason to combat him. The aspect of contrast between the emotion of Tartuffe and the reason for t other characters indicates differences in perceptions. Temporarily, Orgon, the main target of Tartuffe’s seductive influences, converts and swayed by the emotions as the play continues. Tartuffe makes sure that Orgon is feel deceived by his people, an aspect which causes his associate to blow out to those who are attempting to offer help. Their reason and logic only alienate further after Orgon is convinced that Tartuffe is the only trustworthy person. As a result, Orgon disowns his people, an aspect that is based on emotions and not logic.
Harris, Joseph, and Julia Prest. “Editors’ Preface: Guilty Pleasures: Theater, Piety, and Immorality in Seventeenth-Century France.” Yale French Studies (2016): 1-9.
The French culture at this set of books is closely linked with society and religion. Besides, the church has a capacity of enormous power whereby devoutness was regarded as an integral part of daily life. It can be seen that Tartuffe is misusing religion by showing faith and contrasting with the actual pillars of worship, such as Elmire. Even though Tartuffe has become the icon of religious hypocrisy, the real play does not condemn hypocrisy. The Moliere society seeks to demonstrate the struggle of discerning the difference which exists between the tur religious leaders and false virtuous gestures. It is observed that Tartuffe does not use religion for good about instead uses it for manipulation of people around him. He can describe eroding morals that are supposed to be extracted from religion. Even though Tartuffe does some good deeds times, for example, giving to the beggars, it is not from the heart. He does this to cover up his hypocrisy, an aspect that brings the question of religion and morals.
Gale, Cengage Learning. A Study Guide for Moliere’s” Tartuffe”. Gale, Cengage Learning, 2016.
Within the play, it can be seen that Moliere society demonstrates both how vital family and fatherhood. Besides, it also shows how upsetting it when these family structures become corrupt. It can be seen that Orgon, the paterfamilias, is seen to fall further into tarp of Tartuffe, an aspect which leads to suffering for his household. All the members of the family come to realize his role as the leader of the family. Through the use of logic, it can be seen that the truth is contradicting Orgon’s fear to a point whereby his relatives consider him irrelevant and laughable. Even though he makes a series of unwise choices, the gravest option is that of trusting Tartuffe. However, his importance to his family is unquestionable. It is an aspect that is shown through his irrational decisions, such as forcing his daughter Mariane to marry the man she does not want. Furthermore, he disowns his son and also forces his wife Elmire to devote time to the man who seeks to assault her. It is only turning away from Tartuffe that Orgon family can restore their liberty.
Gossman, Lionel. Men and masks: a study of Molière. JHU Press, 2019.
Throughout the play, Moliere defines that appearances can be deceiving. At the same time, he is not condemning that most underrated virtue, which is beauty. Relatively, Moliere has the belief that beauty is somewhat to be valued and admired though that should not rule our actions. At the initial stage of the play, Elmire is looking beautiful, flirt, and thoughtless. The robust Madame Pernelle is seen to blame her son’s wife as she seems to entertain a variety of callers. She also believes that the face masks of Elmire inners her inside ugliness. For reality, Elmire is beautiful insides and even outside. She also exhibits character of loyalty, kind and brave.
Contrary to Tartuffe, he is considered a religious and holy man who’s his outside masks inners his hypocrisy. Even though Tartuffe claims to contempt all worldly things, he still covets Elmire. His lustful nature of Elmire reveals that he has an inbuilt obsession of beauty.