In Tartuffe, Orgon illustrates what happens when we allow society’s image of our lives to dictate our own self-image. In the 1600’s a society existed in which social conventions held individuals more responsible for their public images than for their private lives. Individuals were deemed worthy or unworthy by the image they projected in their public lives. Orgon had shown himself to be worthy to society by having supported the kingdom in a civil war, “By these decrees, our Prince rewards you for / Your loyal deeds in the late civil war,”. (5.7.79 – 80) However, Orgon recognized that he had tarnished his public image and made questionable his loyalty to the kingdom by accepting and secretly hidden private papers of a friend that had been exiled. “My poor friend Argas brought that box to me / With his own hands, in utmost secrecy; / ‘Twas on the very morning of his flight. / It’s full of papers which, if they came to light, / Would ruin him – or such is my impression.” (5.1.7 – 11) Orgon felt great guilt due to this presumed indiscretion, “Those papers vexed my conscience.” (5.1.13) His image of how society viewed him had lessened and his self image followed suit. Image being everything the damage must be repaired. In an attempt to assuage his guilt and regain his loyal image to society, Orgon befriended Tartuffe, who he believed to be held in high esteem by the church. Orgon’s first encounter with Tartuffe was at the church. “He used to come into our church each day / And humbly kneel nearby, and start to pray.” (1.5.25 – 26) I think that Orgon was more taken with what he perceived to be the reaction of others present than he was with the actions of Tartuffe. “He’d draw the eyes of everybody there / By the deep fervor of his heartfelt prayer.” (1.5.27 – 28) Orgon performed acts for the sake of his audi...
