ence and openly gave gifts to Tartuffe, “I gave him gifts, but in his humbleness / He’d beg me every time to give him less.” (1.5.35 – 36) Tartuffe performed his own acts for the benefit of the audience. Orgon stated, “And when I wouldn’t take it back, he’d share / Half of it with the poor, right then and there.” (1.5.39 – 40) There is no mention of others bestowing gifts upon Tartuffe nor is there any mention of others receiving special treatment from him. Orgon told Cleante that, “And when I rose to go, he’d run before / To offer me holy-water at the door.” (1.5.31 – 32) Tartuffe must have realized that Orgon was eagerly attempting to impress society and even that Orgon was keeping a secret he felt guilt over. Tartuffe was soon invited to live in the home of Orgon who believed of Tartuffe that, “ There’s been no loftier souls since time began.” (1.5.13) Tartuffe had Orgon’s complete confidence and loyalty. Orgon told Cleante, his brother-in-law, of the secret papers, “and it seemed best / To ask counsel of my pious guest.” (5.1.33 – 35) Orgon confessed his secret of Argas’ private papers to Tartuffe. Orgon was then convinced to leave the strong box with his confidant. “The cunning scoundrel got me to agree / To leave the strong-box in his custody.” (5.1.15 – 16) What had begun as an attempt to better his standing in the community in case the papers were discovered, backfired on Orgon, as he lost his will and took on that of Tartuffe. Orgon was totally swayed by Tartuffe, “To keep his precepts is to be reborn, / And view this dunghill of a world with scorn. / Yes, thanks to him I’m a changed man indeed, Under his tutelage my soul’s been freed / From earthly love, and every human tie: / My mother, children, brother, and wife could die, / And I’d not feel a moment...
