In the neoclassical comedy Tartuffe, written by Jean-Baptiste Polquelin Moliere, Tartuffe is illustrated as a disreputable character who has posed as a religious ascetic. Orgon, the master of the house, is convinced Tartuffe is a humble and pious man despitethe rest of his families claims. Yet, in Act IV, scene seven the impostor Tartuffe is finallyexposed for the fraud he really is.ACT IVScene 7Tartuffe, Elmire, OrgonTARTUFFE [Not seeing ORGON]Madam, all things have worked out to perfection;Ive given the neighboring rooms a full inspection;No ones about: and now I may at last...ORGON [Intercepting him] Hold on, my passionate fellow, not so fast!I should advise a little more restraint.Well, so you thought youd fool me, my dear saint!How soon you wearied of the saintly life-Wedding my daughter, and coveting my wife!Ive long suspected you, and had a feelingThat soon Id catch you at your double dealing.Just now, youve given me evidence galore;Its quite enough; I have no wish for more.ELMIRE [to TARTUFFE] Im sorry to have treated you so slyly,but circumstances forced me to be wily.TARTUFFE Brother, you cant think...ORGON No more talk from you;Just leave this household, without more ado.TARTUFFE What I intended...ORGON That seems fairly clear.Spare me your falsehoods and get out of here.TARTUFFE No, Im the master, and youre the one to go!This house belongs to me, Ill have you know,And I shall show you that you cant hurt meBy this contemptible conspiracy,That those who cross me know not what they do,And that Ive means to expose and punish you,Avenge offended Heaven, and make you grieveThat ever you dared order me to leave.Scene seven of ACT IV represents the climax and drastic turn of events, whereTartuffe is unmasked then once again gains the upperhand as the new master of the house. In previous scenes, Tartuffe had been acquitted by Orgon of being anything ...
