to make fun of what men revere; that Ihave presented the subject with all the precautions that its delicacy imposes; and that I have used allthe art and skill that I could to distinguish clearly the character of the hypocrite from that of thetruly devout man." (Meyer 1509)The play successfully conveys this message because Tartuffe is a first-class villain. He is asmanipulative as Lady Macbeth, as greedy as Prince John, as underhanded as Modred, and as clever as DarthVader. Through his every word and deed it becomes more apparent that he is thoroughly bad. Morespecifically, he not only wants to marry Orgon's daughter, but wants to defile his wife as well. He isnot satisfied with living off of Orgon's wealth but wants to possess it. At no time in the play doesTartuffe resemble a truly pious man. The play never mocks God, but only those who use his name to preyon unsuspecting fools. The part of the fool is played to the hilt by Orgon. Throughout the first three acts he is sucha domineering idiot that he is not even worth pitying. He, along with his mother, play the part of theblind zealot. What he chooses to call Christian love leads him to punish his family and himself becausehe takes away their freedom of choice and integrity and his own property. But, Orgon is not content tofollow Tartuffe alone. He demands that his family also follow. He becomes a threat to their happinesswhen the comedic scheming by the family begins. Dorine, Mariane's maid, uses her earthy wit to convince Mariane and Valere not to docilelyaccept Orgon's judgement. Damis, Orgon's son, testifies against Tartuffe's scandalous behavior withElmire. Cleante continues to offer Orgon sage advice and Elmire conspires to set a trap for Tartuffewhere Orgon can witness firsthand the ungrateful hypocrite's actions.Dorine and Orgon almost come to blows, Damis is banished, and Cleante is ignored. Only Elmiresucceeds. She hides Orgon under a table while pretendi...
