Hunt 1

Patrick A. Hunt
Professor Wolfgang
Literature 202
13 November 2011
Saying one thing and Doing Another
This class has been a great experience for me. I cant begin to explain. The joy I feel
that Ive had the opportunity to live a piece of the lives of the many authors I was
introduced to in these past 17 weeks. Pretending to have certain virtues, values, qualities,
and beliefs in order to deceive those around oneself is known as hypocrisy. Jean-Baptiste
Poquelin Moliere wrote a short story depicting hypocrisy in 1664 titled Tartuffe. Being
in the military I experience this everyday and I constantly think of this story when I see it.
Tartuffe presents readers with the dilemma of confronting hypocrisy amongst family
members; at the same time the story hit on sensitive issue during this era, religion.
Moliere was ridiculed for his writings about religion in Tartuffe, as a result he was
deemed an outsider because of his critiques opinion, and subsequently could have faced
death. In order for one to determine whether the main characters of Tartuffe should be
deemed as hypocrites one must examine the view of religion during the time the story
was written, exam the main characters values and beliefs, and then determine whether the
main characters true values and beliefs changed or remained constant throughout.
Religion during the time Tartuffe was written had begun to change. Citizens of the world
began to question the validity of religion; not for the first time, but openly for the first time. In the
17th century violent religious wars begin between the Catholics and Huguenots (Thompson). One
of the main groups opposed to Molieres story were the Company of the Holy Sacrament; they
believed in placing men of the Lord in households, one can only imagine how this story made

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them feel (Thompson). This group in particular was extremely hostile toward Moliere for the
story; the preface of the story as described by Moliere depicts the extreme religious groups
hatred towards his writings.
Religious sects were able to persuade and influence many theatres to ban the playing of
Tartuffe. They feared repercussions due to what the story depicted; the story depicted hypocrisy
in religion. Additionally, these religious sects thought comedy concerning religion was
preposterous. After all, how could one make fun of something so vital to their way of living at the
time? Due to the influential power these sects had, Moliere had to plead his case to the King at
the time, Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King (Damerow). Louis XIV enjoyed Molieres
writings, as long as he did not make of fun of Kings (Thompson). The King determined
Tartuffe not to be an attack on religion, but religious hypocrisy; the church however, saw it as
an attack on spiritual directors/preachers (Thompson). Although the King enjoyed Tartuffe he
did side with his advisors as to not allow the play to be shown.
It could be said that Moliere took advantage of religion at the time. Up till this point no one
dared to question religions validity; the church was appalled by Molieres depiction of religion
and feared others would take his stance concerning the issue. Due to fear of reprisals against the
church, the church petitioned for the story to be banned. Religion is what kept nations at this time
together, one can see how the church would fear repercussions from Molieres depiction of the
main characters religious beliefs and the hypocrisy used through religion to obtain personal
desires.
In the opening act of Tartuffe the scene depicts the sons, daughters, servant, and Madame
Pernelle (Orgons mother) discussing Tartuffes presence in their fathers household. Madame
Pernelle believes Tartuffe a saint, the grandchildren on the other hand can see through Tartuffe.
Madame Pernelle believes Tartuffe was sent to them to show the family the righteous path to the
Lord, That Heaven has sent him to forestall its wrath, by leading you, once more, to the true
path (Moliere 306-361). Madame Pernelle makes a feeble attempt to convince her grandchildren

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of the good in Tartuffe. In acts one and two the grandchildren are disgusted at how easily their
father and grandmother have fallen prey to Tartuffe. It has yet been made clear as to why they feel
this way; they merely describe how their father Orgon serves Tartuffe hand and foot. One would
think from the words of the children that Orgon has been tricked by someone claiming to be close
to God.
Orgon is introduced in Scene 4; when he arrives the children inform him that his wife came
down with an illness. As they explain her status, he continually asks about Tartuffe. Orgon seems
to be focused on Tartuffe more than his ill wife. Cleante and Orgon begin their discussion in
Scene 5 concerning Tartuffe. Cleante believes Orgon has been fooled by Tartuffe; Orgon believes
Cleante is mistaken and should watch his words. Cleante plead his case, informing Orgon of
Tartuffes deception utilizing other examples of Holy men. He explains how holy men do not
boast, judge, or ridicule; holy men are humbled and speak words of kindness to all they come in
contact. Orgon believes Tartuffe is a holy man, he thinks this due to how he speaks of religion and
points out when others are sinners. It seems as though Orgon has been led astray by the words
and actions of Tartuffe, causing him at the beginning of Act 2 to inform Mariane of his plans for
her to wed Tartuffe. Mariane is distraught not only because her fathers wish is for her to marry a
man she despises but also due to the fact she is in love and Orgon has already given her hand to
Valere.
Act 3, Scene 2 begins with a conversation between Dorine and Tartuffe, the first scene with
Tartuffe. Tartuffe enters the room and immediately hands Dorine a handkerchief to cover her, he
claims the sight of her uncovered skin leaves him with unclean thoughts. For Tartuffe to be such a
holy man, it seems as though his defenses are quite weak, his beliefs and values appear to be
weaker than he claims. Scene 4 begins with Tartuffe and Elmire (Orgons wife) having a private
conversation, where again Tartuffe seems unable to control himself. He comments on her beauty
and at one point touches her gown. Tartuffe then proclaims his heart to another without saying her
name, the heart he so wishes to have is that of Orgons wife, Elmire.

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Damis, Orgons son, overheard the conversation between Tartuffe and Elmire; he feels there is
no other choice but to inform Orgon of what Tartuffe has done. Damis informs Orgon of the
conversation and Orgon immediately begins to question Tartuffe. Tartuffe admits what he has
done, however, he admits his sins sarcastically. Orgon does not believe what Damis has told him
and banishes Damis from the house and from their family. Orgon disinherits Damis on the spot,
believing he wishes ill will towards to Tartuffe. Tartuffe and Orgon continue their conversation
once Damis has departed. Tartuffe explains as the great Holy man he is, he has already forgiven
Damis and wishes Orgon to do the same. Tartuffe proposes a solution; the solution is he must
leave the house for the family does not want him there. Orgon demands Tartuffe stay, banishes
anyone who speaks poorly of Tartuffe and seeks to make Tartuffe his heir and give everything he
owns to Tartuffe in writing to make it official.
Orgon in Act 4, Scene 3 informs all of his family of his wishes. He wishes the hand of his
daughter to Tartuffe as well as all of his possessions. The family protests to what he has done, yet
Orgon runs the household much like a dictator would and silences all that oppose. At the end of
Scene 3, Elmire confesses that Damis was telling the truth. She devises a plan with Orgon to lure
Tartuffe into touching her and speaking to her as he did in the previous conversation, Orgon hides
under the table. The plan they devised works as planned and Tartuffe is confronted by Orgon
again. When Orgon demands Tartuffe to leave, Tartuffe tells Orgon to leave, after all Orgon gave
everything to Tartuffe, thus making Tartuffe the master. For such a holy man Tartuffe seems to
have tricked the very people who sought to help him. Tartuffe used something dear to the heart of
Orgon, religion, to earn his trust. It was not until now that Tartuffes true colors came out.
The three main characters in the story were Madame Pernelle, Orgon, and Tartuffe. Madame
Pernelle was mentioned only a few times throughout the story but her presence is felt throughout.
Orgon is led to believe he is head of household; however, this is only because Madame Pernelle
allows him to think this way. Behind the scenes Madame Pernelle controls what happens amongst
the family. In certain light, one could say Madame Pernelle is a hypocrite. She wants her son to

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make decisions concerning the family; however, her guidance leads Orgon to unknowingly do as
she wishes. She favors Tartuffe and wishes for the rest of the family to do the same, unfortunately
she is their grandmother and they are a little wiser to Tartuffes deception than Orgon. After
Orgon informs her of the Tartuffes atrocities, she refuses to believe. She cannot fathom how such
a holy man could deceive the family. Once Madame Pernelle finally sees what Tartuffe has done,
she then speaks poorly of Tartuffe; this is hypocrisy, she uses religion to place herself above
others when it is convenient, when inconvenienced she is no better Tartuffe.
Orgon is found at times to be a hypocrite throughout the story. This could be in part to the
situations he finds himself in due to his love for Tartuffe. As head of the house he has the right to
make decisions for the family; however, he should listen to those whom he shares the house with.
He was hypocritical in revoking his daughters hand in marriage to Valere. Such holy man would
have explained his expectations in further detail rather than going back on his word due to
rumors. Rumors which I imagine were created by his dear friend Tartuffe. In Orgons eyes
Tartuffe can do no wrong. When confronted with the initial situation involving Elmire, Orgon
refused to believe Damis. He became consumed with anger and banished Damis from the home
and his deed. If he were as holy a man as he says, or if he found Tartuffes mentoring as
invaluable as he claims, he would have forgiven his son. His anger got him in the end when he
signed his property and possessions to Tartuffe.
During the second conversation between Elmire and Tartuffe, Orgon hides under the table so
he can overhear the conversation. It is most unfortunate Orgon is unwilling to believe his wife
and must make an elaborate scheme in order to learn the truth. This is hypocritical of a husband,
how can he demand respect and honesty from his family and wife, when he is unwilling to
believe anything they say. If Orgon is a man of his word, when Tartuffe betrayed him he should
have given Tartuffe the deed and his possessions as he had promised. On numerous occasions
Orgon wished to withdrawal his words and actions; it was no different when Tartuffe demanded
Orgon and his family depart the property. Once this occurred Orgon wanted his family to listen to

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him and believe him. After so much deception on his part as well as Tartuffe, how can Orgon
rightfully expect his family to listen to him? They listened because they were not hypocrites, they
listened for the love of their father, and they knew Tartuffe had deceived him.
The individual the story revolved around was Tartuffe. Tartuffe cannot be seen as a hypocrite.
Tartuffe stayed true to himself throughout the story. Tartuffe was in essence a conman. He used
deception to deceive those around who took him in as a man of the Lord. He found Orgons
strength and made it his weakness. He used Orgons strength and deceived him with it, Orgons
strength was religion, and Tartuffe gave Orgon that which he desired to see. From the initial time
Orgon and Tartuffe met, Tartuffe displayed himself as a man of the Lord. His story was he was
wealthy at one time but gave his belongings and money to those less fortunate. He was highly
critical of everyone he came in contact with; he criticized them for being sinners. One cannot
think Tartuffe masked his deception, Orgon merely refused to see or believe a man of the Lord
could do such a thing. Tartuffe deceived Orgon at the beginning of the story, then again when
confronted with touching his wife, and then again when Orgon signed his possessions over.
Tartuffe played along with Orgon until Orgon trapped him in the second conversation with
Elmire. At that point in the story Tartuffe made his true persona known; hypocrite he was not, liar
and conman that he was.
The world revolved around religion in the 17th Century. Moliere wrote his book based on this
touchy subject, which surely offended many. Molieres goal was not to offend but to entertain and
make light of how some people use religion to deceive people into giving them what they want.
These individuals proved to be hypocrites by speaking the word of the Lord, yet deceiving others
for personal gain, which made them sinners. The story Tartuffe depicted Orgon and his mother
Madame Pernelle as hypocrites, one could also claim Tartuffe to be a hypocrite; however,
Tartuffes true character was shown in the final scene and from the officer whom arrested Tartuffe
this was not his first time using deception for personal gain. He had done the same thing before,
making him more of a con-artist than a hypocrite. If one reads Tartuffe, understands religion

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during the 17th Century, critically views the characters as portrayed by Moliere, one would be able
to come to the conclusion that Orgon and his mother were indeed hypocrits.

Work Cited
Damerow, Harold. "The Seventeenth Century."Faculty.ucc.edu. UCC.EDU, 29 Apr 2003. Web.
23 Jan 2011. <http://faculty.ucc.edu/egh-damerow/17th_century.htm>.
Moliere, Jean-Baptiste. "Tartuffe." The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Sarah Lawall.
New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001. Print.
Thompson, Diane. "Tartuffe Study Guide." World Literature II. (1999): Print. 21 Jan. 2011.

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