Book 6: Tartuffe

Tartuffe by Moliere is a French comedy written in 1664.  Orgon, a wealthy nobleman, has invited into his home a "pious" man named Tartuffe to guide his household in religious manners.  Tartuffe's hypocritical religious charade fools only Orgon and his mother while the rest of the family wishes him gone.  Troubles come to a head when Orgon decrees that his daughter should marry Tartuffe instead of Valere, the young nobleman whom she loves.  Orgon's wife Elmire tries to ask Tartuffe to change his mind and is shocked when he makes advances upon her.  The hot-headed son Damis tries to break Tartuffe's hold by telling his father about these advancement; but Orgon refuses to listen, banishes his son, and decides to make Tartuffe his heir.  Finally Elmire convinces Orgon to hide in the room while she talks with Tartuffe to expose his deception, but since Orgon has already given everything to Tartuffe instead of him leaving he gives Orgon's family a notice of eviction and goes before the king to charge Orgon with treason.  Were it not for the king's recognition of Tartuffe's treachery, Orgon would have been ruined; but all is set to right as legal document giving Orgon's possessions to Tartuffe is nullified and the true traitor is imprisoned.


I found the play to be witty and thought provoking and would recommend it as a must read.


Favorite passages:  From Dorine to Tartuffe upon being asked to cover her bosom


"It's strange that you're so easily excited;
My own desires are not so soon ignited,
And if I saw you naked as a beast,
Not all your hide would tempt me in the least."


Advise from Cleante to Orgon


"Ah, Brother, man's a strangely fashioned creature
Who seldom is content to follow Nature,
But recklessly pursues his inclination
Beyond the narrow bounds of moderation,
And often, by transgressing Reason's laws,
Perverts a lofty aim or noble cause."


"Learn to distinguish virtue from pretense,
Be cautious in bestowing admiration,
And cultivate a sober moderation.
Don't humor fraud, but also don't asperse
True piety; the latter fault is worse,
And it is best to err, if err one must,
As you have done, upon the side of trust"


Note:  All quotes come from Richard Wilbur's translation