Molieres Tartuffe and the Religious Hypocrisy free essay sample

It is, I know, presumptuous on my part to bring you this poor offering of my heart (Tartuffe 3. 3. 63-76). In shock, Elmire questions Tartuffe on his character, considering he is a saint of the Church, but Tartuffe quickly replies that he is human as well. Although he is human, it is not morally right for a saint to confront a person with such words as Tartuffe has used. Once again, this shows that Tartuffe is doing so for self-satisfaction, despite being a saint. The audience then comes to learn that Damis, Orgons son, has been hiding in the same room and has over heard the confession that Tartuffe has exposed to Elmire. In disbelief, Damis is anxious to tell to tell his father about the conversation between his step-mother and Tartuffe. Damis says, Youve just now been repaid with interest, for all your loving-kindness to our guest. Hes proved his warm and grateful feelings toward you; Its with a pair of horns he would reward you. We will write a custom essay sample on Molieres Tartuffe and the Religious Hypocrisy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Yes, I surprised him with your wife, and heard his whole adulterous offer, every word (Tartuffe 3. 5. 3-8). Damis tries to tell his father that Tartuffe is acting like the Devil. At this moment, we see that Tartuffe is two-faced and he knows that Orgon will believe what he has to say considering he is a saint. Orgon confronts Tartuffe and in disbelief Tartuffe admits what he has said and continues to tell Orgon what a bad person he is. Orgon then is disappointed with Damis for telling a lie and questioning Tartuffes purity. Orgon is too blind to see that Damis is telling the truth, because he is so sure that Tartuffe could not commit such a sin. As the play continues, in Act IV Scene III, Elmire offers for Orgon to hear for himself. Im not now asking you to trust our word. Suppose that from some hiding-place in here you learned the whole sad truth by eye, and ear- What would you say of our good friend, after that (Tartuffe 4. . 69-72). In a laughing manner, Orgon agrees to hide and listen to his wife and Tartuffe speak. Elmire begins to say the things she must in order for Tartuffe to come clean and there are several times in this scene in which she coughs in order to get Orgons attention. In the beginning of Act IV Scene VI, Orgon can not believe what he has heard. As Tartuffe re-enters t he room, Orgon says to Tartuffe, How soon you wearied of the saintly life- Wedding my daughter, coveting my wife! Ive long suspected you, and had feeling that soon Id catch you at your double-dealing (Tartuffe 4. 7. 7-10). It is at this point that Orgon has seen for himself that Tartuffe is two-faced and continues to lie. Although being caught by Orgon himself, Tartuffe continues to lie and threatens Orgon for his property. Shortly after words, Monsieur Loyal comes to the house to notify Orgon that he must soon leave the premises because it is Tartuffes property now. In Act V Scene VII, an officer comes in to deliver some news from the King. We serve a Prince to who all shame is hateful, a Prince who see into our inmost hearts, and cant be fooled by any tricksters arts. His royal soul through generous and human. ] With one keen glance, the King perceived the whole [ ] The King recognized Tartuffe as one notorious by another name, whod done so many vicious crimes that one could fill ten volumes with them, and be writing still. [ ] By this mans treachery towards you [ ] And force him to restore your property. Your private papers, by the Kings command, I hereby seize and give into your hand (Tartuffe 5. 7. 46-74). The King obviously had noticed that Tartuffe could not be trusted and was two-faced; he gave the property back to Orgon for his good deeds in the civil war. In conclusion, throughout Tartuffe, there are many examples that can prove that Tartuffe was a hypocrite. He believed that just because he was perceived as a saint, he was able to take to his advantage, because he knew that Orgon would believe him and not the others. Although Orgon was stubborn to his family and gullible to Tartuffe, Orgon was able to see the actions and hear the words himself. Orgon was in such disbelief that it had seemed that Tartuffe was going to get rid of Orgons family. The King himself believed that Tartuffe was not being honest and did not trust him. In having those feelings, he seized the property from Tartuffe and granted it back to Orgon. Tartuffe shows us that although anyone can show us to be a strong believer; anyone is able to put up an act to achieve personal satisfaction. In this case, Tartuffe took advantage of being considered a saint, because no one would expect for someone in religion to do such a sin. Works Cited: Moliere, Jean-Baptise Poquelin. Tartuffe. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Maynard Mack. New York: W. W. Norton Company, 1995. 307 -356.