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1 BELLL SHAKESPEAREE ONLINE RESOURCES TARTUFFE LEARNING ACTIVITE ES ACTIVITY ONE: Couplets! According to Justin Fleming, translator t off Bell Shakespeare s production p of Tartuffe, Molière used rhyming couplets throughout [Tartuffe], his audience wass used to them, and in French they have less intensity. However, in Justin s English translation, for the sake of variety and to give characters and themes different emphases, he has used threee different rhyming schemes. Read the three passages below and identify the rhyme schemee Justin hass used in each one. Then write three brief passages of your r own (up to 8 lines each), using the same subjects and rhyme schemes. Rhyme Scheme One - Passages about truth vs hypocrisyy EXAMPLE: Act 1, Scene 5. Cleante argues with Orgon about religious hypocrisy. CLEANTE: I am not at all an oracle, even less a Socrates. I don't have all the answers. You like to mock, but these Are questions of judgment: what is false and what is true; searching for that difference is what we all must m do. There's nothing that I value more than a truly honest mind, the passion of a true belief is something that I find Inspiring. At the same time, there's nothing I hate more Than a sanctimonious liarr or evangelistic bore; what can be more odious than the coldly poisonous fake Who uses words like charity, when he's really onn the make.. The bigot at the lectern, with a proudly pious face Who sees religion as a business, and the world his marketplace.

2 Rhyme Scheme Two - Passages about love EXAMPLE: Act 2, Scene 4. Mariane informs her boyfriend, Valere, that herr father is demanding she marry Tartuffe. (Note the shared lines in this exchange wheree two or more characters complete a single line of verse.) The man can't be serious.. He has firmly declared that I will be Tartuffe's wife. But he seems to t have changed his mind almost overnight. Well what will you do? (Deeply shocked and hurt) Well upon my life! At least your answer's honest. You really don't know? k No. I don't. Well, if you don't know Then maybe you should do so. Go ahead, you mean!? Oh he's serious all right. I don't know. My God. Well what would you suggest? Well, yes. You really think that's best!? Well. Why wouldn't you? I mean, the offer sounds quite good. Then perhaps I should accept, as you've advised me to twice. If it doesn't cause you too much pain, then yes. You Y should. No more pain that t it caused you, to give me thatt advice.

3 Rhyme Scheme Three - Passages driven by the villain, Tartuffe. T EXAMPLE: Act 4, Scene 7. After discovering that Tartuffe is a fraud, Orgonn demands that he leave the house. TARTUFFE: No, it's you who'll get out. I am now the master. This house belongs to mee a fact that I can legally prove. I am staying put, and it's you whom I will remove. It's pointless to challenge me; it would bring you more disaster. If you try to damage my name or injure my reputation No one will believe you, all your ranting will ring hollow. I will avenge your insult and punishment will swiftly follow. For it's my intent to implement your complete annihilation.

4 ACTIVITY TWO: The women of Tartuffe One of the major themes of this play is the treatment of womenn in a male-dominated world. Molieree has created four very different female characters: MME PERNELLE ELMIREE MARIANE DORINE Orgon s mother Orgon s wife Orgon s daughter, in love with Valère The maid Answer the following questions for each of the characters above What is the character s overall objective in the play? How does the character get treated by the men in the play? How does the character respond to this treatment? How does the character exert influence in the play? Does the character achieve her objective by the end of the play? Why/why not?

5 ACTIVITY THREE: The design Answer the following questions: 1. Describe the set and costume design used in this production. In forming your answers think about: - The scale of the design (the physical size of the objects on stage) - The style of the costumes - The contemporary and traditional elements of the design - The set changes, including the five different wardrobe interiors Choose one moment in the story where the set was used for comicc effect. How was this achieved? Describe the use of lighting design in the production. What effect did this have on the mood and the world off the play? Describe the use of sound designn in the production. What effect didd this have on the mood and the world off the play? Now you be the Designer. Imagine you are the Designer for a new n production of Tartuffe. Decide on the: - Setting for the production (past, present or future, location, etc) ) - Overall design concept - Set design (draw your design if possible) - Costume designs - Lightingg design - Sound design Once you have decided the key elements of your production, select one scene from the play. Describe what happens in this scene and which characters are involved. Using your staged. design concept and ideas, describe in detail how this scene might be

6 ACTIVITY FOUR: Tartuffe in performance In his advice to the Players, Hamlet requests that they speak the verse trippingly on the tongue. He means that they should speak quickly, but without losing any of the sensee of what is being said. In this production of Tartuffe, the actors certainly achieve that flying throughh the poetic dialogue att a crackingg pace, while maintaining clarity. Choose one of the passages above (either the section of Cleante s speech, Tartuffe s speech, or the dialogue between Marianee and Valere). Rehearse the scene or speech with a partner. Start slowly and be very clear with your character s thoughts and intentions. Answer the following questions: - What is your character s argument? - What are you trying to do to the other character in the scene? Once you are confident with the speech or scene, increase the tempo without losing any of the intention. Now stage your scene by adding blocking (movement). How do the non-verbal elements of the scene add to the meaning? - Eye contact or lack of eye contact - Movement away from or towards another character - Changes in pace and quality of movement - Changes in vocal pitch, pace andd tone