Tartuffe
Biography Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Moliere) Born in Paris in 1621 The son of Jean Poquelin and Marie Cressé Baptised on January 15, 1622 Deceased on February 17, 1673 Studied at the Collège de Clermont (Now known as Lycée Louis-le-Grand)
Biography (Cont.) Considered one of the greatest masters of comedy in all of Western literature, especially hissatires. Other notable works are The Misanthrope; The Learned Women; The School for Wives; and The Miser While praised by Parisians, he attracted criticism from moralists, and the Catholic church - Tartuffe received condemnation from the church, Dom Juan was banned altogether Was forced to take a break from the stage due to his health in 1667 During a performance of The Imaginary Invalid, he suffered a coughing fit & hemorrhage as a result of pulmonary tuberculosis. He finished the performance, collapsed, and died severalhours later.
Background of Tartuffe: Social Norms of the Time Period During the time period that the play is set, the father of a family has absolute power over his daughter's choice of marriage partner; the father's will may not be avoided. The chastity of the father's wife is of utmost importance. A son's economic status is totally dependent on his father's will. In other words, the father of the family is much like the king at this time.
Background of Tartuffe: Religion Tartuffe is set in the realm of seventeenth-century Parisian high society during the reign of King Louis XIV, and religion was a very serious issue at that time. Tartuffe was first performed in a private production for the king, and the king s favor was essential in a climate of social and religious persecution. Although Moliere created Tartuffe as a satirical attack on religious hypocrisy, not religion, the play was banned twice by the church.
Background of Tartuffe: Golden Age Louis XIV strengthened his power by keeping all the local lords occupied with the elaborate court life at his palace at Versailles. This period is also known as France's Golden Age for the genius of the writers, architects, and musicians were promoted by the royal court.
i>clickr Question 1 Did you enjoy Tartuffe? A. Yes B. No C. Meh. I don't know, really. I'm very apathetic about everything, if you ask me.
Plot Summary Madame Pernelle criticizes all the members of her son, Orgons house and Tartuffe, saying he is perfect. Others objection to Tartuffes perfection but Madame Pernelle does not agree
Plot Summary (Cont.) Damis worries whether Orgon will allow Mariane to still marry Valere When Orgon arrives he is only concerned with Tartuffe and constantly praises him when Cleante asks about him Orgon eventually tells Mariane that he wants Tartuffe to ally with his house and so he thinks she should marry him Valere arrives and accuses her of consenting to the marriage The maid, Dorine, forces them to make up and promises to help them
Plot summary (Cont.) Damis is kicked out for fighting his father, Orgon, on Mariane s marriage to Tartuffe. Orgon is not happy that Damis doesn t see the good in Tartuffe. Tartuffe tries to pursue Elmire without any regard to her being married to Orgon. Elmire refuses. Orgon is still on a very strong pursuit to make Tartuffe his son-in-law. Tartuffe says that he would like to have Damis live in the house again, but he sees Damis as a threat to his moral character. Elmire asks Orgon to hide under a table while she talks to Tartuffe to prove that Tartuffe is expressing interest in her.
Plot Summary (Cont.) In rage of what he just heard, Orgon demands Tartuffe to leave his house, but Tartuffe reminds him that he owns the house now based on the paper Orgon signed earlier (something Orgon thought to be a marriage proposal). When Orgon and his family are getting ready to leave, it becomes known that Tartuffe is getting arrested for trying to fool the King. The King knew of Tartuffe s foolishness, and declared the deed of the house back to Orgon (whom the King describes as a good man just following the good acts he was told to). Orgon allows Mariane to marry Valeire.
i>clickr Question 2 Which Character was the comic relief? A. Dorine B. Damis C. Orgon D. Tartuffe
Incongruity Theory Act 1 Scene 4: Orgon has just returned and is asking Dorine about Tartuffe and Cleante. For every misfortune his wife endures, he brushes it off to inquire about Tartuffe to which he always sympathizes with. This is incongruous because Orgon should worry about his wife and instead he is more preoccupied with Tartuffe and how he was.
Incongruity Theory (Cont.) Act 2 Scene 3 Mariane is asking Dorine to help her get out of her engagement to Tartuffe because she loves Valere. It is Dorine s responses that are humorous because of the incongruity of her answers. Every time Mariane begs Dorine, she says that she actually belongs with Tartuffe. The more distressed Mariane gets, the more Dorine tells her she belongs to Tartuffe. This is incongruous because we know that Dorine wants to help her. Which makes her teasing funny.
Superiority Theory Tartuffe is able to trick Orgon throughout the play - Convinces him he is a pious man, stays in his home - Orgon is completely oblivious to Tartuffe s advances on his wife Funny to the Audience because we feel as though we would be smart enough to see through his lies. Classic Greek Character Relation Alazon: Orgon Eiron: Tartuffe
Superiority Theory (Cont.) - Dorine (the maid) can also be an argument for Eiron Your father's addled; he's acting like a dunce. Therefore you'd better humor the old fossil. Pretend to yield to him, be sweet and docile, And then postpone, as often as necessary, The day on which you have agreed to marry." (2.4.90) Dorine is telling Mariane not to object but delay her father's plans to wed Tartuffe - Her role throughout the play is small and without status, but her wit is sharper than anyone else
Superiority Theory (Cont.) - Tartuffe also becomes the victim He is captured at the end for being a hypocrite - Although unexpected, once Tartuffe is taken in the audience feels superior to the character initially thought to be the strongest of all - Got what he had coming kind of feeling
Relief Theory Act V: Scene 7: A clear example is when the king's orders outright calls out Tartuffe's bluff and has him arrested. Orgon's errors are forgiven as well, relieving all of the tension once felt during the play. Act III - Scene 4: Damis finally affirms his pursuit to expose Tartuffe. This is an example of relief theory because it makes Tartuffe, the villain, less likely to get away with everything. At least, as far as the audience knows.
i>clickr question 3 Which theory is represented the most? A. Superiority Theory B. Relief Theory C. Incongruity Theory
Reaction to Tartuffe Ideals of the church were being challenged French wars of Religion Scientific Revolution (16th-18th century) Tartuffe is a satire, but of what? Moliere s intended target was hypocrisy The church viewed it as a satire of religion as a whole
A Modern Reaction: The Book of Mormon A modern play with satire pertaining to religion Two Mormon missionaries sent to Africa The religion itself is portrayed ridiculously A lot of good is still done - Reception Praised Mild reaction from the Mormon community http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ijbi1eeaaa
Leap of Faith - Modern day tale of con man pretending to be faith healer - Jonas Nightengale scams people out of their money by "saving their souls" - Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp6vdq2j3qm
How it Relates to Tartuffe - The townspeople worship Jonas (like Orgon and his mother) - The sheriff is skeptic (like Orgon's family) - Unlike Tartuffe, the con man learns about his own life and changes his ways
References - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/moli%c3%a8re - http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/28488 -