What are the major themes of Tartuffe?
Tartuffe Themes
- Hypocrisy.
- Religion, righteousness, and morality.
- Logic v. Emotion.
- Outward Beauty.
- Family and marriage.
- Deceit.
- Sin.
What are the four main themes in the play Tartuffe?
Tartuffe Themes
- Hypocrisy. The title character of this work, Tartuffe, is the ultimate hypocrite: his sinful actions completely contradict the Catholic values that he preaches.
- Reason vs. Emotion.
- Religion, Piety, and Morals.
- Family and Fathers.
- Appearances and Beauty.
What is the lesson of Tartuffe?
Though Tartuffe has become a symbol of religious hypocrisy, the play does not condemn religion; rather, Moliere seeks to illustrate the difficulty of discerning the difference between true piety and false pious gestures. Tartuffe does not use religion for good, but rather as a tool to manipulate those around him.
What does Tartuffe symbolize?
Tartuffe represents the hypocrisy rife among some groups in the conservative Roman Catholic Church. Although not truly religious, he takes on the outward trappings of ultraconservative Roman Catholic fanaticism, notably the dévots.
What social issues did Moliere highlight in Tartuffe?
Social issues in Tartuffe In social circles, Moliere’s Tartuffe gives more attention to the religious and the hypocrisy issues pertinent in the society. The author uses Tartuffe as his key character to bring out the apparent religious hypocrisy whereby Tartuffe comes out as a conman.
What genre is Tartuffe?
Society Comedy, Satire Like most comedies every thing wraps up happily in Tartuffe.
Why was Tartuffe banned by the church?
King Louis XIV issued a ban against the public performance of Moliere’s Tartuffe because of its depiction of a member of the clergy as an impostor and a hypocrite.
What is the main plot of Tartuffe?
Plot of Tartuffe Tartuffe is a wanderer whom Orgon takes into his home. Tartuffe impresses Orgon with his devout religious and moral beliefs and behavior. As a result of his carefully constructed persona, Tartuffe becomes adored by both Orgon, and his mother, Madame Pernelle.
What is the plot summary of Tartuffe?
“Tartuffe” by Molière is a play about the story of a man who falls victim to misdirected adoration. There is a trouble-knocking at the house of Orgon. Madame Pernelle, his mother, believes that the family is becoming depraved and decadent. Orgon had recently taken in Tartuffe, who is a beggar but also a holy man.
Who do the characters in Tartuffe represent?
Characters
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Tartuffe: Du Croisy | Houseguest of Orgon, hypocritical religious devotee who attempts to seduce Elmire |
| Valère: La Grange | The young romantic lead, who struggles to win the hand of his true love, Orgon’s daughter Mariane. |
What are the unique quality of Tartuffe?
Tartuffe’s superiority lies in the fact that he can accurately analyze the weaknesses of his victims and then exploit these flaws for his own advantage. He is no simple or ignorant charlatan; instead, he is an alert and adept hypocrite who uses every means to bring about his success.
How does Molière demonstrate the hypocrisy of Tartuffe?
Molière humanizes Tartuffe by endowing him with one other flaw. His eventual downfall is caused by his lust. Instead of making Tartuffe into an inhuman monster, Molière shows how lust causes the clever hypocrite to lower his mask and reveal his hypocrisy.
What is the main theme of the book Tartuffe?
Get the eBook on Amazon to study offline. The main theme of Tartuffe is hypocrisy—pretending to be something one is not or claiming to believe something one does not. Some characters in the play are knowingly hypocrites—Tartuffe, the invisible Laurent, and Monsieur Loyal.
Why are religion and piety important in Tartuffe?
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Tartuffe, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. French culture at this time closely linked society and religion; the Church held an enormous amount of power, and piety was considered an essential part of everyday life.
Who are the hypocrites in the play Tartuffe?
Some characters in the play are knowingly hypocrites—Tartuffe, the invisible Laurent, and Monsieur Loyal. Other characters—such as Orgon and his mother—do not recognize their own hypocrisy. Tartuffe and his servant, Laurent, are thieves and con artists; they exploit their victims by running scams.
How does Moliere use religion in the play Tartuffe?
Though Tartuffe has become a symbol of religious hypocrisy, the play does not condemn religion; rather, Moliere seeks to illustrate the difficulty of discerning the difference between true piety and false pious gestures. Tartuffe does not use religion for good, but rather as a tool to manipulate those around him.