Words and Actions in Molière’s Tartuffe

Tartuffe and the Concept of Satire

Satire is one of the oldest tools in the literary world . This tool is designed to use slight of words to attack popular culture , politicians or royalty in an indirect way . The first golden age of satire occurred during the age of Enlightenment . It was during this time that people viewed the satire and saw their faults magnified in a distorted reflection they could see how ridiculous their behavior was and then correct that tendency in themselves (Wheeler ) This will examine the use of satire through

language and action in Molier 's play . The literary device was not only used to gain audience applause , but also to aid in progressing the plot in an often times socially witty or politically intriguing manner . The use of satire is the main element Moliere used in Tartuffe , and it is this literary device which will be used to analyze the play

Though the concept reached such heights in the Enlightenment , the power of satire is not lost in today 's literary world . In most any American news , one can find the presence of political satire - poking fun or alluding to contempt of the current state of the political landscape While most satire maintains a good-natured and playful tone , it has been known to cross lines of acceptability

Moliere 's play , written during the rule of King Louis XIV , was intended to bring attention to the forms of Christianity which Moliere himself saw as insane . Within the play , the character named Tartuffe seizes upon the desires of the character Orgon - who is seen as a traditional Christian

The setting of Orgon 's home is an image of the idea of original sin The way in which the home life is constructed , as well as the subjects ' - Orgon 's family - follow Orgon . In the Puritan view , as many in this age of France were aware of , original sin forced mankind to become rule (Baker

The first appearance of Tartuffe in the play comes in an exchange between Orgon and Dorine maid to Orgon 's daughter Mariane . In this exchange , Dorine explains to Tartuffe that her mistress has been sick with fever for several days . During this time , Tartuffe has been watching over her . However his bedside manner is very unconventional as the audience learns through the discourse . When Mariane could not eat , Tartuffe ate two portions , when she could not sleep he slept undisturbed the entire night , and finally , when she was bled as treatment for her fever , Tartuffe drank four large draughts of wine at breakfast , to make up for the blood that the mistress had lost (I .3

Throughout the play , Tartuffe is placed in the position of authority figure , and respected . However , as the audience sees , his actions are meticulous and plotting . His reactions are often planned and prepared in that other characters perceive him as he wishes . In Act III scene 2 , Tartuffe notices Dorine approaching , and quickly begins speaking loudly to...