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Tartuffe

Thursday, November 1, 12

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. YesB. NoC. 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 houseand Tartuffe, saying he is perfect.• Others objection to Tartuffes perfection but Madame Pernelle doesnot agree


Plot Summary (Cont.)

• Damis worries whether Orgon will allow Mariane to still marry Valere• When Orgon arrives he is only concerned with Tartuffe andconstantly praises him when Cleante asks about him• Orgon eventually tells Mariane that he wants Tartuffe to ally with hishouse 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 helpthem


Plot summary (Cont.)

• Damis is kicked out for fighting his father, Orgon, on Mariane’s marriage toTartuffe. 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 hesees 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. DorineB. DamisC. OrgonD. Tartuffe


Incongruity Theory

Act 1 Scene 4:

– Orgon has just returned and is asking Dorineabout Tartuffe and Cleante. For every misfortunehis wife endures, he brushes it off to inquireabout Tartuffe to which he always sympathizeswith.– This is incongruous because Orgon should worryabout his wife and instead he is more preoccupiedwith Tartuffe and how he was.


Incongruity Theory (Cont.)Act 2 Scene 3

– Mariane is asking Dorineto help her get out of herengagement to Tartuffebecause she loves Valere.It is Dorine’s responsesthat are humorousbecause of the incongruityof her answers. Every timeMariane begs Dorine,she says that she actuallybelongs with Tartuffe.

The more distressed Marianegets, the more Dorine tells hershe belongs to Tartuffe.

• This is incongruousbecause we know thatDorine wants to help her.Which makes her teasingfunny.


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: OrgonEiron: 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 tomarry." (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 TheoryB. Relief TheoryC. 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


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP6VDQ2J3QM

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-


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