Tartuffe Essay Piousness

1982 Bulletin #2

In Molière’s Tartuffe, one character, Orgon, has a completely distorted view of reality. Orgon’s illusions of how delightfully pious Tartuffe is, and his later destruction of that highly imprecise chimera, make him a pivotal character in the central theme of the work.

Orgon’s delusion of Tartuffe is of his piety. Tartuffe proves throughout the work of his impiousness. The use of outward prayer and flattery by Tartuffe makes Orgon a very easily moldable character for Tartuffe to take advantage of. Tartuffe manages to worm his way into Orgon’s family, as Orgon has revoked Valère’s permission to marry Mariane, and has given it to Tartuffe. Orgon also has a hazy view of Tartuffe’s feelings toward Elmire. Elmire helps to open the eyes of Orgon by proving how Tartuffe would so easily have an affair with her. Orgon’s view of Tartuffe gives the play its central theme: religious hypocrisy.

The destruction of Orgon’s illusion of Tartuffe helps to construct the central theme, because once Orgon realizes the villainy of Tartuffe, he goes to the other extreme by deciding not to trust any religious person. Cléante is the one voice of reason, when he chooses to explain that you have to find a happy medium in trusting, or distrusting, all religious people. The illusion of the goodness of the ever-so-pious Tartuffe makes the central theme the religious hypocrisy of those who are too pious. Once Orgon’s view of Tartuffe is destroyed and his manor is returned to him, Orgon fully realizes what Tartuffe has done. He uses his piousness to reel in Orgon. In doing this, Orgon has entrusted him with all of the rights of a member of the family. He gets secrets, and even a bride out of Orgon. Once Orgon has realized this, and his illusion destroyed, he realizes that those who are outwardly pious are not necessarily the most pious. Those who are quiet and devoted are more pious than those who are like Tartuffe.

Piousness is a thing that Tartuffe uses to take control...