“Comedy is, as I have said, an imitation of lower types...” Aristotle believed that, in order for a comedy to be truly believable and enjoyable, it had to involve characters to whom the audience could easily relate, i.e. people below the upper classes. Consequently, many comedies revolve around family dramas and Molière’s "Le Tartuffe" is no exception. The entertaining family drama in this case concerns the man Tartuffe’s attempt to manipulate and undermine Orgon and his family.
It cannot be denied, therefore, that there exists an attempt to undermine the family, and that the schemer is Tartuffe himself. Mikhail Bulgakov condemns the character to be “...the most complete and consummate swindler, liar, scoundrel, informer and spy – a hypocrite, lecher, and seducer of other men’s wives.” It is clear that Tartuffe is an immoral man and at the very least partly, if not quite completely, responsible for the family’s misfortunes.
Table of Contents
6. ‘At the heart of the play is an attempt to undermine the family.’ Do you consider this statement to be valid, and if so do you consider that it is Tartuffe who is solely responsible?
Objectives and Topics
The essay critically examines the statement that Molière's Le Tartuffe centers on the attempt to undermine the family, while evaluating whether Tartuffe acts as the sole architect of this destruction or if Orgon’s own complicity and naivety play an equally significant role.
- The central theme of the family unit's vulnerability in Le Tartuffe.
- The characterization of Tartuffe as a deceitful hypocrite.
- The role of Orgon’s gullibility and poor judgment in enabling the family’s near ruin.
- The interpretation of religious hypocrisy versus an attack on the Church.
- The moral and psychological dynamics between the deceiver and the duped.
Excerpt from the Book
‘At the heart of the play is an attempt to undermine the family.’
It cannot be denied, therefore, that there exists an attempt to undermine the family, and that the schemer is Tartuffe himself. Mikhail Bulgakov condemns the character to be “...the most complete and consummate swindler, liar, scoundrel, informer and spy – a hypocrite, lecher, and seducer of other men’s wives.” It is clear that Tartuffe is an immoral man and at the very least partly, if not quite completely, responsible for the family’s misfortunes. In Act III, Scene 4, Damis angrily gives a summary of Tartuffe’s traitorous deeds thus far: “Le vouloir épargner est une raillerie;/Et l’insolent orgueil de sa cagoterie/N’a triomphé que trop de mon juste corroux,/Et que trop excité de désordre chez nous./Le fourbe trop longtemps a gouverné mon père,/Et desservi mes feux avec ceux de Valère. “ This illustrates that Tartuffe has already caused damage for his own gain and that the family members themselves, or at least Damis, hold Tartuffe solely responsible and believe that he is manipulating Orgon (“Le fourbe...a gouverné mon père).
This attempt to undermine the family certainly seems to be at the ‘heart of the play’; all events could be said to revolve around it. For example, though Tartuffe has gained much through Orgon’s hospitality, it is not enough for him to receive money, possessions and marriage to Mariane; Tartuffe aims to humiliate, disgrace and deprive Orgon and his family of everything they hold dear and even to brand them criminals.
Summary of Chapters
6. ‘At the heart of the play is an attempt to undermine the family.’ Do you consider this statement to be valid, and if so do you consider that it is Tartuffe who is solely responsible?: This essay evaluates the validity of the statement concerning the destruction of the family unit, arguing that while Tartuffe is the primary antagonist, Orgon’s own flaws and blind trust are essential catalysts for the family's near collapse.
Keywords
Molière, Le Tartuffe, Orgon, family, deception, hypocrisy, comedy, drama, moral failure, manipulation, interpretation, Catholic Church, Aristotle, tragedy, innocence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this essay?
The essay explores the validity of the claim that Le Tartuffe is fundamentally about an attempt to destroy a family, and whether the antagonist Tartuffe is the only one to blame for this situation.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include familial disintegration, the nature of religious hypocrisy, the psychological dynamics of manipulation, and the responsibility of the victim in enabling their own downfall.
What is the main research question?
The research question asks if the statement that the play aims to "undermine the family" is accurate, and if so, whether Tartuffe acts alone in this endeavor or shares responsibility with Orgon.
Which critical framework is used in the analysis?
The author employs literary criticism and historical context, specifically citing Aristotle's theories on comedy, as well as analyses by Mikhail Bulgakov and Andrew Calder to support the arguments.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines the actions of Tartuffe, the character flaws of Orgon—such as his obsession and naivety—and the secondary involvement of other family members like Madame Pernelle.
What keywords characterize this analysis?
Key terms include Molière, Le Tartuffe, Orgon, hypocrisy, manipulation, family, deception, and moral responsibility.
How does Orgon contribute to his own family's misfortune?
Orgon facilitates his family's destruction through his excessive gullibility, his decision to prioritize Tartuffe’s well-being over that of his own wife and children, and his eventual decision to hand over his property and incriminating documents to the impostor.
Is the play considered an attack on the Catholic Church?
While the play was historically perceived as an attack on religion and was banned by the King, the author argues that Molière intended to expose false piety rather than mock true religious faith.
Why is the conversation between Orgon and Dorine in Act I significant?
This conversation serves as a primary example of Orgon's distorted priorities, as he ignores the health of his wife to inquire about the physical comfort of Tartuffe, demonstrating the extent of his delusion.
What is the author's final conclusion regarding responsibility?
The author concludes that while Tartuffe is the instigator, the destruction of the family is ultimately a result of both Tartuffe's machinations and Orgon’s own willful blindness, leaving the final judgment of fault open to interpretation.
- Quote paper
- Laura Smith (Author), 2012, Is Molière's "Tartuffe" undermining the Family?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295720
