Question

Write a- 2-page literary analysis about Tartuffe which includes a thesis statement. The paper should emphasize themes and major points discussed as well as the Christian-Worldview.

{PLEASE NO PLAGIARISM}

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION :

Tartuffe is one of Moliere’s masterpieces. The play was first performed as a three-act comedy in May 1664, and was immediately denounced for supposedly ‘attacking’ religion through its portrayal of the pious titular hypocrite, Tartuffe. The religious zealots who objected to the play eventually persuaded King Louis XIV (who had actually enjoyed the play) to have it banned. Sadly, this was not the last time religious people would take exception to comedy (and comedy that isn’t even poking fun at religion at all)

LITERARY ANALYSIS:

Moliere wrote Tartuffe not to condemn organized religion or religious people but rather to condemn hypocrisy and to instruct audiences, through the use of humor, on the importance of moderation, common sense, and clear thinking in all areas of life. Although the play was originally condemned as an outright attack on religion and devout people, a proper reading suggests just the opposite. Religion is not the problem; rather, the misuse of religion for personal gain at the expense of innocent, unsuspecting people is Molière’s concern. Works such as Tartuffe in fact help to protect and promote religion by exposing impostors for who they really are and demonstrating the real danger they pose to society when they go unchallenged.

How should we analyse and interpret Tartuffe, and what are the play’s key themes:

The play sets forth the theme of the importance of a well-ordered soul living in a well-ordered society under the virtue of reason.

Both Michael Billington and Eric Bentley have argued that the real stress of the play is not the titular Tartuffe but rather the credulous Orgon. The real theme of the play, then, is not so much hypocrisy as fervent religious belief that is unchecked by facts or reason.?

Such an interpretation chimes with Moliere's’s own defence of Tartuffe, in his 1667 Lettre sur la comédie de l’Imposteur, in which he argued that comedy is a physical, external embodiment of ‘the unreasonable’, and so the play of reason against the irrational is the right – indeed, necessary – stuff of comedy. Such a defence of comedy also chimes with the neoclassical ideals of much French drama, with its focus on order, and on keeping tragedy and comedy as separate genres

Thesis:

Tartuffe, serve to remind the audience of the importance of clear thinking in a world where some people will take advantage of simple thinking and blind trust. The play reinforces the golden virtue of “moderation in all things.” Excess, even in service of the most sacred faith, leads to ridiculous conclusions and potentially catastrophic actions.

In the end, the audience sees Orgon as remorseful for foolishly placing his trust in Tartuffe; he is also angry. In his anger, he inappropriately asserts that religion has been the cause of all the calamity that he and his family have undergone. Cléante, however, reminds Orgon that the real problem is not religion but the misuse of religion by impostors. Through Cleante’s final speech, Moliere reinforces the validity of appropriate religious expression by the truly devout.

RESPONSE:

The response to Tartuffe from religious extremists and conservatives resulted in the play being banned shortly after it was first put on the stage. One tract called Molière ‘a devil clothed in human flesh’. The Archbishop of Paris – who led the campaign to get the play taken off the stage – threaten to excommunicate anyone who attended a performance of Tartuffe.

conclusion : The thing is, Moliere's play Tartuffe doesn't make fun of religion: it makes fun of those who manipulate religion to get what they want – like, you know, Tartuffe character in the play. Still it's worth noting that there is no direct religious foil for Tartuffe; instead, Cléante has to do double duty as the voice of reason and the representative of true religious understanding. Through Cléante, Moliere makes sure that everybody knows how foolish Orgon is acting, and lets them know that he knows what religion's all about.