Tartuffe

Themes

                    Tartuffe offers many themes for one to explore among them are, the dangers of a heirarchy within a family, religious piety and how it can be exploited, and hypocrisy and its effects on the public's view of religion.

Characters

• Tartuffe
  • The main antagonist of the play, his role as the hypocrite is concealed until very early on, though suspicion arises during the beginning of the play.

• Orgon
  • Could be considered the protagonist, he has been utterly confused into believing that Tartuffe is a saint of some kind.

• Cléante
  • Insert Character explanation here....
• Dorine
  • The lady's maid of ____ , very "out of place" constantly interjecting with her opinion and very talkative, not the typical personality for a lady's maid.
• Mariane
  • Daughter of Orgon, engaged to Valére, is the subject of controversy when Orgon decides that she is to marry Tartuffe
• Elmire
  • Is ultimately the one who brings out Tartuffe's corruptions by flirting with him with Orgon in concealed presence.
• Valére
  • Engaged to Mariane
• Madame Pernelle
  • "Lady of the House", basically an old grandma who is jealous of the youth of her house and their vivacity.

Additional Resources

• Tartuffe Summary