Characters
Represents blind faith and abuse of authority
Who is Orgon?
The satiric device implemented in the exchange between Dorine and Orgon regarding the health of Elmire, especially with the line "And Tartuffe?"
What is stichomythia?
How Moliere starts the play in scene 1
What is an argument between the family and Madame Pernelle over Tartuffe?
Moliere's overall criticism that can be seen in both Madame Pernelle and Orgon
What are blind obedience and abuse of authority?
The character who speaks their mind and is not of the same class as the other characters.
Who is Dorine?
Dorine’s description of Tartuffe’s indulgence and gluttony despite being a religious man
What is hypocrisy?
The character who is a centerpiece of discussion by the family but doesn’t show up until later in the act
Who is Orgon?
What are religious hypocrisy/dangers of blind faith/disruption of hierarchies?
Acts as a voice of reason amongst the characters
Who is Cleante?
Moliere's criticism towards the blind obedience of Madame Pernelle and Orgon towards Tartuffe
What is target?
Orgon first met him at church, describes him as humble/holy, prompting him to take him in regardless of status
Who is Tartuffe
The purpose of demonstrating Tartuffe's influence towards the household
What is to legitimize his hypocrisy?
Doesn’t appear within the actual act but is the main topic of conversation among the characters
Who is Tartuffe?
Cleante’s rational arguments of “true piety” in contrast Orgon’s religious blindness and bias towards Tartuffe
What is satiric norm?
The purpose of Moliere beginning the act with the family arguing over Tartuffe
What is to highlight Tartuffe’s influence and disruption of the household?
The different ways in which Dorine and Cleante respond to Madame Pernelle
Dorine is bold/blunt, Cleante is more rationale/ philosophical; this difference is attributed to their social classes.
The character in the play who is the first to be seen influenced by Tartuffe’s deception
Who is Madame Pernelle?
Dorine’s bold personality and tendency to speak her mind against those in the household despite being of a lower class
What is reversal?
What Orgon is reluctant to confirm between Valere and Mariane at the end of scene 5
What is the confirmation of the marriage between the two and a hinted marriage between Tartuffe and Mariane (through his departing words of his decision being guided “By heaven’s will”)
What Cleante criticizes in his speech to Orgon
What is the inauthencity within one’s actions and the aim to be performative?