A Theme Of Religion In Tartuffe By Moliere

Tartuffe is a comic play written by french writer “Moliere”, who tells the story of a religious hypocrite attempt to the peace and harmony of a family, as the two heads of the house received him as a guest and a respectable gentleman. The reading audience found the discussion of religion beneficial to the contextual understanding of Tartuffe. In addition, the play presents various aspects of the 17th century in France, Moliere did not write this play to condemn the importance of religion in this century but rather the representation of hypocrisy of religion and to instruct his audience through the sense of humor, the importance of reasoning, common sense, manipulation, and clear thinking of all aspects of life. The play was originally taken as an attack of religion, due to the fact that in the 17th century the church held an enormous amount of power in society and piety was an essential part to everyday life. Moliere believed that religion and society should not be mixed, and that religion should be a private and personal decision to every individual, meaning that the church or any religious figure should not hold any privileged position, however, this assumptions made by the church eventually persuaded King Louis XIV to have it banned. This controversial comments made by the church made it one of the most famous theatrical comedies of Moliere, although religion was considered the main theme in Tartuffe. There was also the fact that he used his power to manipulate other family members in the house referring to god in every decision that the character of Orgon was about to make; this caused controversial among the members of the church (the most powerful members of the 17th century) and the mentor of King Louis XIV, convincing him to censored the play in France even though he never had any interesting in doing so, many compared how Tartuffe manipulated the people around him to the church back in these days since they were considered the most powerful and influential members of society, using their power to their own convenience.

Orgon brought the poor and insincere Tartuffe into his home taking advantage of his good intentions with him. Consequently the audience must have observed how Moliere is able to convey Orgon and Madame Pernelle as the representation of the innocent people the church used to take advantage of. “Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all the fashionable vices pass for virtue”- Moliere Tartuffe had been a play surrounded by controversy since its first performance in 1664 which was later censored by the 17th century church. Since its first performance in stage it was clear that the audience failed to understand the meaning of the play and the message Moliere was trying to send, Tartuffe was a representation of the hypocrisy of religion in this century and yet it was taken by the community as an attack to the church. Pushing the King to censore the play due to the influence of the church and his mentor, despite all the obstacles along the way it was finally accepted by society and the church. Tartuffe is defined by his religiuos hypocrisy and through it managing to manipulate Orgon to overlook his family and doubt his own beliefs, however the play makes a significant distinction between hipocrisy and true spirituality. The character Moliere used to represent true spirituality is Cleante who proclaims that a true man does not brag about himself or condenm others, not prideful or showy. Claiming that holy men do exists but it is not of their nature to be recognized as such, therefore he mock religious hyprocrisy and its biggest fault in the way it compromises the true meaning of a holy man. As the role the church played in this misconception among the people, showing the character of Orgon blind by the evilness of Tartuffe is bringing into his life, destroying everything he has ever built and slowly taking it away from him. As Tartuffe claims to be a religious figure and a “holy man” sent by god, Orgon believes that he is protecting his home from sin. Although there were numerous warnings by many characters about Tartuffe’s true character and intentions Orgon contuined to believed him and defend him against his own family and giving good reasons and excuses of his actions continuing to be completely blind by this man that called himself “perfect” and “holy”. The connection Moliere makes between Tartuffe and the church makes him extremely dangerous, along the way he is connected to a powerful symbol which makes him impossible to defeat, once more this way not received well by the church, eventually, shows and makes fun of a class man (Orgon) being fool by a religious hypocrite. To mention during the period of time “Tartuffe” was written society was heavily influenced by the church, sience society back in the 17th century appeared to use religion as a tool of domination and satisfaction Moliere had to write this play twice yet it was still concerning to the church its meaning and representation.

The influence of religion in “Tartuffe” was very powerful and that two of the characters, considered the heads of the family failed to use reason and were fooled in a patheric way by a “holy man”, thus Orgon and Madame Pernelle became blindly ignorant by religion and use of common sense; these scenes illustrates that religion can be a trap; showing Orgon and Madame Pernelle agreed with anything Tartuffe proposed or told. Based on this Moliere was able to demostrate the real-life of christian hypocrisy, and illustrate how conscience of right and wrong can dissapear because of how religion is used to judge someone on the appearances. It seems almost unbelievable to the readers how Orgon was determinate to not listen to his family, even his own wife or anyone close or relate to him, to the point where Orgon chase his son, gave up his house and all his belogings only to follow a hypocrite getting him to doubt his own beliefs considering him “Saint”. Orgon went as far as forcing his daugther Mariane to Marry Tartuffe, the pressure from her father was too much that led her to attempt suicide since women were not allowed to speak or have an opinion to who they should marry. Mariane could not say her marriage choiced due to the values of her family and the beliefs of the church and society that daughters or any women should resprect men under any circumstances. To mention the techniques Tartuffe used considered by many clever trying to win Orgon’s heart and controlling his conscious, for example using piety and acting innocent around him, and the use of irony trying to control Orgon and Madame Pernelle in every aspect. Getting Orgon to believe him and protect him more than his own family, not trusting his wife who is supposed to be one of the closest people in his life, however, females were still suppressed and their right to speak, choose or argue over their lifes was still an issue in many communities and societies back in this century. Consider the relationship between religion and politics, one one back then did not have knowledge about the enlightenment ideas about the separatation between the church and state.