Archetypes In Tartuffe

Molière was before his time. He was inventive with his comedy, but he was controversial in his extreme religious settings. Tartuffe was written in mid-17th century France, a time where the Catholic Church and royalty were the only true deciding factors in creativity presented to the public. Tartuffe presented characters that were outside the norm and created hypocrisy against the church. The only thing that truly saved him was the king who fought for him and protected Molière on more than one occasion. Thorough out Tartuffe, Moliere has presented us with characters that have surpassed time. Most would call these archetypal figures, but the perceptions on how we see the character change over time. Some of the individual characters such as Madame
She has blindly followed men she believes are incorruptible and has decidedly made the choice to believe all religious ideals and persons. She tells the family that “Tartuffe is a man who should be listened to” (Tartuffe 16). Her archetype would be the “Blind Follower”. She also has a greater purpose in this story as she turns most readers against Tartuffe by her actions and personality alone. Her character has changed by our societal viewpoints as we have developed. Historically, it would not come as a surprise to listen, or pretend to, to your elders. They were the patriarchs and they demanded respect. Though Madame Pernelle was quite obnoxious in 17th century France it is possible that it was considered odd that her family or servants would dare to speak back. In today’s society, we view her as the “Wicked Witch of the West”. We are no longer as stringent on our values regarding elderly, especially those we consider rude. Therefore in the moments that the family is trying to reason with her, we see nothing wrong with it and we also don’t understand her outbursts immediately
He refuses reason and turns on his family for the sake of one man. Orgon is considered the “Fool” as he horrendously duped time after time by the same man that his family warns him about. He has been so involved with Tartuffe he believes his teachings of “loving nothing and no one. Mother, father, wife, son- They could die right now, Id feel no pain” (Tartuffe 22). Today, we don’t understand why Tartuffe was so important to Orgon. We can suppose it was his religious beliefs, but even after many reasonable debates with members of his family, he won’t give in to the concept that Tartuffe is a scam artist and this is confounding to most of the modern world. While during the time this was written, it was not shocking at all. The church was so influential that being a devout Christian was more important than anything else. It was the epitome and highlight of your character. This is why Madame Pernelle is so encouraging to her son on his choice of welcoming Tartuffe into his home. “That what my son has done is more than wise in welcoming this man who is so devout” (Tartuffe