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Reason Vs. Passion In Moliere's Tartuffe

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Reason Vs. Passion In Moliere's Tartuffe
Tartuffe is a play written by Moliere. This setting takes place in Orgons family house in Paris, France in 1664. This setting/atmosphere of this play takes place when King Louis the XIV reigned. The characteristics in this play demonstrate a comedy. There are two specific types of comedy featured, comedy of manner and a satire. The main theme in this poem is reason vs. passion. Orgon and Damis are the characters that are “hot headed” and choose passion over reason, while Elmire, Cleante and Dorine are characters who seek reason. Tartuffe has very flawed reasoning and he is also a religious hypocrite and an imposter.
The story begins when Orgon, the man of the house meets Tartuffe and believes that he is a holy Christian man and invites him into his home. Orgon hopes Tartuffe would rub off on his family making them less interested in material objects and to become closer to God. The rest of the family believes that Tartuffe is a hypocrite and had Orgon and Madame Pernelle (Orgons Mother) wrapped up in his web of lies. The conflict happens when Orgon wants his daughter, Maraine, to marry Tartuffe even though she is already engaged to a Valére. Dorine, the maid knows that Tartuffe is sweet on Elmire, so she devises a plan to end to engagement. Tartuffe openly admits his feeling …show more content…
Orgon heard Tartuffe’s proposition and jumps from under the table and confronts Tartuffe, not realizing that Tartuffe owns all his wealth and estate and documents proving that Orgon has assisted a traitor. Tartuffe shows up to the family’s house with a policeman to arrest Orgon because he has shown the documents to the King. The policeman arrests Tartuffe instead, and explains that the King could see through Tartuffe's act. Orgon is given back his property and absolved of any treachery deeds and he announces Valére and Moraines
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