Week 3: Discussion Question 1,2,3

Discussion Question #1 for Moliere's Tartuffe (Act 4, Scene 5 to the end of Act 5)

1. When Elmire fakes her love for Tartuffe, he says, "If Heaven is all that holds you back, don't worry./ I can remove that hindrance in a hurry" (4.5. 95-96, ). What does he mean by "that hindrance"? What does Tartuffe's suggestion to Elmire say about him? What do you think of her way of dealing with Tartuffe and exposing Tartuffe's sexual hypocrisy? How would you characterize Elmire? 

Discussion Question #2 for Moliere's Tartuffe (Act 4, Scene 5 to the end of Act 5)

2. Why does Orgon distrust what Elmire has told him about Tartuffe until he witnesses Tartuffe's amorous advances with his own eyes? Is Orgon unwilling to accept his misjudgment of Tartuffe, or is he deceived by Tartuffe's tactful scheme and pretense of being a devout Christian? Upon witnessing [empirical evidence] Tartuffe’s religious hypocrisy, Orgon tells him: “Wedding my daughter. And coveting my wife!/ I’ve long suspected you, had a feeling/That soon I’d catch you at your double-dealing” (4.7.8-10, ). Why do you think Orgon is telling Tartuffe like this? Is Orgon unwilling to accept his misjudgment of Tartuffe, or is he foolish? Is Orgon also hypocritical?

Note: Earlier in the play, Dorine tells Cleante about Orgon's reasons for taking Tartuffe to his house: "He's made him [ Tartuffe] his confessor and his guide;/ He pets and pampers him with love more tender/Than any pretty mistress could engender,/ Gives him the place of honor when they dine" (Act 1. scene 2. lines 18-21,.ote: Earlier in the play, Dorine tells Cleante about Orgon's reasons for taking Tartuffe to his house: "He's made him [ Tartuffe] his confessor and his guide;/ He pets and pampers him with love more tender/Than any pretty mistress could engender,/ Gives him the place of honor when they dine" (Act 1. scene 2. lines 18-21,.

Discussion Question #3 for Moliere's Tartuffe (Act 4, Scene 5 to the end of Act 5), pp. 56-69

3. Why was Orgon worried about keeping Argas's secret box (which is full of secret papers that belong to his friend Argas, who was disloyal to the king and fled the country) in his house? What does Orgon care about? How did Tartuffe "help" Orgon with the secret box? Do you think Moliere also makes fun of Orgon in the play? Is Orgon blameless for all the troubles he has caused to his family members? Orgon tells Cleante about Tartuffe: "I'm through with pious men./ Henceforth I'll hate the whole false brotherhood" (5.1.32-3, ). What does Cleante think of Orgon's way of thinking and reasoning here? What does Cleante criticize about Orgon?

Note on King's intervention for Orgon at the end of the play

Moliere uses a dramatic intervention (dramatic device of a deus ex machina- God from the machine) to resolve the problem/to save Orgon in the play. The King's intervention (a deus ex machina- God from the machine) for Orgon at the end of the play reflects a comedic solution to the problem--a dramatic device used during the 17th and 18th centuries. During that time, Moliere himself played Orgon and performed the play in front of the King, who was a secret sponsor of his play. Moliere depicts the King (Louis IX) as a savior and a moral corrective to vice represented by Tartuffe. (*I will leave it up to you on how you interpret the ending part of the play: whether or not Moliere genuinely views the King as a divine being who restores justice.)

Please provide your in-depth interpretation and analysis on the questions (at least 100 words per Discussion question #1, #2, and #3). Please try to include textual evidence (direct quotes along with the Act and Scene #) in your answer.

When you need to summarize the plot, please do not copy words/sentences from the text. You should briefly summarize/paraphrase the plot in your own words.