Tartuffe
A farce about a hypocrite who feigns religious devotion.
The characters of Tartuffe, Elmire, and Orgon are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles. The play was suppressed by King Louis XIV after its 1664 performance at Versailles, likely under the influence of the archbishop of Paris, Hardouin de Péréfixe de Beaumont (often referred to as Hardouin de Péréfixe).
- type
- Play
- author
- Molière
- language
- French
- form
- Comedy (farce) in twelve-syllable lines (alexandrines) of rhyming couplets
- known_for
- Introducing the word 'tartuffe' to designate a hypocrite who feigns virtue, especially religious virtue
Lore & Background
Almost immediately after its 1664 Versailles performance, King Louis XIV suppressed it, probably under the influence of the archbishop of Paris. The official account stated that while the play was found extremely diverting, the king recognized conformity between those led by true devotion and those whose vain ostentation of good works does not prevent bad ones, and forbade it in public to prevent abuse by those less capable of discernment. As a result, contemporary French and English use 'tartuffe' to mean a hypocrite who ostensibly feigns virtue, especially religious virtue. The plot involves Orgon and his mother falling under the influence of Tartuffe, a fraud and vagrant. Tartuffe manipulates Orgon by aping devotion. Orgon plans to marry his daughter Mariane to Tartuffe, causing family conflict. Through eavesdropping and a seduction scene, Orgon discovers Tartuffe's hypocrisy. Tartuffe threatens to expose Orgon's treasonous letters, but the King intervenes, arresting Tartuffe for his criminal history and forgiving Orgon. The surprise ending is considered a notable example of deus ex machina. Controversy erupted immediately. In 1667, the archbishop of Paris issued a decree forbidding the performance, reading, or representation of the play under pain of excommunication; this decree did not retroactively apply to watching a performance that had already occurred, but only forbade future participation. The following day, the king issued an official ban on public performances, with Guillaume de Lamoignon, First President of the Paris Parlement, involved in the suppression. Louis XIV continued to support Molière, possibly preventing excommunication.
Reader's Guide
Tartuffe's significance lies in its enduring impact on language and theatre. The play coined the term 'tartuffe' as a label for a religious hypocrite, a word still used in French and English. Its controversy highlights tensions between art, religion, and state power in 17th-century France. The play was suppressed by King Louis XIV under pressure from the archbishop of Paris, leading to a ban that lasted five years. Molière's conflict with the Catholic Church and the Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement demonstrates the risks of satirizing piety.
Did You Know?
- The word 'tartuffe' entered French and English to mean a hypocrite who feigns virtue, especially religious virtue.
- The archbishop of Paris issued a decree in 1667 forbidding the performance, reading, or representation of the play under pain of excommunication; this did not retroactively apply to watching a performance that had alread
- The surprise ending, in which the King arrests Tartuffe and forgives Orgon, is considered a notable example of deus ex machina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tartuffe about?
It is a comedic farce in which a man named Tartuffe infiltrates a household by pretending to be deeply pious, only to reveal his true predatory nature when he schemes to steal the family's home and seduce the wife.
Who wrote Tartuffe and in what form?
Molière composed the play in French, structuring it as a comedy written in rhyming twelve-syllable couplets called alexandrines.
Why was Tartuffe banned by the French crown?
Following a 1664 performance at Versailles, King Louis XIV ordered the play suppressed, most likely at the prompting of the archbishop of Paris, Hardouin de Péréfixe de Beaumont, who felt the work mocked sincere religious devotion.
What lasting impact did Tartuffe have on the French language?
The character's name became a common noun in French, used to label anyone who fakes moral or religious virtue in order to manipulate others.
Why are the roles in Tartuffe considered so significant in theatre history?
The parts of Tartuffe, Elmire, and Orgon are widely regarded as among the most demanding and celebrated roles in classical French drama, and they remain benchmark performances for actors to this day.
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