Comparison Tartuffe and The Cherry Orchard - Term Paper Example

This paper will throw light on the acts of attempted adultery in marriage in Moliere’s “Tartuffe and the elements of classical comedy in Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard;” for better or worse, humour keeps the momentum of life going in both the plays. Attempted adultery in Tartuffe: An important part of this drama relates to the dubious nature of Orgon. He is a superficial, pious Christian, who dons cross on the neck, but not Christ in the heart. The best introduction of goings on in his inner world is depicted in Scene 2 of Act III, thus: “Please hone my hair shirt; work it ‘til it’s rough.

Re-thorn the scourge; it’s not severe enough. I’ve coins to share with beggars that I meet; Please pray for me while I traverse the street.”(46) The above statement for eulogizing Dorine, indicates Tartuffe’s hypocritical disposition. His dubious religious convictions are highlighted through the metaphor of his hair-shirt, donned only for outward show and have no impact on the surface. He makes use of religion for his benefit, the objective being deception. Fascinated by the assertions of Tartuffe, Orgon is not willing to believe his own flesh and blood when he informs him of the scheming Tartuffe’s ’disposition towards ia Hi Elmire. . hus in Tartuffe, Moliere elucidates a marital conflict into the play to enable him to explore issue that goes with some of the marriages like adultery and the role of women in the society etc.

Recollection of the past events in The Cherry Orchard Recollection of the past events is not always pleasant. An individual wishes to forget certain uncomfortable memories of the past. The reverse of this assertion is also true. Sometimes the present life is so bothersome, one wishes to take refuge in the happiness experienced in the past. The condition of Ranevsky, one of the important characters in “The Cherry Orchard,” is more or less like this. She craves to remember the past and wishes to shut the present from her life.

But the memories are so strong, tragic and brutal that it is hard to forget them. The conflict between Gayev and Ranevsky and Lopakhin and Trofimov are to be judged as the diametrically opposed approach to old feudal orders (in Russia) and western values. The author tries to prove that Russia’s historical legacy is oppressive one that needs to be abandoned in favor of western ideas of Marxism and Darwinism. “The Cherry Orchard,” is a comedy. It has four acts. This comedy version is different from the ordinary meaning of the comedy and it has special connotation.

It is a comedy in the classical and modern senses. It is a literary work that shows the transition of the society. Deep into the debt the good Samaritans Mrs. Ranevsky and her brother Gayev, face the prospectus of their property being sold and Mrs. Ranevsky cries in anguish, “It is all white, all white! Oh, my cherry orchard! After the dark and stormy autumn and the frosts of winter, you're young again and full of happiness!"(12) The property is, however, auctioned and the one who buys it