Comedy Litterature/ Moliere's Tartuffe - Essay Example

The Satire of Moliere’s Tartuffe Moliere’s Tartuffe is definitely a satire. According to the Free Online Dictionary (2011, para 1), satire is ‘a literary work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.’ In Moliere’s play puts emphasis on the theme of religious insincerity. Hence, due to Tartuffe’s sardonic character, the play was banned by religious supporters from public performance. Although Tartuffe is the clear villain and charlatan who embody those people who advocate religious devoutness but they themselves refuse to put into practice, Orgon has the intricate role through whom this pious insincerity is directed.

One of the best manifestations of satire in the play is the dialogue between Tartuffe and Orgon (Wise & Walker 2003, 455):Tartuffe: “Yes, brother, I’m a wicked man, I fear:A wretched sinner, all depraved and twisted,The greatest villain that has ever existed.Believe what you are told, and drive Tartuffe Like some base criminal from beneath your roof;Yes, drive me hence, and with a parting curse:I shan’t protest, for I deserve far worse.”Orgon: “Ah, you deceitful boy, how dare you tryTo stain his purity with so foul a lie?

” Paradoxically, Tartuffe in the above dialogue in fact truthfully expresses his idea; however, this truth is merely to deceive Oregon. It appears that Orgon is the kind of person who cannot take part effectively in society anymore and who afterwards withdraws from the grips of social norm and assaults it. Tartuffe, as a satirical comedy, is an ultimate success, of trick, creation, and wit, a realm where not merely does the author escape with unusual verses but they ignite humor and gusts of mirth.

ReferencesThe Free Dictionary (accessed 07, July 2011): http://www.thefreedictionary.com/satireWise, J. & C. Walker. The Broadview Anthology of Drama: From antiquity through the eighteenth century. The University of California: Broadview Press, 2003.