Tartuffe Moliere's Tartuffe is from 17th century France, during the Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was the ruler of France at this time. People in Paris were interested in Enlightenment values such as rationality, moderation, and order. Also, social graces, good manners, and gender roles were strictly enforced during this period. Moliere demonstrates all of these Enlightenment values in his play. The difference between true religious piety and religious hypocrisy is, of course, the main theme of Tartuffe. Morality was also considered to be important during the Enlightenment. Moliere created the character Tartuffe, who lacks morality. Moreover, Enlightenment thinkers believed that reason was the highest expression of the divine. Moliere's play does not reject religion, because religion played an important role in Enlightenment France. Instead, Moliere created the character of Cleante, who demonstrates both reason and religion. Cleante sees Tartuffe for who he really is and tries to warn his brother of Tartuffe's treachery. Cleante also advises against hating Tartuffe and the Church once the villain is exposed because hatred is not a rational response. Throughout Tartuffe, Cleante remains the levelheaded, reasonable, and wise voice of reason and thus he is a true Enlightenment man.

If Cleante represents reason in Tartuffe, then Orgon is the opposite of reason. Although he conforms to society's conventions and he accepts...

He also fails to perceive that Tartuff is tricking them and thus is not thinking as rationally as Cleante is. In Act I, scene 6, Cleante accuses his brother of being unable to distinguish "hypocrisy and genuine devoutness." He tells Orgon that his love of Tartuffe is "nonsense," and attempts to enlighten him about Tartuffe's true nature. Yet Cleante knows that his brother's mind is clouded by his emotions. Trying to talk sense into his brother, Cleante is the voice of reason which goes unheard. Orgon believes so intensely in Tartuffe's piety and goodness that he is willing to sacrifice the happiness of his daughter. In Act I, scene 6, Orgon acknowledges Cleante's wisdom, but still fails to heed his brother's warnings about Tartuffe.
Cleante is the voice of reason also because he promotes moderation and balance throughout the play. Unfortunately, his pleas fall on deaf ears. He tells Orgon that people often "spoil the noblest things, because they go too far, and push them to extremes." Here, Cleante warns against extreme behavior or emotions. In Act 5, scene 2, Cleante tells both Orgon and Damis to "calm down, and moderate your towering tantrums." In this scene, Cleante also mentions the Sun King, who was believed to be the ultimate voice of God and Reason during the Enlightenment. When he lectures Tartuffe in Act IV, scene 1, Cleante tells him not to "push matters to extremities." Remarkably,…