Tartuffe Moliere's Tartuffe Is From 17th Century

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 rigid rules of behavior, Orgon is extremely emotional throughout the play.

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, Cleante complements Tartuffe on his emotional moderation in Act V, scene 7. Tartuffe, although he is a hypocrite, doesn't react when Orgon loses his temper.

Moderation is a sign of a reasonable person, and Cleante attempts to make the other characters in the play aware of their excessive emotions. As the best judge of character in Tartuffe, Cleante is able to see through the evil Tartuffe. Yes even with his frustrated attempts to lead his brother to the truth, Cleante does not lose his temper. He keeps his emotions in check, remaining true to his Enlightenment ideals. Orgon tells Cleante in Act I, scene 6 that he is "The oracle, the Cato, of our age.

All men, compared to you, are downright fools." Orgon's mentioning of Cato shows that Moliere's work is a true Enlightenment play, as many works of art and literature of the time alluded to Greek and Roman classics. Unfortunately, Orgon does not listen to his own words in this scene and continues to feel love for Tartuffe. Indeed, he is one of the "downright fools" he mentions. Cleante warns Orgon that he is "deceived...by false pretenses," but his brother doesn't listen.

Cleante's rationality is most noticeable towards the end of the play. When Orgon discovers Tartuffe's sexual advances on his wife, he explodes with anger. Cleante, instead of joining Orgon in his hatred for Tartuffe, scolds his brother for flying "off the handle," (V, 1). He tells Orgon that he is jumping "first to one extreme, and then the other," and asks him to "keep...the golden mean." In act V, scene 3, Cleante suggests to the others that they are "wasting time" on their emotional reactions.