A minor character contributes heavily to a play, particularly by revealing information or giving additional insight into the major characters. Tartuffe, by Molière, is a French satire which is over exaggerated and critical towards the upper class and ridicules hypocrisy. Molière’s unique choice of using a stock character to contribute to the technical development of the work aids in the explanation of the minor characters role in the play. Dorine holds the role of the Zanni, the servant who provides comedic relief. Dorine being a servant is given a lot of voice and her role in Tartuffe is very important. The Zanni is one of the most rational and intelligent characters in the play. Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, she never hesitates to speak
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When Orgon tells Marianne that she has to marry Tartuffe, Dorine steps in and stands up for Marianne. Rising to Orgon’s level of power Dorine speaks up and even cuts Orgon off. For example, when Orgon says, “I tell you…” (Molière II, I) Dorine cuts him off by saying, “no; you may say what you like, nobody will believe you” (Molière II, I) Through the use of stichomythia, a rapid exchange of dialogue, Dorine interjects Orgon as if he has to listen to her authority although Orgon is the head of the house. This affects the perception of her character and conveys the character foil between Orgon and Dorine. Dorine’s power to rudely interrupt Orgon conveys how significant her character is even though she is a servant. Meanwhile, during the same conversation Dorine is having with Orgon about Marianne unwillingly having to marry Tartuffe, she says to Orgon, “why with all your wealth, go and choose a beggar for your son-in-law” (Molière II, I). Through dialogue and characterization, Dorine shows the true nature of Tartuffe. She classifies him as a “beggar”; a beggar during the 17th century was a person out in the streets with no home and no money. Dorine was successful in revealing the truth about Tartuffe because she sees through Tartuffe’s deception. Finally, Dorine manages to stand on the same level as Orgon when it comes to dialogue and expressing an opinion and with that, she is able to uncover the truth about
When Orgon tells Marianne that she has to marry Tartuffe, Dorine steps in and stands up for Marianne. Rising to Orgon’s level of power Dorine speaks up and even cuts Orgon off. For example, when Orgon says, “I tell you…” (Molière II, I) Dorine cuts him off by saying, “no; you may say what you like, nobody will believe you” (Molière II, I) Through the use of stichomythia, a rapid exchange of dialogue, Dorine interjects Orgon as if he has to listen to her authority although Orgon is the head of the house. This affects the perception of her character and conveys the character foil between Orgon and Dorine. Dorine’s power to rudely interrupt Orgon conveys how significant her character is even though she is a servant. Meanwhile, during the same conversation Dorine is having with Orgon about Marianne unwillingly having to marry Tartuffe, she says to Orgon, “why with all your wealth, go and choose a beggar for your son-in-law” (Molière II, I). Through dialogue and characterization, Dorine shows the true nature of Tartuffe. She classifies him as a “beggar”; a beggar during the 17th century was a person out in the streets with no home and no money. Dorine was successful in revealing the truth about Tartuffe because she sees through Tartuffe’s deception. Finally, Dorine manages to stand on the same level as Orgon when it comes to dialogue and expressing an opinion and with that, she is able to uncover the truth about