Ignorance And Blindness In Shakespeare's 'Tartuffe'

Register to read the introduction… Tartuffe creates around himself an appearance of religious devotion, fact that attracts Orgon on his side: “He used to come into our church each day/ And humbly kneel nearby and start to pray […] He’d sigh and weep, and sometimes with a sound/ Of rapture he would bend and kiss the ground” (Moliere 32). Tartuffe is trying to gain Orgon’s benevolence by doing acts meant to impress: “When I rose to go, he’d run before/ To offer me holy-water at the door […] I gave him gifts, but in his humbleness/ He’d beg me every time to give him less” (Moliere 32). Tartuffe also gains Madame Pernelle’s sympathy: “He’s a fine man, and should be listened to./ I will not hear him mocked by fools like you” (Moliere …show more content…
In fact he tries to gain total control over Orgon’s intimate life and promises Elmire “Love without scandal, pleasure without fear” (Moliere 58).
Orgon pictures a different type of leader. He is the head of the family, controlling the life of his children by deciding to break off Mariane and Valere’s engagement and force her to marry Tartuffe: “Because I am resolved it shall be true/ That it’s my wish should be enough for you” (Moliere 37). He can also decide upon his son’s economic status by disinheriting him whenever he steps out of his word: “I disinherit you; an empty purse/ Is all you’ll get from me – except my curse” (Moliere 62).
Orgon is the type of man that is easily impressed because he does not have a strong personality. Once Tartuffe gains his trust, Orgon seems to be willing to act under hypocrite’s guidance: “Under his tutelage my soul’s been freed/ From earthly loves, and every human tie;/ My mother, children, brother, and my wife could die,/ And I’d not feel a single moment’s pain” (Moliere