In Moliere’s comedy Tartuffe, we are introduced to the family of Orgon. Orgon
is a wealthy man with a beautiful daughter named Mariane. Valere is a man in
love with Mariane but the hypocrite Tartuffe gets in the way through
manipulation. Throughout the play Orgon is totally dedicated and won over by
Tartuffe who adds to the comedy of it all. Throughout, Tartuffe continues to be
obviously villainous and yet Orgon continues to trust him with his most precious
possessions. Also comical is the fact that Mariane and Valere are in love but
this continues to be foiled by Tartuffe’s greed and Orgon’s stupidity. In
the end, Orgon finally discovers that Tartuffe is a fraud but not before he
signs all he owns over to him. The comic devices in this story are evident
throughout. First, many of the scenes in the play are comical just in the
storyline. In scene four Orgon has a conversation with Dorine about the day’s
events, Dorine tells Orgon of all the trials and tribulations of the day. With
each description, Orgon asks about Tartuffe, who is perfectly fine and
celebrated with each bad occurrence. Orgon seems to just ignore all the bad news
and only be concerned with Tartuffe’s well being. This scene becomes even more
comical with Dorine following up with a statement about telling Orgon’s wife
about his “keen concern.” This sarcasm adds to the comedy. The play really
becomes comical in scene one of the second act. It is here that Orgon actually
asks his daughter, Mariane to marry Tartuffe. Mariane thinks her father is
kidding and even Dorine feels it must be a hoax. Dorine even kids that Mariane
“deserves to be tartuffified.” Dorine however dead set against Tartuffe,
continues to work to get Mariane together with Valere against the wishes of
Orgon. The comedy continues as we are given an up close and personal view of
Tartuffe. In scene two of act three, Tartuffe speaks to Dorine. He actually
thinks that Dorine is attracted to him as he really shows his arrogance. It is
hysterical when Dorine states that “ if I saw you naked as a beast, Not all
your hide would temp me in the least.” But in the next scene, Tartuffe changes
his tune and pulls the wool over the eyes of Orgon’s wife. He acts genuinely
concerned about her health and well being. Then he professes love for Elmire.
Unbelievably, he convinces her through flattery not to tell Orgon. The comedy
lies in Tartuffe’s ability to fool everyone. However Elmire is not as easily
fooled as Orgon and his mother Madame Pernelle. The scenes continue to be
comical as in scene six of act three where Orgon’s son Damis, insults Tartuffe
and is thrown out of his own house. The stupidity of Orgon to trust Tartuffe
over his own family in unbelievable. Moliere takes the laughter a step further
by having Orgon go so far as to sign all his money over to Tartuffe. He says “
Poor fellow! Come, we’ll go draw up the deed. Then let them burst with
disappointed greed.” Orgon continues to be a fool until act four, scene seven
where he finally realizes the greed of Tartuffe and asks him to leave. He is
shocked to hear, “No, I am the master, and you’re the one to go! This house
belongs to me, I’ll have you know.” Orgon has been swindled and it is funny
to see how stupid he really was. The play ends when the tables are turned on
Tartuffe and he is arrested by order of the King who was on to Tartuffe’s
terrible ways. Damis reconciles with his father and the wedding of Mariane and
Valere is announced. The ending adds to the comic device first in that the
tables turn on Tartuffe just when you think he has gotten away with his crime.
It is also comical that Orgon just seems to shrug his misfortune away and goes
on with his normal routine. Moliere comic devices are not the only things that
carry this play. The characters add to the comedy in many ways. Orgon and his
mother Madame Pernelle are completely taken with Tartuffe. Orgon is truly a fool
who cannot see the obvious right in front of his face. Both he and his mother
are so foolish that you want to scream at them to open their eyes. His family
must go behind his back to show Tartuffe for the villain he really is. Tartuffe
himself is such an obvious crook that you laugh every time he opens his mouth.
His downfall is that Orgon’s family is on to him. The family of Orgon seem to
play the best parts. With Orgon demanding that everyone trust Tartuffe, the
family schemes to expose him. Dorine brings Mariane and Valere together and
convinces them to fight for their love. Damis tells his father exactly what he
thinks of Tartuffe despite the consequences. Orgon's wife Elmire even plots to
set a trap for Tartuffe exposing his villainous actions. Elmire is the one who
finally convinces Orgon to confront Tartuffe. In the end, Moliere keeps the
comedy in storyline fashion by ending it with Tartuffe being exposed and
punished. Moliere’s use of comic devices in Tartuffe make for a witty story
with very funny characters. As you read the play, you can’t help but laugh at
Orgon’s stupidity, Tartuffe’s arrogance and the family’s plots. In the
end, you are even satisfied with Tartuffe getting what he deserved. Perhaps
Moliere uses this comedy to show how it never pays to be bad or maybe he is
stressing to open your eyes to the world around you. Either way, his comedy is a
fun story that is loved by all who read it.