Tartuffe Study Guide
The Tartuffe study guide contains a biography of Moliere, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
The entire play is set in Orgon's house.
The play opens when Madame Pernelle decides to leave her son Orgon's house because she finds their behavior immoral and decadent. She sees her grandson Damis as a brat, and her granddaughter Mariane as too fragile. It is only the new houseguest, Tartuffe, who earns her approbation. Tartuffe has been invited to stay by the house's master Orgon, who is infatuated by Tartuffe's seeming piety. The rest of the family believes Tartuffe to be a fraud and a liar, but cannot convince Madame Pernelle to see him this way.
After Madame Pernelle departs, the servant Dorine and Orgon's brother-in-law Cleante discuss how they might convince Orgon that Tartuffe is manipulating him. Damis is concerned that, under…
Read the full Tartuffe Summary
- Tartuffe Summary
- About Tartuffe
- Character List
- Glossary of Terms
- Major Themes
- Quotes and Analysis
- Summary and Analysis of Act I
- Summary and Analysis of Act II
- Summary and Analysis of Act III
- Summary and Analysis of Act IV
- Summary and Analysis of Act V
- La Compagnie du Saint-Sacrement
- Related Links on Tartuffe
- Suggested Essay Questions
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
- Author of ClassicNote and Sources
Tartuffe Essays and Related Content
- Tartuffe: Major Themes
- Tartuffe: Questions
- Tartuffe: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
- Jean-Baptiste Moliere: Biography
Ways character types contribute to the comic and moral points the author makes
The play is populated with the dramatic convention of the stock characters: the hypocrite, the clever maid, the blustering young man, the foolish but tyrannical father, the naive young girl and so on. In what ways do these character types contribute to the comic and moral points the author makes?
