The Playwrite Moliere and Moderation in the Neoclassical Age

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One of the main themes of the neoclassical age was moderation. Order, control, and reason were necessities of this period. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin 'pen' named Moliere was a well-seasoned, French playwriter of comedies that entertained and taught the same. One of Moliere's notable works, Tartuffe, carried his theme Commedia dell Arte and left lessons on the stage. Moliere uses the tale of Tartuffe to explore the hypocrisy in the church and in individuals spreading false hope. Selfish and decietful motives bring the title character to his well-deserved hubris. In aiming and striking the pride of the church, Moliere's pleasurable masterpiece was banned from stage between 1664-1669. This work being enjoyed by the king and later deemed suitable, returned to theater to educated the masses on religious hypocrisy alongside blind passion.

As we begin to take a closer look into the role this main antagonist takes on, we notice a fantasized sense of religion and the self-appointed priesthood. Tartuffe's presense in the home is so upseting to the family, it is extreme to see how pleased Orgo...

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