Tartuffe was a play written by Moliere. An eye opener yet comedy play that points the flaws of people and the society who had supremacies, as he used the visual jokes and other kinds of humors that reveals the absurdity of powerful people and in the society of France. It was censored by King Louis XIV due to possible damages that will caused to the religious sector but eventually upon the submission of the explanation of Moliere the play Tartuffe was performed. He didn’t directly make a play that offend the religious sectors because he could be arrested or worse yet excommunicated from the Catholic Church for defying the powerful religious hierarchy.
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The 17th century of French literature was a replication of new literature concept from impolite noble to a product of sophisticated writers with a religious and legal background. Moliere was a sophisticated and known writer that had legal background who studied law but pursued playwriting and acting.
Upon the transformation in 17th century, literature schools, noble support, social development of noble men, growth of ...
A man will only see what he wants to see. In "Tartuffe", by Moliere, we are introduced to Orgon, a man so blinded by his obsession with Tartuffe that he falls subject to his deception. Tartuffe pretends to be a devout, pious, and humble man, while in reality is a religious hypocrite. Throughout the play we are presented with many characters who try in vain to "open" Orgon's eyes to Tartuffe's lies. He refuses to accept the fact that Tartuffe is an imposter and is more of a hypocrite than a reverent man. "My mother, children, brother and wife could die, And I'd not feel a single moments pain...oh, had you'd seen Tartuffe as I first know him, your heart, like mine, would have surrendered to him". Orgon makes this completely irrational declaration regarding Tartuffe. This nonsensical statement proves just how deeply fixated he was with believing that Tartuffe was a righteous and honest individual. Only in the end does Orgon come to the realization that he's been fooled all along, and finally comes to accept the fact that Tartuffe is a lying, scheming fraud.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, with the development of capitalism, the power of the
“Tartuffe” is a famous satire from the 17th century, written by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière. Molière utilizes comedy in his work to demonstrate the hypocrisy sometimes found within religion. During the 17th century, anyone believed to be righteous was viewed as a role model. It was normal to believe the words and follow the rules of these leaders. Since religion was considered the center of the 17th century society, “Tartuffe” was originally banned from public viewing due to objections of church leaders who felt it was an attack on religion and people of faith. Molière uses Tartuffe, one of his main characters, to play the role of a man who manipulates others for personal gain by acting righteously; he is a symbol of religious hypocrisy. Orgon, the other main character, represents a man blinded by his devotion to his religious faith who then welcomes Tartuffe into his home and family. Everyone in the household, except Orgon’s mother, realizes Tartuffe is a religious imposter. They try to warn Orgon of Tartuffe’s false pretense; however, he is so deceived by Tartuffe that he refuses to listen
Molière’s play “Tartuffe and Oscar Wilde’s play “The Importance of Being Earnest” both demonstrate a comical portrait of hypocrisy. In “Tartuffe”, the main character Tartuffe is seen as a religious hypocrite who takes advantage of Orgon’s wealth and agrees to marry his daughter, Mariane against her wishes. In “The Importance of Being Earnest”, Jack and Algernon both lie about their identity to get the woman of their dreams. The authors use the concept of double personalities in the play to reveal the deceit and lies to represent the theme of hypocrisy. In fact, hypocrisy is not only displayed in the characters but in the play as a whole. Additionally, the plays are both hypocrital in ways that they do not follow the structure of comedy.
Jean-Baptitste Poquelin Moliere’s Tartuffe, is undoubtedly a satirical comedy. In Moliere’s description of a satire, he was very direct as to the function and objectives of one are. The function is to correct men’s vices, using satire to ridicule them and expose them to public laughter (Moliere, p.14). Although this satire is making fun of many things in the church and organized religion, which is not the only objective Moliere had in mind. Tartuffe has many themes that reoccur through out the play. The time period, in which this play was written, was known as the Age of Reason. One of the main ideas and attitudes during this time was, reason must always control passion. Due to this attitude, one theme that constantly appears through the play, is the battle between reason and passion.
In Moliere's comedy, Tartuffe, the main focus of the play is not of Tartuffe, but of Orgon's blind infatuation with Tartuffe. It just so happens that the title character is the villain rather than the hero. Orgon is Moliere's representation of how a man can be so blind in his devotion to a belief that he cannot make accurate judgment as to the sincerity of others who would use that belief to deceive him. Tartuffe easily achieves total power over Orgon's actions because of his gullibility. However, as the play progresses, Orgon's view of Tartuffe changes and results in Tartuffes removal.
The play Tartuffe is a comedy written by French playwright Moliere. Most of his plays were meant to critique common behaviors he saw in his society. In Tartuffe, he is criticizing those people who pretend to be very pious and religious, when in fact, they are simply pretending devotion to God to further their own personal desires.
Who was the most important writer of France in the nineteenth century? Who was the leader of the Romantic Movement, a playwright, a poet, and the author of novels among the most incredible in existence, such as Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame? None other than Victor Hugo, who was also a political thinker, a painter and an architect. When asked whom Victor Hugo is, most people would probably ask, “Who’s that?” or respond by saying, “A dude who wrote books.” It is quite unfortunate that one of the most talented authors has become so lost in our modern world. Perhaps awareness can be spread and the ideas in his works can be considered by our modern society.
Literature between the Restoration and the Romantic period alters primarily because of changes in society, culture, and government in England. In the Restoration period, approximately between 1660-1700 A.D., after the previously unseated Stuart family returned from exile in France to rule Britain, new leaders struggled to establish a stable social and political norm. The general feeling of the people was dislike of this change, and thus this conservatism was a recurring theme in the writing of this time, as well as the decomposition of the old cultural order and people’s personal opinions towards a new idea of order and understanding of the world. The late 18th and early 19th century was known as the Romantic age, and was influenced by both the American and French revolutions, which instilled a new revolutionary mindset, and then further by the Industrial Revolution, about which authors spoke of liberal and radical reforms. Romanticism writers sought to liberate themselves from the restrictions and standards of the 18th century through expressing freedom to further explore imagination. The historical events influencing European authors differed, but the changes helped the authors change mindsets and allowed them to slowly become more free in their thinking and writing. Although the Restoration and Romantic periods were historically not very far apart, the changes in the writing style, form, and theme were greatly influenced by the time’s social status quo, culture, and authoritative style of the government.
People were taught to understand and judge the writings of others. Courtiers, aristocrats and nobles were able to write poetry and text. By being well educated, having good penmanship, knowing how to ride, play, dance, sing, and dress well, men of high status gained respect and reputation. These skills also helped attain preference and support among princes. Nevertheless, the school system did not teach youth how to behave in daily life situations. They spent too much time on Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic. Those studies that were realistic, enlightened men's minds, and prepared them for life, were reserved for the Universities. Therefore, students had a slight understanding of the meaning and the true use of knowledge. They were only able to write Latin, which no one of judgement would want to read, and when they went to universities, they wasted their friends' money and their own time. Afterwards, they would return home again, as unsophisticated and uneducated as they were before.
The eighteenth century saw unprecedented growth of literature and the arts in Europe and America. Britain during this time period also enjoyed prolonged periods of civil peace that stood in sharp contrast to the bloody and protracted civil and international conflicts that lasted throughout the 17th century. Furthermore, as the rising middle classes increasingly sought both education and leisure entertainment, the marketplace for artistic production swelled dramatically. One of the most critical elements of the 18th century was the increasing availability of printed material, both for readers and authors. The period was markedly more generally educated than the centuries before. Education was less confined to the upper classes than it had been in centuries, and consequently contributions to science, philosophy, economics, and literature came from all parts of the newly United Kingdom. It was the first time when literacy and a library were all that stood between a person and education.
There are several other major writers and works that helped contribute to the literary expression during the Age of Reason. There was Montesquieu, who wrote wittingly about social critisism in Persian Letters (1721). The well-known satirical novel Gil Blas (1715-1735) written by Alain René Lesage.
He focuses on exposing of the hypocrisy of Tartuffe throughout the story. Orgon has taken Tartuffe in his house, and given him food and shelter. In the family, everyone believes that Tartuffe is a hypocrite and fraud, expected Orgon and his mother; Tartuffe isn’t getting any respect from the other characters, Orgon is wealthy and powerful man, he trusts Tartuffe as holy and righteous man and listens to anything he says in which Orgon looks like fool. He does not even realize that Tartuffe takes advantage of him and manipulates his behavior. The character of Tartuffe contains most essential trait of hypocrisy. Moliere depicts his hypocritical behavior and vice in an exaggerative way, it is effective to criticize and uncover the religious hypocrisy in the society through description of the character
The English Renaissance period began in the late 15th century and ended in the 17th century. During the Renaissance period, the England experienced many changes. These changes were brought by the new discoveries and inventions. Many characteristics were introduced to the country during the Renaissance period. The Renaissance study revolves around five important issues. These issues are essential continuities from previous events, certain important political changes that took place during that time, ideas brought with the characteristic of humanism, significant ideas related to the creation of literary works, and finally, the religious movement known as the Protestant Reformation which influenced daily life and literature. Notable changes were in fields related to art, architecture, literature, science, and philosophy. This period have brought a great economic growth to the country than another preceded periods. Moreover, that period have experienced an increase in literature and specifically drama. The drama of this period encounters several shiftings in different aspects. The two m...