Tartuffe Explication

In the first two acts of Tartuffe, Orgon is fooled into believing the Tartuffe is a religious and honest man. Although Orgon is very gullible, the other family members in the house are not so easily fooled. Through Tartuffe’s actions the others are able to see his true nature. The trickery continues through to the third act where Damis brings some of Tartuffe’s actions to the attention of Orgon. The conversation that follows between Tartuffe, Orgon, and Damis reveals a lot about the true nature of their characters.

The conversation begins with Orgon speaking to Tartuffe:

Can it be true, this dreadful thing I hear?

Yes, Brother, I’m a wicked man, I fear:

A wretched sinner, all depraved and twisted,

The greatest villain that has ever existed. (3.6.1-4)

In the opening Orgon asks Tartuffe if the accusations are true. Tartuffe replies, “Yes, Brother” By doing this Tartuffe is playing into the relationship that he and Orgon had formed. In the next line he states the he is a “wretched sinner” which goes against the thought that he was a pure, religious man. Tartuffe makes himself out to be everything opposite of what he was originally believed to be. This is exploiting Orgon’s gullibility because by being so extreme and straightforward in his confession, Orgon refuses to accept it.

In the next few lines Tartuffe continues his confession, going beyond just the conflict at hand:

My life’s one heap of crimes, which grows with each minute

There’s naught but foulness and corruption in it;

And I perceive that Heaven, outraged by me,

Has chosen this occasion to mortify me. (3.6.5-8)

In these lines Tartuffe goes beyond just the conflict at hand, admitting that his entire life is “one heap of crimes.” This entire passage has reference to him being criminal in his actions through the use of “foulness,” “corruptions,” and he even uses “crime” in the first line. Next he goes back to the religious connotations when he says, “Heaven, outraged by me, Has chosen this occasion to mortify me.” The use of mortify suggests that he is ashamed of what he had done. This is used to gain sympathy from Orgon.

Next Tartuffe begins to step up and accept the blame that is being put on him:

Charge me with any deed you wish to name;

I’ll not defend myself, but take the blame,

Believe what you are told, and drive Tartuffe

Like some base criminal from beneath your roof;

Yes, drive me hence, and with a parting