Cléante delivers a sophisticated argument to his brother-in-law Orgon, distinguishing between genuine religious piety and the performative hypocrisy of Tartuffe. He warns that those who use faith as a weapon for personal gain are the most dangerous members of society.
CLÉANTE: I have merely the science of discerning truth from falsehood. And as I know nothing in the world so noble and so beautiful as the holy fervour of genuine piety, so there is nothing, I think, so odious as the whitewashed outside of a specious zeal; as those downright imposters, those bigots
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from Tartuffe
Act IV, Scene 5 — The Seduction of Elmire
from Tartuffe
Elmire attempts to expose Tartuffe's hypocrisy by baiting him into making a romantic advance while her husband, Orgon, hides nearby. Tartuffe reveals his true nature by justifying his lust through twisted religious logic.
Act III, Scene 3 — Tartuffe's Seduction of Elmire
from Tartuffe
The hypocritical religious fraud Tartuffe attempts to seduce Elmire, the wife of his benefactor. He uses twisted theological logic to justify his lustful advances, claiming that his attraction to her beauty is actually a form of worship toward the Creator.
Valère and Mariane's Lovers' Quarrel
from Tartuffe
Valère and Mariane engage in a stubborn and prideful argument after hearing that Mariane's father intends for her to marry the hypocrite Tartuffe. Their maid, Dorine, must intervene to stop their mutual posturing and force them to reconcile so they can plot to stop the wedding. The scene highlights the comedic absurdity of young love and the necessity of practical action over emotional drama.
Cléante's Defense of True Piety
from Tartuffe
Cléante attempts to reason with his brother-in-law Orgon regarding the obvious hypocrisy of the religious charlatan Tartuffe. While Orgon remains stubbornly blinded by his devotion, Cléante delivers a passionate defense of true piety versus the performative sanctimony of frauds.
Similar Scenes
Act I, Scene 2 — Teaching the Foreigner
from The Foreigner
Ellard, a young man often underestimated by his family, attempts to teach Charlie, whom he believes speaks no English, the names of basic kitchen utensils. Through slow, exaggerated demonstrations and patience, Ellard experiences a rare moment of confidence as a teacher.
Act I, Scene 1 — Helena's Soliloquy
from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Helena laments the unrequited nature of her love for Demetrius and his obsession with Hermia. She reflects on the irrationality of love before deciding to betray Hermia's secret flight to Demetrius in hopes of gaining his attention.
Act I, Scene 1 — Leslie's Introduction
from Parks and Recreation
Leslie Knope introduces herself and her deep-seated passion for the American political system. Despite her grand ambitions and love for the 'majesty' of government, she is revealed to be working in a cramped office in Pawnee, Indiana.
The Thanksgiving Pageant Monologue
from Addams Family Values
During a forced Thanksgiving pageant at summer camp, Wednesday Addams goes off-script to deliver a scathing indictment of colonialism before leading a revolt. She contrasts the future suffering of indigenous people with the mundane luxuries of the pilgrims.