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.
CLÉANTE: People like you always say things like that. They want everyone to be as blind as they are. They think that seeing clearly is impiety, that those who refuse to worship false idols have no respect for true faith and true religion.
ORGON: Oh yes, without a doubt you’re a revered professor who
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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.
Tartuffe's Seduction Attempt
from Tartuffe
Elmire attempts to confront the hypocritical holy man Tartuffe about her husband's plan to marry him to her step-daughter. However, Tartuffe uses the private meeting to drop his pious facade and aggressively pursue Elmire, attempting to seduce her with a sophisticated argument that his lust is merely an appreciation of God's handiwork.
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