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.
ELMIRE: Thank you for those pious wishes. Now, let’s sit down and be a bit more comfortable.
TARTUFFE: Are you feeling somewhat better after your illness?
ELMIRE: Much better; the fever has broken.
TARTUFFE: My own prayers do not have enough merit to attract Heaven’s mercy, but I have not ceased praying for your return to health.
ELMIRE: Such zeal was…
Format: Duologue · Genre: Comedy · Source: Tartuffe · Author: Molière · Characters: Elmire, Tartuffe
This duologue, "Tartuffe's Seduction Attempt," is a pivotal and highly charged encounter between Elmire and Tartuffe from Molière's classic comedy, Tartuffe. The scene showcases a tense power struggle under the guise of politeness, as Elmire attempts to address a pressing family matter, while Tartuffe, dropping his pious facade, aggressively attempts to seduce her. It's a masterclass in dramatic irony and escalating tension, revealing the true nature of Tartuffe's hypocrisy through his manipulative rhetoric and physical advances.
Elmire, a woman in her 20s-40s, possesses sharp wit and a clear understanding of Tartuffe's true character, though she must navigate his advances with caution and intelligence. She is sophisticated and attempts to maintain control of the conversation, using irony and subtle rebuffs to parry his increasingly bold actions. Tartuffe, in his 30s-50s, is a complex villain who skillfully blends religious rhetoric with thinly veiled lust and a manipulative charm, showcasing a leading man's confidence and a character actor's duplicity. His internal conflict between maintaining his religious image and succumbing to his desires fuels the scene's dramatic tension.
This scene is ideal for auditions because it offers rich opportunities for both actors to display a wide range of emotions and classical acting techniques. The shifting power dynamics and verbal fencing require precise comedic timing and a strong command of subtext. The palpable tension and ultimate irony allow actors to demonstrate their ability to build a scene incrementally, from initial pleasantries to high-stakes conflict, making it a compelling choice for showcasing nuanced character work.
This scene is particularly well-suited for actors aiming for drama school auditions, agents' showcases, and general practice sessions. It's an excellent choice for those looking to embody sophisticated, intense characters, whether playing a leading lady who navigates difficult situations with grace or a villain who masterfully manipulates his environment. The classical text also provides a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate vocal clarity, physical precision, and an understanding of period style.
Actors should focus on the underlying intentions and subtext of each line, understanding that much of the scene's humor and tension comes from what is left unsaid. For Elmire, maintaining a veneer of composure while subtly reacting to Tartuffe's transgressions is key, using her wit as a shield. For Tartuffe, the challenge lies in seamlessly transitioning between feigned piety and outright predatory behavior, ensuring his arguments sound plausibly persuasive within their manipulative context, allowing the audience to see his true, villainous colors beneath the façade. Physicality, particularly in Tartuffe's escalating advances and Elmire's attempts to evade them, will significantly enhance the scene's impact.