s the latest thing always the best? On the whole,
our society assumes that progress is likely and
desirable. We move and communicate ever
faster; we pursue the newest and shiniest things-
our appetite for the modern knows no bounds. Yet
we also indulge in moments of nostalgia, worrying
that things are no longer what they used to be, that
something has been lost in our tremendous rush.
Before, we tell ourselves, there were standards; now
all is confusion. Although the pace of change is
now swifter, this ambivalence is nothing new.
The quarrel between "ancients" and "moderns"-
those who believed, respectively, that old ideas or
new ones were likely to prove superior to any
alternatives-proved especially virulent in France
and England during the late seventeenth and eigh-
teenth centuries. Those who espoused the cause of
the ancients feared-understandably-that the new
commitment to individualism promoted by the mod-
erns might lead to social alienation, unscrupulous
self-seeking, and lack of moral responsibility. Believ-
ing in the universality of truth, they wished to
uphold established values, not to invent new ones.
On the other side, the moderns upheld the impor-
tance of individual autonomy, broad education for
A Philosopher Giving a Lecture in the Orrery, 1766, by
Joseph Wright of Derby.
341
THE ENLIGHTENMENT IN EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS
This engraving by J. Zucchi, a copy of a
painting by Angelica Kauffmann, depicts
Urania, the classical muse of astronomy.
women, and intellectual and geograph-
ical exploration. They stood for the
new and are the recognizable forebears
of what we even now call "modernity."
On both sides of the ancient/mod-
ern divide, thinkers believed in reason.
as a dependable guide. Both sides
insisted that one should not take any
assertion of truth on faith, blindly fol-
lowing the authority of others; instead,
one should think skeptically about
causes and effects, subjecting all truth-
claims to logic and rational inquiry.
Dr. Johnson's famous Dictionary
defined reason as "the power by which
man deduces one proposition from
another, or proceeds from premises to
consequences. By this definition, illu-
mination occurs not by divine inspira-
tion or by order of kings but by the
reasoning powers of the ordinary
human mind. Reason, some people
argued, would lead human beings back
to eternal truths. For others, reason.
provided a means for discovering fresh
solutions to scientific, philosophical,
and political questions.
In the realm of philosophy, thinkers
turned their attention to defining what it
meant to be human. "I think, therefore I
am," René Descartes pronounced, de-
claring the mind the source of truth and
meaning. But this idea proved less reas-
suring than it initially seemed. Subse
quent philosophers, exploring the
concept's implications, realized the pos
sibility of the mind's isolation in its own
constructions. Perhaps, Wilhelm Leib
niz suggested, no real communication
can take place between one consciousness
and another. Possibly, according to
David Hume, the idea of individual
identity is a fiction constructed by our
minds to make discontinuous experi-
ences and memories seem continuous
and whole. Philosophers pointed out the
impossibility of knowing for sure even
the reality of the external world: the only
certainty is that we think it exists.
If contemplating the nature of
human reason led philosophic skeptics
to doubt our ability to know anything
with certainty, other thinkers insisted
on the existence, beyond ourselves, of
an entirely rational physical and moral
universe. Isaac Newton's demonstra-
tions of the order of natural law greatly
encouraged this line of thought, lead-
ing many to believe that the fullness
and complexity of the perceived physi-
cal world testified to the sublime ratio-
nality of a divine plan. The Planner,
however, did not necessarily supervise
the day-to-day operations of His arrange-
analogy had it, resemble the watch-
ments; He might rather, as a popular
maker who winds the watch and leaves
it running.
tral image for thinkers known as deists,
God as a watchmaker was the cen-
who justified evil in the world by argu-
ing that God never interfered with
encouraged the separation of ethics
nature or with human action. Deism
from religion, as ethics was increas
ingly understood as a matter of reason.An illustration from an early eighteenth-century edition of the French philosopher René
Descartes's unfinished book on the human body. Descartes saw the body as a machine whose
operations could be understood mathematically.
Human beings, Enlightenment think-
ers argued, could rely on their own
authority rather than looking to priests
or princes to decide how to act well
in the world. Yet no one could fail to
recognize that men and women embod-
ied a capacity for passion as well as
reason: "On life's vast ocean diversely
we sail,/ Reason the card, but Passion
is the gale," Alexander Pope's Essay
on Man (1733) pointed out. One could
hope to steer with reason as guide, but
one had to face the omnipresence of
unreasonable passions. Life could be
understood as a struggle between ratio
nality and emotion, with feeling fre-
quently exercising controlling force.
Those who believed in the desirability
of reason's governance often worried.
that it rarely prevailed over feelings of
greed, lust, or the desire for power. For
them as for us, the gap between the
ideal and the actual caused frustration
and often despair.
INTRODUCTION
The questions raised by Enlighten
ment thinkers about human powers and
limitations have left a legacy so lasting
that it is hard to imagine our world with
out the Enlightenment. They are the
ones who urged us to trust our own.
judgments and our own senses-while
insisting on the need to think skeptically
and critically-and they were the ones i
who shifted the dominant model of truth.
from divine revelation to human forms
of knowledge: science, statistics, history,
literature. They imagined conquering
nature with ever-increasing knowledge-
allowing humans to control their envi-
ronment and harness nature's power for
their own gain. And they ushered in a
new sense of the equality of all human
beings, launching the demand for uni-
versal human rights.
SOCIETY
The late seventeenth century, when
the Enlightenment began, was a period
of great turmoil, which persisted at
intervals throughout the succeeding
century. Reason had led many thinkers
to the conclusion that kings and
queens were ordinary mortals, and thatTHE ENLIGHTENMENT IN EUROPE AND THE AMERICAS
conclusion implied new kinds of uncer-
tainty. Civil war in England had ended
in the king's execution in 1649; the
French would guillotine their ruler
before the end of the eighteenth cen-
tury. The notion of divine right, the
belief that monarchs governed with
authority from God, had been effec-
tively destroyed. God seemed to be
moving further away. Religion still fig-
ured as a political reality, as it did in
the struggle of Cavaliers and Puritans
in England, which ended with the res-
toration of Charles II to the throne in
1660. But the most significant social
divisions were now those of class and
of political conviction-divisions no
less powerful for lacking any claim of
God-given authority. To England, the
eighteenth century brought two unsuc-
cessful but bitter rebellions on behalf
of the deposed Stuart monarchs as well
as the cataclysmic American Revolu-
tion. Throughout the eighteenth cen-
tury, wars erupted over succession to
European thrones and over nationalis-
tic claims. In Europe, internal divisions
often assumed greater importance than
struggles between nations. In the Amer-
icas, meanwhile, the ideas of the En-
lightenment and the example of the
American Revolution spread widely,
leading to the revolts of creole elites
against their European masters and to
the birth of new nations.
Although revolution, civil war, and
other forms of social instability domi-
nated this period, the idea of civil soci-
Enlightenment. Seventeenth-century
ety retained great power during the
English philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
who believed that human life before
bly "nasty, mean, brutish, and short,"
the formation of societies was inevita-
inally banded together for the sake of
thought that men and women had orig-
preservation and progress. By the late
seventeenth century in Europe as in
the Americas, social organization had
evolved into elaborate hierarchicalINTRODUCTION
structures with the aristocracy at the childbearing and childrearing might
top. Just below the aristocrats were the
educated gentry-clergymen, lawyers.
men of leisure with landed property.
Below them were masses of workers of
various kinds, many of them illiterate,
and, in the Americas, the large popula-
tions of indigenous or mestizo (mixed-
not conform to the dictates of reason.
If God had given all human beings rea-
son, then women were just as entitled
to develop and exercise their minds as
their male counterparts. The emphasis
on education in virtually all of the peri-
od's tracts about women provides proof
race) peoples, as well as slaves of African that the concept of rational progress
offered a device that could be used to
descent. Although literacy rates grew
dramatically during the eighteenth gain at least some rights for women-if
not civil rights, which were long in
century, those who wrote (and, for a
and knowledge.
Women of the upper classes occu-
pied an important place in Enlighten-
ment society, presiding over "salons,"
gatherings whose participants engaged
in intellectual as well as frivolous con-
versation. In France as in England, by
the late seventeenth century women
also began writing novels, their books.
widely read by men and women alike.
Although novels by women often fo-
cused attention on the domestic scene.
they also ranged further, as in Behn's
Oroonoko. Women published transla-
tions from the Greek as well as vol-
umes of literary criticism, and were the
most prolific writers in certain genres,
such as Gothic fiction. Even if society
as a whole did not acknowledge their
full intellectual and moral capacities,
individual women were beginning to
claim for themselves more rights than
those of motherhood.
long time, those who read) belonged coming, at least the right to thought
almost entirely to the two upper classes.
As new forms of commerce generated
new wealth, and with it, newly wealthy
people who felt entitled to their share
of social power, the traditional social
order faced increasing challenges. In
the Americas, white creoles chafed at
European entitlements while insisting
on their own privilege over other races.
By the eighteenth century, the aboli-
tionist movement would begin to ques
tion whether slavery could be ethical, a
challenge anticipated by Aphra Behn's
Oroonoko, the story of an African
prince tricked into slavery and spirited
to the New World.
Among the privileged classes, men
had many opportunities: for education,
for service in government or diplomacy,
for the exercise of political and eco-
nomic power. Both men and women
generally accepted as necessary the
subordination of women, who, even in
Society in this period operated, as
the upper classes, had few opportuni-
ties for education and occupation societies always do, by means of well-
defined codes of behavior. Commenta-
beyond the household. But the increas-
tors at the time frequently showed
ing value attached to individualism had
themselves troubled by the possibility
implications for women as well as men.
In the late seventeenth century, Sor of sharp discrepancies between social
Juana Inés de la Cruz, a Mexican nun,
appearance and the "truth" of human
articulated her own passion for thought nature: Molière's Tartuffe provides a
and reading, and became an eloquent vivid example, with its exposé of reli-
advocate of the right of women to edu- gious sham. Jonathan Swift, lashing
cation and a life of the mind. During the English for institutionalized hypocrisy
the next century, a number of women
and an occasional man made the same
case. It became increasingly common
to argue that limiting women solely to
Pope, calling attention to ambiguous
sexual mores: Voltaire and Johnson,
sending naive fictional protagonists to
find that moralists don't always practice68 1
MOLIERE
CLEANTE
But we need to know, don't we now?
Is there a reason you would break your vow?
ORGON That depends.
CLEANTE
On what? Orgon, what is it?
Valère was the reason for my visit.
ORGON Who knows? Who knows?
CLEANTE
ORGON Heaven knows.
CLEANTE
May he know, too?
So there's some mystery there?
It does? And now, Valère-
Can't say.
ORGON
CLÉANTE
We have no information to go on.
We need to know-
But, dear Orgon,
ORGON
What heaven wants, I'll do.
CLEANTE Is that your final answer? Then I'm through.
But your pledge to Valère? You'll stand by it?
ORGON Good-bye.
[ORGON exits.]
CLEANTE
More patience, yes, I should i try it.
I let him get to me. Now I confess
I fear the worst for Valère's happiness.
2.1
[ORGON, MARIANE]
ORGON Mariane.
MARIANE
Father.
ORGON
Come. Now. Talk with me.
MARIANE Why are you looking everywhere?
To see
ORGON
If everyone is minding their own business.
So, Child, I've always loved your gentleness.
MARIANE And for your love, I'm grateful, Father dear.
ORGON Well said. And so to prove that you're sincere,
And worthy of my love, you have the task
Of doing for me anything I ask.
MARIANE
Then my obedience will be my proof.
ORGON Good. What do you think of our guest, Tartuffe?
MARIANE Who, me?
ORGON
MARIANE Then, Father, I will say what you allow.
Yes, you. Watch what you say right now.
ORGON Wise words, Daughter. So this is what you say:
"He is a perfect man in every way;
In body and soul, I find him divine."
And then you say, "Please Father, make him mine."
Huh?I heard...
Yes.
What did you say?
Who is this perfect man in every way,
hom in body and soul I find divine
And ask of you, "Please, Father, make him mine?"
ON Tartuffe
All that I've said, I now amend
Because you wouldn't want me to pretend.
cox Absolutely not that's so misguided.
Have it be the truth, then. It's decided.
ANTWhat?! Father, you want-
ORGON
To join in marriage my Tartuffe and you.
And since I have
Yes, my dear, I do-
2.2
(DORINE, ORGON, MARIANE]
ORGON
Dorine, I know you're there!
Any secrets in this house you don't share?
DORINE "Marriage"I think, yes, I heard a rumor,
Someone's failed attempt at grotesque humor,
So when I heard the story, I said, "No!
Preposterous! Absurd! It can't be so."
ORGON Oh, you find it preposterous? And why?
DORINE It's so outrageous, it must be a lie.
ORGON Yet it's the truth and you will believe it.
DORINE Yet as a joke is how I must receive it.
ORGON But it's a story that will soon come true.
DORINE A fantasy!
ORGON
Mariane, it's not a joke-
DORINE
I'm getting tired of you.
Says he,
Laughing up his sleeve for all to see.
ORGON I'm telling you-
TARTUFTE 2.2
DORINE
It's very good-you're fooling everyone.
ORGON You have made me really angry now.
DORINE I see the awful truth across your brow.
How can a man who looks as wise as you
Be such a fool to want-
ORGON
11
What can I da
-more make-believe for fun.
1
69
1066 1 MOLIERE
You are the one enlightened man, the sage.
You are Cato the Elder" of our age.
Next to you, all men are dumb as cows.
CLEANTE I'm not the wisest man, as you espouse,
Nor do I know-what-all there is to know?
But I do know, Orgon, that quid pro quo
Does not apply at all to "false" and "true,"
And I would never trust a person who
Cannot tell them apart. See, I revere
Everyone whose worship is sincere.
Nothing is more noble or more beautiful
Than fervor that is holy, not just dutiful.
So nothing is more odious to me
Than the display of specious piety
Which I see in every charlatan
Who tries to pass for a true holy man.
Religious passion worn as a facade
Abuses what's sacred and mocks God.
These men who take what's sacred and most holy
And use it as their trade, for money, solely,
With downcast looks and great affected cries,
Who suck in true believers with their lies,
Who ceaselessly will preach and then demand
"Give up the world!" and then, by sleight of hand,
End up sitting pretty at the court,
The best in lodging and new clothes to sport.
If you're their enemy, then heaven hates you.
That's their claim when one of them berates you..
They'll say you've sinned. You'll find yourself removed
And wondering if you'll be approved our
For anything, at all, ever again.
Because so heinous was this fictional "sin."
When these men are angry, they're the worst,
There's no place to hide, you're really cursed.
They use what we call righteous as their sword,
To coldly murder in the name of the Lord.
But next to these imposters faking belief,
The devotion of the true is a relief.
Our century has put before our eyes
Glorious examples we can prize.
Look at Ariston, and look at Periandre,
Oronte, Alcidamas, Polydore, Clitandre:
Not one points out his own morality,
Instead they speak of their mortality.
9. Roman statesman and author (234-149)
B.C.E.), famous as a stern moralist devoted to
traditional Roman ideals of honor, courage,
and simplicity.
1. Made-up names.
120
130
145
150Hy
They don't form cabals, they don't have factions,
They don't censure other people's actions.
They see the flagrant pride in such correction
And know that humans can't achieve perfection.
Thes know this of themselves and yet their lives
Good faith good works, all good, epitomize.
They don't exhibit zeal that's more intense
Than heaven shows us in its own defense.
They'd never claim a knowledge that's divine
tod set they live in virtue's own design.
They concentrate their hatred on the sin.
And when the sinner grieves, invite him in.
They leave to others the arrogance of speech.
Instead they practice what others only preach.
These are the men who show us how to live.
Their lives, the best example I can give.
These are my men, the ones whom I would follow.
Your man and his life, honestly, are hollow.
I believe you praise him quite sincerely,
I also think you'll pay for this quite dearly.
He's a fraud, this man whom you adore.
GON Oh, you've stopped talking. Is there any more?
CLEANTE No.
I am your servant, sir.
ORGON
CLEANTE
No! wait!
There's one more thing-no more debate-
I want to change the subject, if I might.
I heard that you said the other night,
To Valère, he'd be your son-in-law.
ORGON I did.
CLEANTE
And set the date?
ORGON
CLEANTE
ORGON I did.
CLEANTE
Yes.
ORGON Don't know.
CLEANTE
Did withdraw?
you
You're putting off the wedding? Why?
There's more?
ORGON
CLEANTE
You would break your word?
ORGON
I couldn't say.
CLEANTE Then, Orgon, why did you change the day?
ORGON Who knows?
Perhaps.
2. A possible allusion to the Compagnie de
Saint-Sacrement, a tightly knit group of prom-
iment French citizens known for public works
Again I'll try:
160
165
175
180
185
tively referred to as the cabale.
as well as strict morality; they were pejora-She's innocent of course, but so alluring.
He tells me whom she sees and what she does.
He's more jealous than I ever was.
t's for my honor that he's so concerned.
His righteous anger's all for me, I've learned,
To the point that just the other day,
Adea annoved him as he tried to pray.
Then he rebuked himself, as if he'd willed it-
His excessive anger when he killed it.
EN Orgon, listen. You're out of your mind.
Or you're mocking me. Or both combined.
How can you speak such nonsense without blinking?
oncos I smell an atheist! It's that freethinking!
Such nonsense is the bane of your existence.
And that explains your damnable resistance.
Ten times over, I've tried to save your soul
From your corrupted mind. That's still my goal.
GEANTE You have been corrupted by your friends.
You know of whom I speak. Your thought depends
On people who are blind and want to spread it
Like some horrid flu, and, yes, I dread it.
I'm no atheist. I see things clearly.
And what I see is loud lip service, merely,
To make exhibitionists seem devout.
Forgive me, but a prayer is not a shout.
Yet those who don't adore these charlatans i
Are seen as faithless heathens by your friends.
It's as if you think you'd never find
Reason and the sacred intertwined.
You think I'm afraid of retribution?
Heaven sees my heart and their pollution.
So we should be the slaves of sanctimony?
Monkey see, monkey do, monkey phony.
The true believers we should emulate
Are not the ones who groan and lay prostrate.
And yet you see no problem in the notion
TARTUFFE 15 65
Of hypocrisy as deep devotion.
You see as one the genuine and the spurious.
You'd extend this to your money? I'm just curious.
In your business dealings, I'd submit,
You'd not confuse the gold with counterfeit.
Men are strangely made, I'd have to say.
They're burdened with their reason, till one day,
They free themselves with such force that they spoil
The noblest of things for which they toil.
Because they must go to
TO
75
80
90
95
100
10568 1
MOLIERE
CLEANTE
But we need to know, don't we now?
Is there a reason you would break your vow?
ORGON That depends.
CLEANTE
On what? Orgon, what is it?
Valère was the reason for my visit.
ORGON Who knows? Who knows?
CLEANTE
ORGON Heaven knows.
CLEANTE
May he know, too?
So there's some mystery there?
It does? And now, Valère-
Can't say.
ORGON
CLÉANTE
We have no information to go on.
We need to know-
But, dear Orgon,
ORGON
What heaven wants, I'll do.
CLEANTE Is that your final answer? Then I'm through.
But your pledge to Valère? You'll stand by it?
ORGON Good-bye.
[ORGON exits.]
CLEANTE
More patience, yes, I should i try it.
I let him get to me. Now I confess
I fear the worst for Valère's happiness.
2.1
[ORGON, MARIANE]
ORGON Mariane.
MARIANE
Father.
ORGON
Come. Now. Talk with me.
MARIANE Why are you looking everywhere?
To see
ORGON
If everyone is minding their own business.
So, Child, I've always loved your gentleness.
MARIANE And for your love, I'm grateful, Father dear.
ORGON Well said. And so to prove that you're sincere,
And worthy of my love, you have the task
Of doing for me anything I ask.
MARIANE
Then my obedience will be my proof.
ORGON Good. What do you think of our guest, Tartuffe?
MARIANE Who, me?
ORGON
MARIANE Then, Father, I will say what you allow.
Yes, you. Watch what you say right now.
ORGON Wise words, Daughter. So this is what you say:
"He is a perfect man in every way;
In body and soul, I find him divine."
And then you say, "Please Father, make him mine."
Huh?I heard...
Yes.
What did you say?
Who is this perfect man in every way,
hom in body and soul I find divine
And ask of you, "Please, Father, make him mine?"
ON Tartuffe
All that I've said, I now amend
Because you wouldn't want me to pretend.
cox Absolutely not that's so misguided.
Have it be the truth, then. It's decided.
ANTWhat?! Father, you want-
ORGON
To join in marriage my Tartuffe and you.
And since I have
Yes, my dear, I do-
2.2
(DORINE, ORGON, MARIANE]
ORGON
Dorine, I know you're there!
Any secrets in this house you don't share?
DORINE "Marriage"I think, yes, I heard a rumor,
Someone's failed attempt at grotesque humor,
So when I heard the story, I said, "No!
Preposterous! Absurd! It can't be so."
ORGON Oh, you find it preposterous? And why?
DORINE It's so outrageous, it must be a lie.
ORGON Yet it's the truth and you will believe it.
DORINE Yet as a joke is how I must receive it.
ORGON But it's a story that will soon come true.
DORINE A fantasy!
ORGON
Mariane, it's not a joke-
DORINE
I'm getting tired of you.
Says he,
Laughing up his sleeve for all to see.
ORGON I'm telling you-
TARTUFTE 2.2
DORINE
It's very good-you're fooling everyone.
ORGON You have made me really angry now.
DORINE I see the awful truth across your brow.
How can a man who looks as wise as you
Be such a fool to want-
ORGON
11
What can I da
-more make-believe for fun.
1
69
1066 1 MOLIERE
You are the one enlightened man, the sage.
You are Cato the Elder" of our age.
Next to you, all men are dumb as cows.
CLEANTE I'm not the wisest man, as you espouse,
Nor do I know-what-all there is to know?
But I do know, Orgon, that quid pro quo
Does not apply at all to "false" and "true,"
And I would never trust a person who
Cannot tell them apart. See, I revere
Everyone whose worship is sincere.
Nothing is more noble or more beautiful
Than fervor that is holy, not just dutiful.
So nothing is more odious to me
Than the display of specious piety
Which I see in every charlatan
Who tries to pass for a true holy man.
Religious passion worn as a facade
Abuses what's sacred and mocks God.
These men who take what's sacred and most holy
And use it as their trade, for money, solely,
With downcast looks and great affected cries,
Who suck in true believers with their lies,
Who ceaselessly will preach and then demand
"Give up the world!" and then, by sleight of hand,
End up sitting pretty at the court,
The best in lodging and new clothes to sport.
If you're their enemy, then heaven hates you.
That's their claim when one of them berates you..
They'll say you've sinned. You'll find yourself removed
And wondering if you'll be approved our
For anything, at all, ever again.
Because so heinous was this fictional "sin."
When these men are angry, they're the worst,
There's no place to hide, you're really cursed.
They use what we call righteous as their sword,
To coldly murder in the name of the Lord.
But next to these imposters faking belief,
The devotion of the true is a relief.
Our century has put before our eyes
Glorious examples we can prize.
Look at Ariston, and look at Periandre,
Oronte, Alcidamas, Polydore, Clitandre:
Not one points out his own morality,
Instead they speak of their mortality.
9. Roman statesman and author (234-149)
B.C.E.), famous as a stern moralist devoted to
traditional Roman ideals of honor, courage,
and simplicity.
1. Made-up names.
120
130
145
150Hy
They don't form cabals, they don't have factions,
They don't censure other people's actions.
They see the flagrant pride in such correction
And know that humans can't achieve perfection.
Thes know this of themselves and yet their lives
Good faith good works, all good, epitomize.
They don't exhibit zeal that's more intense
Than heaven shows us in its own defense.
They'd never claim a knowledge that's divine
tod set they live in virtue's own design.
They concentrate their hatred on the sin.
And when the sinner grieves, invite him in.
They leave to others the arrogance of speech.
Instead they practice what others only preach.
These are the men who show us how to live.
Their lives, the best example I can give.
These are my men, the ones whom I would follow.
Your man and his life, honestly, are hollow.
I believe you praise him quite sincerely,
I also think you'll pay for this quite dearly.
He's a fraud, this man whom you adore.
GON Oh, you've stopped talking. Is there any more?
CLEANTE No.
I am your servant, sir.
ORGON
CLEANTE
No! wait!
There's one more thing-no more debate-
I want to change the subject, if I might.
I heard that you said the other night,
To Valère, he'd be your son-in-law.
ORGON I did.
CLEANTE
And set the date?
ORGON
CLEANTE
ORGON I did.
CLEANTE
Yes.
ORGON Don't know.
CLEANTE
Did withdraw?
you
You're putting off the wedding? Why?
There's more?
ORGON
CLEANTE
You would break your word?
ORGON
I couldn't say.
CLEANTE Then, Orgon, why did you change the day?
ORGON Who knows?
Perhaps.
2. A possible allusion to the Compagnie de
Saint-Sacrement, a tightly knit group of prom-
iment French citizens known for public works
Again I'll try:
160
165
175
180
185
tively referred to as the cabale.
as well as strict morality; they were pejora-She's innocent of course, but so alluring.
He tells me whom she sees and what she does.
He's more jealous than I ever was.
t's for my honor that he's so concerned.
His righteous anger's all for me, I've learned,
To the point that just the other day,
Adea annoved him as he tried to pray.
Then he rebuked himself, as if he'd willed it-
His excessive anger when he killed it.
EN Orgon, listen. You're out of your mind.
Or you're mocking me. Or both combined.
How can you speak such nonsense without blinking?
oncos I smell an atheist! It's that freethinking!
Such nonsense is the bane of your existence.
And that explains your damnable resistance.
Ten times over, I've tried to save your soul
From your corrupted mind. That's still my goal.
GEANTE You have been corrupted by your friends.
You know of whom I speak. Your thought depends
On people who are blind and want to spread it
Like some horrid flu, and, yes, I dread it.
I'm no atheist. I see things clearly.
And what I see is loud lip service, merely,
To make exhibitionists seem devout.
Forgive me, but a prayer is not a shout.
Yet those who don't adore these charlatans i
Are seen as faithless heathens by your friends.
It's as if you think you'd never find
Reason and the sacred intertwined.
You think I'm afraid of retribution?
Heaven sees my heart and their pollution.
So we should be the slaves of sanctimony?
Monkey see, monkey do, monkey phony.
The true believers we should emulate
Are not the ones who groan and lay prostrate.
And yet you see no problem in the notion
TARTUFFE 15 65
Of hypocrisy as deep devotion.
You see as one the genuine and the spurious.
You'd extend this to your money? I'm just curious.
In your business dealings, I'd submit,
You'd not confuse the gold with counterfeit.
Men are strangely made, I'd have to say.
They're burdened with their reason, till one day,
They free themselves with such force that they spoil
The noblest of things for which they toil.
Because they must go to
TO
75
80
90
95
100
105MOLIERE
The words and lives of saintly souls who died-
Is action of satanical transgression!"
And so, of course, I hurried to confession.
1.3
(ELMIRE, MARIANE, DAMIS, CLEANTE, DORINE]
ELMIRE [to CLEANTE] Lucky you, you stayed. Yes, there was more,
And more preaching from Grandma, at the door.
My husband's coming! I didn't catch his eye.
I'll wait for him upstairs. Cléante, good-bye.
CLEANTE I'll see you soon. I'll wait here below,
Take just a second for a brief hello.
DAMIS While you have him, say something for me?
My sister needs for Father to agree
To her marriage with Valère, as planned.
Tartuffe opposes it and will demand
That Father break his word, and that's not fair;
Then I can't wed the sister of Valère.
Listening only to Tartuffe's voice,
He'd break four hearts at once-
DORINE
ORGON
ORGON
DORINE
He's here.
1.4
[ORGON, CLEANTE, DORINE]
Rejoice!
I'm back.
CLEANTE I'm glad to see you, but I'm on my way.
Just stayed to say hello.
ORGON
No more to say? sid
Dorine! Come back! And Cléante, why the hurry?
Indulge me for a moment. You know I worry.bor
I've been gone two days! There's news to tell.
Now don't hold back. Has everyone been well? [
DORINE Not quite. There was that headache Madame had
The day you left. Well, it got really bad.
She had a fever-
And Tartuffe?
He's fine-
Rosy-nosed and red-cheeked, drinking your wine.
ORGON Poor man!
DORINE
To eat a single morsel at the table.
ORGON Ah, and Tartuffe?
And then, Madame became unable
DORINE
He sat within her sight,
Not holding back, he ate with great delight,
10
10
A brace e
In fact, h
P
ORGON
DORINE
Your pos
What a
I don't
We wat
ORGON
DORINE
After s
He sle
ORGON
DORINE
Mada
And t
ORGON
DORINE
To m
Tarts
ORGON
DORINE
Mac
How
Anc
CLÉ
1
T
T
OR
CIAbrace of partridge, and a leg of mutton.
In fact, he ate so much, he popped a button.
ORGON Poor man!
DORINE
That night until the next sunrise,
Your poor wife couldn't even close her eyes.
What a fever! Oh, how she did suffer!ond you t
I don't see how that night could have been rougher.
We watched her all night long, worried and weepy.
oncon Ah, and Tartuffe?
DORINE
After such a meal, it's not surprising.
He slept through the night, not once arising.
ORGON Poor man!
tadi
At dinner he grew sleepy.
DORINE
At last won over by our pleading.
Madame agreed to undergo a bleeding."
And this, we think, has saved her from the grave.
ORGON Ah, and Tartuffe?
DORINE
Oh, he was very brave.
To make up for the blood Madame had lost
Tartuffe slurped down red wine, all at your cost.
ORGON Poor man!
DORINE
Since then, they've both been fine, although
Madame needs me. I'll go and let her know on
How anxious you have been about her health,
And that you prize it more than all your wealth.
[ORGON, CLÉANTE]
your
CLEANTE You know that girl was laughing in t
I fear I'll make you angry, but in case
There is a chance you'll listen, I will try
To say that you are laughable and why.
I've never known of something so capricious
As letting this man do just as he wishes
In your home and to your family. d
You brought him here, relieved his poverty,
And, in return-
TARTUFFE 1.5 63.
face.
ORGON
Now you listen to me!
You're just my brother-in-law, Cléante. Quite!
You don't know this man. And don't deny it!
CLEANTE I don't know him, yes, that may be so,
But men like him are not so rare, you know.
25
30
35
10MOLIERE
ORGON
If you only could know him as I do.
You would be his true disciple, too.
The universe, your ecstasy would span.
This is a man...who... ha!... well, such a man.
Behold him. Let him teach you profound peace.
When first we met, I felt my troubles cease..
Yes, I was changed after I talked with him.
I saw my wants and needs as just a whim!
Everything that's written, all that's sung.
The world, and you and me, well, it's all dung!
Yes, it's crap! And isn't that a wonder!
The real world it's just some spell we're under!
He's taught me to love nothing and no one!
Mother, father, wife, daughter, son-
They could die right now, I'd feel no pain.
CLEANTE What feelings you've developed, how humane.
ORGON You just don't see him in the way I do,
But if you did, you'd feel what I feel, too.
Every day he came to church and knelt,
And from his groans, I knew just what he felt.
Those sounds he made from deep inside his soul,
Were fed by piety he could not control.
Of the congregation, who could ignore
The way he humbly bowed and kissed the floor?
And when they tried to turn away their eyes,
His fervent prayers to heaven and deep sighs
Made them witness his deep spiritual pain.
Then something happened I can't quite explain.
I rose to leave-he quickly went before
To give me holy water at the door.
He knew what I needed, so he blessed me.
I found his acolyte, he'd so impressed me,
To ask who he was and there I learned
About his poverty and how he spurned
The riches of this world. And when I tried
To give him gifts, in modesty, he cried,
"That is too much," he'd say, "A half would do.
Then gave a portion back, with much ado.
"I am not worthy. I do not deserve
Your gifts or pity. I am here to serve
The will of heaven, that and nothing more."
Then takes the gift and shares it with the poor.
So heaven spoke to me inside my head.
"Just bring him home with you" is what it said
And so I did. And ever since he came,
My home's a happy one. I also claim
A moral home, a house that's free of sin,
Tartuffe's on watch-he won't let
His interest in my wife is reassuring,
any in.
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45
5560
1 MOLIERE
In welcoming this man who's so devout;
His very presence casts the devils out.
Or most of them that's why I hope you hear him.
And I advise all of you to stay near him.
You need his protection and advice.
Your casual attention won't suffice.
It's heaven sent him here to fill a need,
CLEANTE
To save you from yourselves-oh yes, indeed.
These visits from your friends you seem to want-
Listen to yourselves! So nonchalant!
As if no evil lurks in these events.
As if you're blind to what Satan invents.
And dances! What are those but food for slander!
It's to the worst desires these parties pander.
I ask you now, what purpose do they serve?
Where gossip's passed around like an hors-d'oeuvre.
A thousand cackling hens, busy with what?
It takes a lot of noise to cover smut.
It truly is the tower of Babylon,
Where people babble on and on and on.
Ah! Case in point-there stands Monsieur Cléante,
Sniggering and eyeing me askant,
As if this has nothing to do with him,
And nothing that he does would God condemn.
And so, Elmire, my dear, I say farewell.
Till when? When it is a fine day in hell.
Farewell, all of you. When I pass through that door,
You won't have me to laugh at anymore.
Flipote! Wake up! Have you heard nothing I have said?
I'll march you home and beat you till you're dead.
March, slut, march.
That old lady-
1.25
[DORINE, CLÉANTE]
I'm staying here. She's scary,
DORINE
Shall I call her back to hear you say,
I know why you're wary.
"That old lady"? That would make her day.
4. That is, the biblical Tower of Babel (the
Hebrew equivalent of the Akkadian Bab-ilu, or
Babylon-a name explained by the similar
sounding but unrelated Hebrew verb balal,
"confuse"), described in Genesis 11.1-9, to
prevent it from being constructed and reaching
heaven. God scattered all the people and con-
fused their language, creating many tongues
M
175
140
where there had been only one.
begins whenever a character enters or leaves
5. In classical French drama, a new scene
known as "French scenes." Character remain
the stage, even if the action continues without
interruption; this convention has become
ing on-stage are list
On
CL
DOCEN She's lost her mind, she's-now we have the proof-
Head over heels in love with whom? Tartuffe.
So here's what's worse and weird-so is her son.
What's more--it's obvious to everyone.
Before Tartuffe and he became entwined,
Orgon once ruled this house in his right mind.
In the troubled times," he backed the prince,
And that took courage. We haven't seen it since.
He is intoxicated with Tartuffe
A potion that exceeds a hundred proof.
It's put him in a trance, this devil's brew.
And so he worships this imposter who
He calls "brother" and loves more than one-
This charlatan-more than daughter, wife, son.
This charlatan hears all our master's dreams,
And all his secrets. Every thought, it seems,
Is poured out to Tartuffe, like he's his priest!
You'd think they'd see the heresy, at least.
Orgon caresses him, embraces him, and shows
More love for him than any mistress knows.
Come for a meal and who has the best seat?
Whose preferences determine what we eat?
Tartuffe consumes enough for six, is praised,
And to his health is every goblet raised,
While on his plate are piled the choicest bites.
Then when he belches, our master delights
In that and shouts, "God bless you!" to the beast,
As if Tartuffe's the reason for the feast.
Did I mention the quoting of each word,
As if it's the most brilliant thing we've heard?
And, oh, the miracles Tartuffe creates!
The prophecies! We write while he dictates.
All that's ridiculous. But what's evil
Is seeing the deception and upheaval
Of the master and everything he owns.
He hands him money. They're not even loans-
He's giving it away. It's gone too far.
To watch Tartuffe play him like a guitar!
And this Laurent, his man, found some lace.
Shredded it and threw it in my face.
He'd found it pressed inside The Lives of Saints,
I thought we'd have to put him in restraints.
"To put the devil's finery beside
TARTUFFE 1.2 1 61
6. That is, during the Fronde (literally, "sling":
1648-53), a civil war that took place while
France was being ruled by a regent for
Louis XIV-"the prince" whom Orgon sup
ported-as various factions of the nobility
10
35
45
sought to limit the growing authority of the
monarchy.
7. A text (Flos Sanctorum, 1599-1601) by the
Spanish Jesuit Pedro de Ribadeneyra, avail-
able in French translation by 1646.TARTUFFE 1.159.
It's our neighbor, Daphne. I just know it.
They don't like us. It's obvious they show it
In the way they watch as-she and her mate.
I've seen them squinting at us, through their gate.
It's true those whose private conduct is the worst
Wow each other down to be the first
To weave some tale of lust, so hearts are broken
Out of a simple kiss that's just a token
Between friends-just friends and nothing more.
See-those whose trysts are kept behind a door
Yet everyone finds out? Well, then, they need
New stories for the gossip mill to feed
To all who'll listen. So they must repaint
The deeds of others, hoping that a taint
Will color others' lives in darker tone
And, by this process, lighten up their own.
NADAME PERNELLE Daphne and her mate are not the point.
But when Orante says things are out of joint,
There's a problem. She's a person who
Prays every day and should be listened to.
She condemns the mob that visits here.
DORINE This good woman shouldn't live so near
Those, like us, who run a bawdy house.
I hear she lives as quiet as a mouse-
Devout, though. Everyone applauds her zeal.
She needed that when age stole her appeal.
Her passion is policing-it's her duty.
And compensation for her loss of beauty.
She's a reluctant prude. And now, her art,
Once used so well to win a lover's heart,
Is gone. Her eyes, that used to flash with lust,
Are steely from her piety. She must
Have seen that it's too late to be a wife,
And so she lives a plain and pious life.
This is a strategy of old quettes.
It's how they manage once the world forgets
Them. First, they wallow in a dark depression,
Then see no recourse but in the profession
Of a prude. They criticize the lives of everyone.
They censure everything, and pardon none.
It's envy. Pleasures that they are denied
By time and age, now, they just can't abide.
MADAME PERNELLE You do go on and on. [To ELMIRE] My dear Elmire,
This is all your doing. It's so clear
Because you let a servant give advice.
Just be aware-I'm tired of being nice.
It's obvious to anyone with eyes
That what my son has done is more than wise
114
125
130
145
150
195Just as I told my son, "Your son's a brat.
He won't become a drunkard or a thief,
And yet, he'll be a lifetime full of grief."
MARANE I think
MADAME PERNELLE
You hurt your brain. You think that we're beguiled
By your quietude, you fragile flower,
But as they say, still waters do run sour.
ELME But Mother
MADAME PERNELLE
-Daughter-in-law, please take this well-
Behavior such as yours leads straight to hell.
You spend money like it grows on trees
Then wear it on your back in clothes like these.
Are you a princess? No? You're dressed like one!
One wonders whom you dress for-not my son.
Look to these children whom you have corrupted
When their mama's life was interrupted.
She spun in her grave when you were wed:
She's still a better mother, even dead.
CLEANTE Madame, I do insist-
-Oh, don't do that, my dear grandchild.
-You do? On what?
MADAME PERNELLE
That we live life as you do, caring not
For morals? I hear each time you give that speech.
Your sister memorizing what you teach.
TARTUFFE 157
I'd slam the door on you. Forgive my frankness.
That is how I am! And it is thankless.
DAMIS Tartuffe would, from the bottom of his heart,
If he had one, thank you.
MADAME PERNELLE
Oh, now you start.
Grandson, it's "Monsieur Tartuffe" to you.
And he's a man who should be listened to.
If you provoke him with ungodly chat,
I will not tolerate it, and that's that.
DAMIS Yet I should tolerate this trickster who
Has become the voice we answer to.
And I'm to be as quiet as a mouse
About this tyrant's power in our house?
All the fun things lately we have planned,
We couldn't do. And why? Because they're banned-
DORINE By him! Anything we take pleasure in
Suddenly becomes a mortal sin.
MADAME PERNELLE Then "he's here just in time" is what I say!
Don't you see? He's showing you the way
To heaven! Yes! So follow where he leads!
My son knows he is just what this house needs.
DAMIS Now Grandmother, listen. Not Father, not you,
No one can make me follow this man who
Rules this house, yet came here as a peasant.
I'llI
kaloocont
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25
40
45
55
6056
1 MOLIERE
DORINE When he came here he wasn't wearing shoes.
But he's no village saint-it's all a ruse.
There was no vow of poverty-he's poor!
And he was just some beggar at the door
Whom we should have tossed. He's a disaster!
To think this street bum now plays the master.
MADAME PERNELLE
May God have mercy on me. You're all blind.
A nobler, kinder man you'll never find.
DORINE So you think he's a saint. That's what he wants.
But he's a hypocrite and merely flaunts
This so-called godliness.
Will you be quiet!?
DORINE And that man of his-I just don't buy it-
He's supposed to be his servant? No.
They're in cahoots, I bet.
MADAME PERNELLE
MADAME PERNELLE
How would you know?
When, clearly, you don't understand, in fact,
How a servant is supposed to act?
This holy man you think of as uncouth,
Tries to help by telling you the truth
About yourself. But you can't hear it.
He knows what heaven wants and that you fear it.
DORINE So "heaven" hates these visits by our friends?
I see! And that's why Tartuffe's gone to any ends
To ruin our fun? But it is he who's zealous
About "privacy"-and why? He's jealous.
You can't miss it, whenever men come near-
He's lusting for our own Madame Elmire.
MADAME PERNELLE Since you, Dorine, have never understood
Your place, or the concepts of "should"
And "should not," one can't expect you to see
Tartuffe's awareness of propriety.
When these men visit, they bring noise and more-
Valets and servants planted at the door,
Carriages and horses, constant chatter.
What must the neighbors think? These things matter.
Is something going on? Well, I hope not.
You know you're being talked about a lot.
CLEANTE Really, Madame, you think you can prevent
Gossip? When most human beings are bent
On rumormongering and defamation,
And gathering or faking information
To make us all look bad-what can we do?
The fools who gossip don't care what is true.
You would force the whole world to be quiet?
Impossible! And each new lie-deny it?
Who in the world would want to live that way?
Let's live our lives. Let gossips have their say.56
MOLIERE
Tartuffe
CHARACTERS
MADAME PERNELLE, mother of Orgon
ORGON, husband of Elmire
ELMIRE, wife of Orgon
DAMIS, son of Orgon
MARIANE, daughter of Orgon
VALERE, fiance of Mariane
CLEANTE, brother-in-law of Orgon
The scene is Paris, in ORGON's house.
TARTUFFE, a religious hypocrite
DORINE, lady's maid to Mariane
bailiff
MONSIEUR LOYAL, a
THE EXEMPT, an officer of the king
FLIPOTE, lady's maid to Madame
Pernelle
LAURENT, a servant
1.1
(MADAME PERNELLE, FLIPOTE, ELMIRE,
MARIANE, DORINE, DAMIS, CLÉANTE]
MADAME PERNELLE' Flipote, come on! My visit here is through!
ELMIRE You walk so fast I can't keep up with you!
MADAME PERNELLE Then stop! That's your last step! Don't take another..
After all, I'm just your husband's mother.
ELMIRE And, as his wife, I have to see you out-
Agreed? Now, what is this about?
of Tartuffe
MADAME PERNELLE I cannot bear the way this house is run-
As if I don't know how things should be done!
No one even thinks about my pleasure,
And, if I ask, I'm served at someone's leisure.
It's obvious the values here aren't good
Or everyone would treat me as they should.
The Lord of Misrule here has his dominion-
DORINE But-
MADAME PERNELLE See? A servant with an opinion.
You're the former nanny, nothing more.
Were I in charge here, you'd be out the door.
DAMIS If
1. Versification by Constance Congdon, from
a translation by Virginia Scott.
2. The name Tartuffe is similar both to the
Italian word tartufo, meaning "truffle," and to
the French word for truffle, truffe, from which
is derived the French verb truffer-one mean-
MADAME PERNELLE -You-be quiet. Now let Grandma spell
Her special word for you: "F-O-O-L."
Oh yes! Your dear grandmother tells you that,
ing of which in Molière's day was "to deceive of
cheat."
3. The role of Madame Pernelle was ong
nally played by a male actor, a
was already a comic convention in Molière
practice
chal
time.MOLIERE 1 55
ity of the universe, implies adherence of ticks and repetitions. Adhering to
to Reason's laws." All transgression single abstractions, Molière's comic
volves failure to submit to reason's
dictates, a point that Molière's stylized
comic plot makes insistently,
Although the comedy suggests a
social world in which women exist
in utter subordination to fathers and
husbands, in the plot two women
bring about the unmasking of the
sillain. The virtuous wife, Elmire,
object of Tartuffe's lust, and the clever
protagonists often seem like mario-
nettes, whose rigid bearing, behavior
and language is controlled by an out-
side force as if by a puppet master. Yet
despite their singlemindedness, his
characters are also recognizable por-
traits of human folly, closely observed
and humorously rendered.
Comedies conventionally end in the
restoration of order, declaring that
servant girl, Dorine, confront the im- good inevitably triumphs; rationality
renews itself despite the temporary
mediate situation with pragmatic in-
ventiveness. Both women have a clear deviations of the foolish and the
sense of right and wrong, although
they express it in less resounding terms
than does Cléante. Their concrete in-
sistence on facing what is really going
on, cutting through all obfuscation,
rescues the men from entanglement in
their own abstract formulations.
Molière achieves comic effects above i
all through style and language. Devoted
to exposing the follies of his society,
his plays use a number of devices that
have become the gold standard of
comic writing. His characters are often
in the grip of a fixed idea, rigidly fol-
lowing a single principle of action,
such as extreme religious devotion or
sexual rejuvenation. These fixed ideas
also manifest themselves in the char-
acters' speech patterns, which are full
vicious. Although at the end of Tartuffe
order is restored, the arbitrary inter-
vention of the king leaves a disturbing
emotional residue. The play has dem-
onstrated that Tartuffe's corrupt will
to power can ruthlessly aggrandize
itself. Money speaks, in this society as
in ours; possession of wealth implies
total control over others. In the benign
world of comedy, the play reminds its
readers of the extreme precariousness
with which reason finally triumphs.
Tartuffe's monstrous lust-for women,
money, power-genuinely endangers
the social structure. The play forces
us to recognize the constant threats to
rationality, and how much we have at
stake in trying to use reason as a prin-
ciple of action.Madame unflappable and so discreet,
Would keep this secret, never to repeat.
But as your son, my feelings are too strong,
And to be silent is to do you wrong.
One learns to spurn without being unkind,
And how to spare a husband's peace of mind.
Although I understood just what he meant,
Mv honor wasn't touched by this event.
That's how I feel. And you would have, Damis,
Said nothing, if you had listened to me.
3.6
(ORGON, DAMIS, TARTUFFE]
TARTUFFE 3.6
ORGON Good heavens! What he said? Can it be true?
TARTUFE Yes, my brother, I'm wicked through and through.
The most miserable of sinners, I.
Filled with iniquity, I should just die.
Each moment of my life's so dirty, soiled,
Whatever I come near is quickly spoiled.
I'm nothing but a heap of filth and crime.
I'd name my sins, but we don't have the time.
And I see that heaven, to punish me,
Has mortified my soul quite publicly.
What punishment I get, however great,
fate.
I well deserve so I'll accept my
Defend myself? I'd face my own contempt,
If I thought that were something I'd attempt.
What you've heard here, surely, you abhor,
So chase me like a criminal from your door.
Don't hold back your rage, please, let it flame,
For I deserve to burn, in my great shame.
ORGON [to DAMIS] Traitor! And how dare you even try
To tarnish this man's virtue with a lie?
DAMIS What? This hypocrite pretends to be contrite
And you believe him over me?
ORGON
That's spite!
And shut your mouth!
TARTUFFE
No, let him have his say.
And don't accuse him. Don't send him away.
side?
Believe his story-why be on my
You don't know what motives I may hide.
Why give me so much loyalty and love?
Do you know wh
187
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10
15
20
2588 1 MOLIERE
The world sees me as worthy, yet I fall
Far below. Sin is so insidious.
[To DAMIS] Dear son, do treat me as perfidious,
Infamous, lost, a murderer, a thief.
Speak on, because my sins, beyond belief.
Can bring this shameful sinner to his knees,
In humble, paltry effort to appease.
ORGON [to TARTUFFE] Brother, there is no need...
relent?
DAMIS He has seduced you!
ORGON
Can't you take a hint?
Be quiet! [To TARTUFFE] Brother, please get up. [To DAMIS] Ingrate!
DAMIS But father, this man
ORGON
-whom you denigrate.
DAMIS But you should-
ORGON
Quiet!
DAMIS
But I saw and heard-
ORGON I'll slap you if you say another word.
TARTUFFE In the name of God, don't be that way.
Brother, I'd rather suffer, come what may,
Than have this boy receive what's meant for me.
ORGON (to DAMIS) Heathen!
TARTUFFE
ORGON [to DAMIS]
DAMIS
ORGON
[To DAMIS] Will you
Wretch! See his goodness?!
Please! I beg of you on bended knee.
But-
DAMIS
ORGON
And not another word from you until
You admit the truth. It's plain to see
Although you thought that I would never be
Aware and know your motives, yet I do.
You all hate him. And I saw today, you,
Wife, servants-everyone beneath my roof-
Are trying everything to force Tartuffe
Out of my house-this holy man, my friend.
The more you try to banish him and end
Our sacred brotherhood, the more secure
His place is. I have never been more sure
Of anyone. I give him as his bride
My daughter. If that hurts the family pride,
Then good. It needs humbling. You understand?
DAMIS You're going to force her to accept his hand?
ORGON Yes, traitor, and this evening. You kn
To infuriate you. Yes, 1 defy
You all. I am mart
Am 1
No!
But-
Be still!That this wedding your father wants is bad,
That's good. But he might want it, too, the cad.
she's sent for him so she can sound him out
this marriage you're furious about,
Diser what he feels and tell him clearly
he persists that it will cost him dearly.
It seems he can't be seen while he's at prayers,
Sel have my own vigil by the stairs
Where his valet says he will soon appear.
Do leave right now, and I'll wait for him here.
DAMIS
I won't say a word.
Oh, right. I know what you are like. Just go.
Youll spoil everything, believe me, I know.
Out!
TARTUFFE 3.2
stav to vouch for what was seen and heard.
They must be alone.
DANDS
I promise I won't get upset.
(DORINE pinches DAMIS as she used to do when he was a child.]
Ow!
DORINE Do as I say. Get out of here right now!
3.2
TARTUFFE, LAURENT, DORINE]
TLFFE (noticing DORINE] Laurent, lock up my scourge and
hair shirt, too.
And pray that our Lord's grace will shine on you.
If anyone wants me, I've gone to share
My alms at prison with the inmates there.
DORINE What a fake! What an imposter! What a sleaze!
TARTUFFE What do you want?
DORINE
181
TARTUFFE
Cover your bust. The flesh is weak.
Souls are forever damaged by such sights,
When sinful thoughts begin their evil flights.
DORINE It seems temptation makes a meal of you-
To turn you on, a glimpse of flesh will do.
Inside your heart, a furnace must be housed.
For me, I'm not so easily aroused.
I could see you naked, head in tor
10
To say-
TARTUFFE (taking a handkerchief from his pocket] Good heavens, please,
Do take this handkerchief before you speak.
DOBINE What for?For those men that all the women die for.
Love's a game whose object is a high score.
Although they promise not to talk, they will.
They need to boast of their superior skill,
Receive no favors not as soon revealed,
Exposing what they vowed would be concealed.
And in the end, this love is overpriced,
When a woman's honor's sacrificed.
Bat men like me burn with a silent flame,
Our secrets safe, our loves we never name,
Because our reputations are our wealth, p
When we transgress, it's with the utmost stealth.
Your honor's safe as my hand in a glove,
So I can offer, free from scandal, love,
And pleasure without fear of intervention.
ELMIRE Your sophistry does not hide your intention.
In fact, you know, it makes it all too clear.
What if, through me, my husband were to hear
About this love for me you now confess
Which shatters the ideals you profess?
TARTUFFE 3.4 1
How would your friendship fare, then, I wonder?
TARTUFFE It's your beauty cast this spell I suffer under.
I'm made of flesh, like you, like all mankind.
And since your soul is pure, you will be kind,
And not judge me harshly for my brashness
In speaking of my love in all its rashness.
I beg you to forgive me my offense,
I plead your perfect face as my defense.
ELMIRE Some might take offense at your confession,
But I will show a definite discretion,
And keep my husband in the dark about
These sinful feelings for me that you spout.
But I want something from t you in return:
There's a promised marriage, you will learn,
That supersedes my husband's recent plan-
The marriage of Valère and Mariane.
This marriage you will openly support,
Without a single quibble, and, in short,
Renounce the unjust power of a man
Who'd give his own daughter, Mariane,
To another when she's promised to Valère.
In return, my silence-
basood
85
125
130
135
140
145
11501
MOLIERE
Something besides your infamy came clear:
Heaven in its great wisdom brought me here,
To witness and then give my father proof
Of the hypocrisy of his Tartuffe,
This so-called saint anointed from above,
Speaking to my father's wife of love!
ELMIRE Damis, there is a lesson to be learned,
And there is my forgiveness to be earned.
I promised him. Don't make me take it back.
It's not my nature to see as an attack
Such foolishness as this, or see the need
To tell my husband of the trivial deed.
DAMIS So, you have your reasons, but I have mine.
To grant this fool forgiveness? I decline.
To want to spare him is a mockery,
Because he's more than foolish, can't you see?
This fanatic in his insolent pride,
Brought chaos to my house, and would divide
Me and my father-unforgivable!
What's more, he's made my life unlivable,
As he undermines two true love affairs,
Mine and Valère's sister, my sister and Valère's!
Father must hear the truth about this man.
Heaven helped me-I must do what I can
To use this chance. I'd deserve to lose it,
If I dropped it now and didn't use it.
ELMIRE Damis-
DAMIS
No, please, I have to follow through.
I've never felt as happy as I doy unite
Right now. And don't try to dissuade me-
I'll have my revenge. If you forbade me,
I'd still do it, so you don't have to bother.
I'll finish this for good. Here comes my father.
3.5
(ORGON, DAMIS, TARTUFFE, ELMIRE]
DAMIS Father! You have arrived. Let's celebrate! addig
I have a tale that I'd like to relate.
It happened here and right before my eyes,
I offer it to you-as a surprise!
For all your love, you have been repaid
With duplicity. You have been betrayed
By your dear friend here, whom I just surprised
Making verbal love, I quickly surmised,
To your wife. Yes, this is how he shows you
How he honors you-he thinks he knows you
But as your son, I know you mul
You demand recu
35TERE
Of the audacious truth that I love you,
That only you can make this wish come true,
That through your grace, my offering's received,
And accepted, and that I have achieved
Salvation of a sort, and by your grace,
I could be content in this low place.
It all depends on you, at your behest-
Am I to be tormented or be blest?
You are my welfare, solace, and my hope,
But, whatever your decision, I will cope.
Will I be happy? I'll rely on you.
If you want me to be wretched, that's fine, too.
ELMIRE Well, what a declaration! How gallant!
But I'm surprised you want the things you want.
It seems your heart could use a talking to-
It's living in the chest of someone who
Proclaims to be pious-
TARTUFFE
-And so I am.
My piety's a true thing-not a sham,
But I'm no less a man, so when I find
Myself with you, I quickly lose
My heart is captured and, with it, my thought.
my mind.
Yet since I know the cause, I'm not distraught.
Words like these from me must be alarming,
But it is your beauty that's so charming,
I cannot help myself, I am undone.
And I'm no angel, nor could I be one.
If my confession earns your condemnation,
Then blame your glance for the annihilation
Of my command of this: my inmost being.
A surrender of my soul is what you're seeing.
Your eyes blaze with more than human splendor,
And that first look had the effect to render
Powerless the bastions of my heart.
gaze
No fasting, tears or prayers, no pious art
Could shield my soul from your celestial
Which I will worship till the End of Days."
A thousand times my eyes, my sighs have told
The truth that's in my heart. Now I am bold,
Encouraged by your presence, so I say,
With my true voice, will this be the day
You condescend to my poor supplication,
Offered up with devout admiration,
And save my soul by granting this request:
Accept this love I've lovingly confessed
Your honor has, of cou
And
slupther were my own transports of zeal,
which carried me away with how I feel.
Comed by impulses, though always pure,
heless, intense in how
I'm sure
That salvation is your only care.
ping her fingertips) Yes, you're right, and
so my fervor there
Ouch! You're squeezing too hard.
-comes from this zeal...
I didn't mean to squeeze. How does this feel?
He puts his hand on ELMIRE's knee.)
Your hand-what is it doing...?
So tender,
TARTUFFE 3.3
LIVE
The fabric of your dress, a sweet surrender
Under my hand-
I'm quite ticklish. Please, don't.
She moves her chair back, and TARTUFFE moves his forward.]
E I want to touch this lace-don't fret, I won't.
R's marvelous! I so admire the trade
Of making lace. Don't tell me you're afraid.
NIE What? No. But getting back to business now,
It seems my husband plans to break a vow
And offer you his daughter. Is this true?
E He mentioned it, but I must say to you,
The wondrous gifts that catch my zealous eye,
I see quite near in bounteous supply.
EMRE Not earthly things for which you would atone.
FFE My chest does not contain a heart of stone..
ELMIRE Well, I believe your eyes follow your soul,
And your desires have heaven as their goal.
TILFFE The love that to eternal beauty binds us
Doesn't stint when temporal beauty finds us.
Our senses can as easily be charmed
When by an earthly work we are disarmed.
You are a rare beauty, without a flaw,
And in your presence, I'm aroused with awe
But for the Author of All Nature, so,
My heart has ardent feelings, even though
I feared them at first, questioning their source.
Had I been ambushed by some evil force?
I felt that I must hide from this temptation:
You. My feelings threatened my salvation.
Yes, I found this sinful and distressing,
Until I saw your beauty as a blessing!
So now my passion pour
183
50
55
60What more proof do you need? You are insane!
What are you trying to do?
A stop this nonsense! Come here both of you.
Bring you two together! And end this fight.
so stupid Yes?
To what purpose?
No. It wasn't right
The way she spoke to me. Didn't you hear?
Tour voices are still ringing in my ear.
The way he treated me-you didn't see?
Saw and heard it all. Now listen to me.
The only thing she wants, Valère, is you.
I can attest to that right now. It's true.
And Mariane, he wants you for his wife,
And only you. On that I'll stake my life.
ANE He told me to be someone else's bride!
She asked for my advice and I replied!
ONE You're both impossible. What can I do?
Give your hand-
EXICÈRE
What for?
PORINE
Come on, you.
Now yours, Mariane-don't make me shout.
Come on!
MARIANE
All right. But what is this about?
DORINE Here. Take each other's hand and make a link.
You love each other better than you think.
VER Mademoiselle, this is your hand I took,
You think you could give me a friendly look?
MARIANE pecks at VALÈRE and smiles.]
DORINE It's true. Lovers are not completely sane.
VIRE Mariane, haven't I good reason to complain?
Be honest. Wasn't it a wicked ploy?
To say-
MARIANE You think I told you that with joy?
And you confronted me.
DORINE
Another time.
This marriage to Tartuffe would be a crime,
We have to stop it.
TARTUFFE 2.479
MARIANE
So, what can we do?
Tell us.
DORINE All sorts of things involving you.
It's all nonsense and your father's joking.
But if you play along, say, without choking.
And give your consent, for the time being,
He'll take the pressure off, thereby freeing
All of us to find a workable plan
TI
100
105
110
115
120
125
130DORINE If someone is to go, let it be me.
Yes, I can't wait to leave your company.
Madame is coming down from her salon,
And wants to talk to you, if you'll hang on.
TARTUFFE Of course. Most willingly.
DORINE (aside)
I'm right. I always knew that's how he felt.
TARTUFFE Is she coming soon?
Look at him melt.
DORINE
Yes, here she is in person, I believe.
You want me to leave?
3.3
[ELMIRE, TARTUFFE]
TARTUFFE Ah, may heaven in all its goodness give
Eternal health to you each day you live,
Bless your soul and body, and may it grant
The prayerful wishes of this supplicant.
ELMIRE Yes, thank you for that godly wish, and please,
Let's sit down so we can talk with ease.
the
TARTUFFE Are you recovered from your illness now?
ELMIRE My fever disappeared, I don't know how.
TARTUFFE My small prayers, I'm sure, had not
Though I was on my knees many an hour.
Each fervent prayer wrenched from my simple soul
Was made with your recovery as its goal.
ELMIRE I find your zeal a little disconcerting.
TARTUFFE I can't enjoy my health if you are hurting,
Your health's true worth, I can't begin to tell.
I'd give mine up, in fact, to make
ELMIRE Though you stretch Christian charity too far,
Your thoughts are kind, however strange they are.
TARTUFFE You merit more, that's in my humble view.
ELMIRE I need a private space to talk to you.
you well.
I think that this will do-what do you say?
TARTUFFE
Excellent choice. And this is a sweet day,
To find myself here tête-à-tête with you,
That I've begged heaven for this, yes, is true,
And now it's granted to my great relief.
ELMIRE Although our conversation will be brief,
Please open up your heart and tell me all.
You must hide nothing now, however small.
TARTUFFE I long to show you my entire soul,
My need for truth I can barely control.
I'll take this time, also, to clear the air-
The criticisms I have brought to bear
Around the visits that your charms att
Were never aimed at you
power,
1080 1 MOLIERE
To postpone the wedding, in this way;
One day you're sick and that can take a week.
Another day you're better but can't speak,
And we all know you have to say "I do,"
Or the marriage isn't legal. And that's true.
Now bad omens-would he have his daughter
Married when she's dreamt of stagnant water,
Or broken a mirror or seen the dead?
He may not care and say it's in your head,
But you will be distraught in your delusion,
And require bed rest and seclusion.
I do know this-if we want to succeed,
You can't be seen together. [To VALÈRE] With all speed,
Go, and gather all your friends right now,
Have them insist that Orgon keep his vow.
Social pressure helps. Then to her brother.
All of us will work on her stepmother.
Let's go.
VALÈRE
Whatever happens, can you see?
My greatest hope is in your love for me.
MARIANE Though I don't know just what Father will do,
I do know I belong only to you.
VALERE You put my heart at ease! I swear I will...
DORINE It seems that lovers' tongues are never still.
Out, I tell you.
VALERE (taking a step and returning) One last-
DORINE
You go out this way, yes, and you go that.
3.1
[DAMIS, DORINE]
DAMIS May lightning strike me dead, right here and now,
Call me a villain, if I break this vow:
Forces of heaven or earth won't make me sway
From this my
No more chat!
DORINE
Your father only said what he intends
To happen. The real event depends
On many things and something's bound to slip,
Between this horrid cup and his tight lip.
DAMIS That this conceited fool Father brought here
Has plans? Well, they'll be ended-do not fear.
DORINE Now stop that! Forget him. Leave him alone.
Leave him to your stepmother. He is prone,
This Tartuffe, to indulge her every whim
So let her use her power mun
It does soom
Let's not get carried away.
IN
154(15
That's in the past
Because you said so honestly and fast
That I should take the one bestowed on me.
I'm nothing but obedient, you see.
Sayes, I'll take him. That's my declaration.
Since that's your advice and expectation.
win Isee you re using me as an excuse,
Any pretest, so you can cut me loose.
ou didn't think I'd notice-I'd be blind
To the fact that you'd made up your mind?
And so it's plain to see,
How true. Well said.
KÉRE
Your heart never felt a true love for me.
MAN If you want to, you may think that is true.
It's clear this thought has great appeal for you.
ist If I want? I will, but I'm offended
To my very soul. But your turn's ended,
And I can win this game we're playing at:
I've someone else in mind.
I don't doubt that.d
MARIANE
Your good points-
Oh, let's leave them out of this.
VALÈRE
I've very few-in fact, I am remiss.
I must be. Right? You've made that clear to me.
But I know someone, hearing that I'm free,
To make up for my loss, will eagerly consent.
MANE The loss is not that bad. You'll be content
With your new choice, replacement, if you will. I
VERE I will. And I'll remain contented still,
In knowing you're as happy as I am.
A woman tells a man her love's a sham.
The man's been fooled and his honor blighted.
He can't deny his love is unrequited,
Then he forgets this woman totally,
And if he can't, pretends, because, you see,
It is ignoble conduct and weak, too,
Loving someone who does not love you.
MARIANE What a fine, noble sentiment to heed.
VALERE And every man upholds it as his creed.
What? You expect me to keep on forever
Loving you after you blithely sever
The bond between us, watching as you go
Into another's arms and not bestow
This heart you've cast away upon someone
Who might welcome-
MARIANE
I wish it were done.
That's exactly what I want, you see.
VALERE That's what you want?
MARIANE
Yes.
40
4578 1 MOLIERE
VALÈRE
I'll grant your wish.
MARIANE
VALERE
Please do.
Just don't forget,
Whose fault it was when you, filled with regret,
Realize that you forced me out the door.
True.
MARIANE
VALERE
You've set the example and what's more,
I'll match you with my own hardness of heart.
You won't see me again, if I depart.
MARIANE That's good!
Then let it be.
[VALERE goes to exit, but when he gets to the door, he returns.]
What?
What?
VALERE
MARIANE
VALÈRE
MARIANE
VALERE Well, I'll be on my way, then.
[He goes, stops.]
VALÈRE
DORINE Come here.
VALERE
MARIANE Me? You must be dreaming.
VALÈRE
Good-bye, then.
You said...?
MARIANE
Good-bye.
DORINE
I am here to say,
You both are idiots! What's this about?
I left you two alone to fight it out,
To see how far you'd go. You're quite a pair
In matching tit for tat-Hold on, Valère!
Where are you going?
Did you
I'll go away.
Just stop.
VALÈRE No. It's settled.
What, Dorine? You spoke?
This lady. Do not try to change my mind.
I'm doing what she wants.
DORINE
You are so blind.
MARIANE
DORINE Come back here at once.
I'm upset and will not provoke
DORINE
Oh, is that so?
MARIANE He can't stand to look at me, I know.
He wants to go away, so please let him.
No, I shall leave so I can forget him.
DORINE Where are you going?
Nothing at all.
call?
Leave me alone..
MARIANE
Won't bring me. I'm not a child, you see.
VALERE She's tortured by the very sight of me.
It's better that I free her from her nain
botong
No. Even that tone74 1
MOLIERE
Yes, with all my might.
MARIANE
DORINE He loves you just as much?
MARIANE
I think that's right.
DORINE And it's to the altar you're both heading?
MARIANE
Yes.
DORINE
So what about this other wedding?
MARIANE I'll kill myself. That's what I've decided.
DORINE What a great solution you've provided!
To get out of trouble, you plan to die!
Immediately? Or sometime, by and by?
MARIANE Oh, really, Dorine, you're not my friend,
Unsympathetic-
DORINE
I'm at my wit's end.
Talking to you whose answer is dying.
Who, in a crisis, just gives up trying.
MARIANE What do you want of me, then?
DORINE
Love needs a resolute heart to survive.
MARIANE In my love for Valère, I'm resolute.
But the next step is his.
Come alive!
DORINE
And so, you're mute?
MARIANE What can I say? It's the job of Valère,
His duty, before I go anywhere,
To deal with my father-
DORINE
-Then, you'll stay.
"Orgon was born bizarre" is what some say.
If there were doubts before, we have this proof-
He is head over heels for his Tartuffe,
And breaks off a marriage that he arranged.
Valère's at fault if your father's deranged?
MARIANE But my refusal will be seen as pride
And, worse, contempt. And I have to hide
My feelings for Valère, I must not show
That I'm in love at all. If people know,
Then all the modesty my sex is heir to
Will be gone. There's more: how can I bear to
Not be a proper daughter to my father?
DORINE No, no, of course not. God forbid we bother
The way the world sees you. What people see,
What other people think of us, should be
Our first concern. Besides, I see the truth:
You really want to be Madame Tartuffe.
What was I thinking, urging opposition
To Monsieur Tartuffe! This proposition,
To merge with him-he's such a catch!
In fact, for you, he's just the perfect match.
He's much respected, everywhere he goes,
And his ruddy complexion nearly glows.
And as his wife, imagine the delight
bosboodOf being near him, every day and night.
And vital Oh, my dear, you won't want more.
Oh heaven help me!
How your soul will soar,
Seving this marriage down to the last drop,
wah such a handsome
All right! You can stop!
Jest help me. Please. And tell me there's a way
Te sve me. I'll do whatever you say.
TARTUFEL 2.375
Each daughter must choose always to say yes
To what her father wants, no more and no less.
If he wants to give her an ape to marry,
Then she must do it, without a query.
But it's a happy fate! What is this frown?
You go by wagon to his little town,
Lager cousins, uncles, aunts will greet you
And will call you "sister" when they meet you,
Because you're family now. Don't look so grim.
You will so adore chatting with them.
Welcomed by the local high society,
You'll be expected to maintain propriety
And sit straight, or try to, in the folding chair
They offer you, and never, ever stare
At the wardrobe of the bailiff's wife
Because you'll see her every day for life."
Let's not forget the village carnival!
Where you'll be dancing at a lavish ball
To a bagpipe orchestra of locals,
An organ grinder's monkey doing vocals-
And your husband-
MARIANE
-Dorine, I beg you, please,
Help me. Should I get down here on my knees?
DORINE Can't help you.
Please, Dorine, I'm begging you!
That just not true!
My darling Dorine...
MARIANE
DORINE And you deserve this man.
MARIANE
DORINE Oh yes? What changed?
MARIANE
DORINE No.
MARIANE
You can't be this mean.
I love Valère. I told you and it's true.
DORINE Who's that? Oh. No, Tartuffe's the one for you.
MARIANE You've always been completely on my side.
DORINE No more. I sentence you to be Tartuffified!
MARIANE It seems my
fate has not the power to move you,
So I'll seek my solace and remove to
at
100
105MOLIERE
A private place for me in my despair.
To end the misery that brought me here.
(MARIANE starts to exit.)
DORINE
Wait! Wait! Come back! Please don't go out that door.
I'll help you. I'm not angry anymore.
MARIANE If I am forced into this martyrdom,
You see, I'll have to die, Dorine.
DORINE
2.4
(VALÈRE, MARIANE, DORINE]
VALERE So I've just heard some news that's news to me,
And very fine news it is, do you agree?
MARIANE What?
VALÈRE
Oh come,
Give up this torment. Look at me-I swear.
We'll find a way. Look, here's your love, Valère.
[DORINE moves to the side of the stage.]
You have plans for marriage I didn't know.
You're going to marry Tartuffe. Is this so?
MARIANE My father has that notion, it is true.
VALÈRE Madame, your father promised-
MARIANE
He changed his mind, announced this change to me,
-me to you?
Just minutes ago...
VALÈRE
Quite seriously?
MARIANE It's his wish that I should marry this man.
VALERE And what do you think of your father's plan?
MARIANE I don't know.
VALÈRE
Honest words-better than lies.
MARIANE
VALÈRE
You don't know?
MARIANE
VALÈRE
No.
No?
MARIANE
What do you advise?
VALERE I advise you to... marry Tartuffe. Tonight.
MARIANE You advise me to...
VALÈRE
Yes.
That's right.
Consider it. It's an obvious choice.
MARIANE I'll follow your suggestion and rejoice..
VALERE I'm sure that you can follow it with ease.
MARIANE Just as you gave it. It will be a breeze.
VALÈRE Just to please you was my sole intent.
MARIANE To please you, I'll do it and be content.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
VALERE And this is love to you? I am perplexed.
Was it a sham when you-
DORINE
Really?74 1
MOLIERE
Yes, with all my might.
MARIANE
DORINE He loves you just as much?
MARIANE
I think that's right.
DORINE And it's to the altar you're both heading?
MARIANE
Yes.
DORINE
So what about this other wedding?
MARIANE I'll kill myself. That's what I've decided.
DORINE What a great solution you've provided!
To get out of trouble, you plan to die!
Immediately? Or sometime, by and by?
MARIANE Oh, really, Dorine, you're not my friend,
Unsympathetic-
DORINE
I'm at my wit's end.
Talking to you whose answer is dying.
Who, in a crisis, just gives up trying.
MARIANE What do you want of me, then?
DORINE
Love needs a resolute heart to survive.
MARIANE In my love for Valère, I'm resolute.
But the next step is his.
Come alive!
DORINE
And so, you're mute?
MARIANE What can I say? It's the job of Valère,
His duty, before I go anywhere,
To deal with my father-
DORINE
-Then, you'll stay.
"Orgon was born bizarre" is what some say.
If there were doubts before, we have this proof-
He is head over heels for his Tartuffe,
And breaks off a marriage that he arranged.
Valère's at fault if your father's deranged?
MARIANE But my refusal will be seen as pride
And, worse, contempt. And I have to hide
My feelings for Valère, I must not show
That I'm in love at all. If people know,
Then all the modesty my sex is heir to
Will be gone. There's more: how can I bear to
Not be a proper daughter to my father?
DORINE No, no, of course not. God forbid we bother
The way the world sees you. What people see,
What other people think of us, should be
Our first concern. Besides, I see the truth:
You really want to be Madame Tartuffe.
What was I thinking, urging opposition
To Monsieur Tartuffe! This proposition,
To merge with him-he's such a catch!
In fact, for you, he's just the perfect match.
He's much respected, everywhere he goes,
And his ruddy complexion nearly glows.
And as his wife, imagine the delight
bosboodAnd no one will be happy. If I can
Have another word. I'd like to say
Old men and young girls are married every day,
And the young girls stray, but who's to blame
For the loss of honor and good name?
The father, who proceeds to pick a mate,
Blindly, though it's someone she may hate,
Bears the sins the daughter may commit,
Imperiling his soul because of it.
If you do this, I vow you'll hear the bell.
As you die, summoning you to hell.
ORGON You think that you can teach me how to live.
PORNE If you'd just heed the lessons that I give.
oncos Can heaven tell me why I still endure
This woman's ramblings? Yet, of this I'm sure,
I know what's best for you-I'm your father.
I give you to Valère, without a bother.
But I hear he gambles and what's more,
He thinks things that a Christian would abhor.
It's from free thinking that all evils stem.
No wonder, then, at church, I don't see him.
DORINE Should he race there, if he only knew
Which Mass you might attend, and be on view?
He could wait at the door with holy water.
ORGON Go away. I'm talking to my daughter.
Think, my child, he is heaven's favorite!
And age in marriage? It can flavor it,
A sweet comfit suffused with deep, deep pleasure.
You will be loving, faithful, and will treasure
Every single moment-two turtledoves-
Next to heaven, the only thing he loves.
And he will be the only one for you.
No arguments or quarrels. You'll be true,
Like two innocent children, you will thrive,
In heaven's light, thrilled to be alive.
TARTUFFE 2.2 171
And as a woman, surely you must know
Wives mold husbands, like making pies from dough.
DORINE Four and twenty cuckolds baked in a pie.
ORGON Ugh! What a thing to say!
DORINE
Oh, really, why?
He's destined to be cheated on, it's true.
You know he'd always question her virtue.
ORGON Quiet! Just be quiet. I command it!
DORINE I'll do just that, because you do demand it!
But your best interests I will protect them
75
85
90
95
100
105
1101
ORGON Don't!
DORINE
But your honor is so dear to me,
How can you expose yourself to mockery?
ORGON Will you never be quiet!
DORINE
I can't let you do this thing to her,
It's against my conscience-
ORGON
MOLIERE
You vicious asp!
DORINE Sometimes the things you call me make me gasp.
And anger, sir, is not a pious trait.
ORGON It's your fault, girl! You make me irate!
I am livid! Why won't you be quiet!
DORINE I will. For you, I'm going to try it.
But I'll be thinking.
ORGON
Fine. Now, Mariane,
You have to trust-your father's a wise man.
I have thought a lot about this mating.
I've weighed the options-
It's infuriating
DORINE
Not to be able to speak.
DORINE
ORGON
And so
I'll say this. Of up and coming men I know,
He's not one of them, no money in the bank,
Not handsome.
He's a dog!
ORGON
Oh, dear sir.
He has manly traits.
And other gifts.
That's the truth. Arf! Arf! Be frank.
DORINE
And who will blame the fates
For failure of this marriage made in hell?
And whose fault will it be? Not hard to tell.
Since everyone you know will see the truth:
You gave away your daughter to Tartuffe.of
If I were in her place, I'd guarantee
No man would live the night who dared force me
Into a marriage that I didn't want.
There would be war with no hope of détente.
ORGON I asked for silence. This is what I get?us
DORINE You said not to talk to you. Did you forget?
ORGON What do you call what you are doing now?
DORINE Talking to myself.
I've chosen you a
If rated nis
You insolent cow!
ORGON
I'll wait for you to say just one more word.
I'm waiting...
[ORGON prepares to give DORINE a smack but each time he looks o
over at her, she stands silent and still.]
solo b
Just ignore her. Look at me,
husband whe
deo orl
130
140
145
150MOLIERE
DORINE
Oh sir, don't frown.
A smile is just a frown turned upside down.
Be happy, sir, because you've shared your scheme,
Even though it's just a crazy dream.
Because, dear sir, your daughter is not meant
For this zealot-she's too innocent.
She'd be alarmed by his robust desire
And question heaven's sanction of this fire
And then the gossip! Your friends will talk a lot.
Because you're a man of wealth and he is not.
Could it be your reasoning has a flaw-
Choosing a beggar for a son-in-law?
ORGON You, shut up! If he has nothing now
Admire that, as if it were his vow,
This poverty. His property was lost
Because he would not pay the deadly cost
Of daily duties nibbling life away,
Leaving him with hardly time to pray.
The grandeur in his life comes from devotion
To the eternal, thus his great emotion.
And at those moments, I can plainly see
What my special task has come to be:
To end the embarrassment he feels
And the sorrow he so nobly conceals
Of the loss of his ancestral domain.
With my money, I can end his pain.
I'll raise him up to be, because I can,
With my help, again, a gentleman.
DORINE So he's a gentleman. Does that seem vain?
Then what about this piety and pain?
Those with "domains" are those of noble birth.
A holy man's domain is not on earth.
It seems to me a holy man of merit
Wouldn't brag of what he might inherit-
Even gifts in heaven, he won't mention.
To live a humble life is his intention.
Yet he wants something back? That's just ambition
To feed his pride. Is that a holy mission?
You seem upset. Is it something I said?
I'll shut up. We'll talk of her instead.
Look at this girl, your daughter, your own blood.
How will her honor fare covered with mud?
Think of his age. So from the night they're wed,
Bliss, if there is any, leaves the marriage bed,
And she'll be tied unto this elderly person.
Her dedication to fidelity will worsen
And soon he will sprout horns,' your holur
3. The twMOLIERE
DORINE
Oh sir, don't frown.
A smile is just a frown turned upside down.
Be happy, sir, because you've shared your scheme,
Even though it's just a crazy dream.
Because, dear sir, your daughter is not meant
For this zealot-she's too innocent.
She'd be alarmed by his robust desire
And question heaven's sanction of this fire
And then the gossip! Your friends will talk a lot.
Because you're a man of wealth and he is not.
Could it be your reasoning has a flaw-
Choosing a beggar for a son-in-law?
ORGON You, shut up! If he has nothing now
Admire that, as if it were his vow,
This poverty. His property was lost
Because he would not pay the deadly cost
Of daily duties nibbling life away,
Leaving him with hardly time to pray.
The grandeur in his life comes from devotion
To the eternal, thus his great emotion.
And at those moments, I can plainly see
What my special task has come to be:
To end the embarrassment he feels
And the sorrow he so nobly conceals
Of the loss of his ancestral domain.
With my money, I can end his pain.
I'll raise him up to be, because I can,
With my help, again, a gentleman.
DORINE So he's a gentleman. Does that seem vain?
Then what about this piety and pain?
Those with "domains" are those of noble birth.
A holy man's domain is not on earth.
It seems to me a holy man of merit
Wouldn't brag of what he might inherit-
Even gifts in heaven, he won't mention.
To live a humble life is his intention.
Yet he wants something back? That's just ambition
To feed his pride. Is that a holy mission?
You seem upset. Is it something I said?
I'll shut up. We'll talk of her instead.
Look at this girl, your daughter, your own blood.
How will her honor fare covered with mud?
Think of his age. So from the night they're wed,
Bliss, if there is any, leaves the marriage bed,
And she'll be tied unto this elderly person.
Her dedication to fidelity will worsen
And soon he will sprout horns,' your holur
3. The tw
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