LEARN MORE...

Response Paper On Moliere S Tartuffe

Content type

User Generated

Subject

Literature

Type

Homework

Uploaded By

fgneqbanyq96

Pages

Showing Page:

1/4

Surname 1

Student’s Name:

Professor’s Name:

Course:

Date:

Response Paper on Moliere’s Tartuffe

Moliere’s Tartuffe became one of the most popular theatrical comedies following its

critique of the cultural and religious principles of the time. The story drew much attention

especially because it deviated from the conventional style of writing used by authors in the past

such as Shakespeare. Moliere opens the story with Madame Pernelle paying her son Orgon a

visit during which she sets out to criticize all the members of the family. However, she praises

Tartuffe, Orgon’s preferred suitor for his daughter Mariane, claiming that he is a symbol of true

piety and that all of them should follow his precepts (Molière 17). Unfortunately, Tartuffe is later

exposed for the religious hypocrite that he is after his attempt to take away Orgon’s property and

evict his family. In the story, the author attempts not to criticize religion but rather express the

difficulty in discerning true piety and false pious. The author’s use of religion and comedy makes

it a rather controversial piece at the time of its publication.

Comedy and religion in the neoclassical era were pole apart. The play was first presented

at a time when religion and society were closely linked under the French culture. In addition, the

church held enormous power which made piety an important aspect of everyday life. As a result,

any form of disagreement or criticism towards religion was frowned upon which explains the

controversy surrounding Moliere’s work. In fact, history has it that the original play was banned

from publication causing the author to spend over five years making edits that would align the

Showing Page:

2/4

Surname 2

plot and characters to the acceptable norms of the time (Cardullo 174). It is important to observe

that the true measure of literally work in the neoclassical era was the approval of the courts

which mainly based their judgement on religious principles. While comedy was acceptable at the

time, it was only seen as a form of class entertainment rather than an element of critiquing

religion. On the contrary, tragedy was seen as a more profound form of literature which meant

that a piece such as Tartuffe was discredited on multiple levels.

The main controversy in the story is banked on the understanding of comedy. Scholars in

the past including Plato, Aristotle, Freud and Eco wrote about comedy and the reasons for

laughter. The main challenge is to establish whether or not laughter is innocent. Moliere and

Plato agree that laughter is the means through which human vices are corrected. Freud’s

Understanding of laughter comes close to Plato’s and Moliere’s understanding as he sees it as the

means through which human beings release uncanny emotions and aggression (Morreall 56).

However, Eco, sees laughter as evil. Given these explanations of laughter and its origin, it makes

sense why Moliere’s play was such a controversial piece. Regardless, the play served as an

important advocate of the importance of comedy in literature. In the story, the author uses

comedy to introduce a voice of reason into the senseless submission to religion without

questioning. “He’s a fraud, this man whom you adore.”, says Madame Pernelle as she cautions

Mariane about the price she would pay for being in love with Valere (Molière 176). Comedy is

applied through the open criticism of Valere’s character by the overbearing mother in law despite

the fact that he is a man of sound character. In a similar way, the people are unable to separate

true piety from hypocrisy in their everyday practice of religion.

Comedy and religion are two aspects that tend to differ significantly. Often, comedy

occurs as an offense to religion. However, comedy often brings out the blunt truth and can be

Showing Page:

3/4

End of Preview - Want to read all 4 pages?

Access Now

Unformatted Attachment Preview

Surname 1 Student’s Name: Professor’s Name: Course: Date: Response Paper on Moliere’s Tartuffe Moliere’s Tartuffe became one of the most popular theatrical comedies following its critique of the cultural and religious principles of the time. The story drew much attention especially because it deviated from the conventional style of writing used by authors in the past such as Shakespeare. Moliere opens the story with Madame Pernelle paying her son Orgon a visit during which she sets out to criticize all the members of the family. However, she praises Tartuffe, Orgon’s preferred suitor for his daughter Mariane, claiming that he is a symbol of true piety and that all of them should follow his precepts (Molière 17). Unfortunately, Tartuffe is later exposed for the religious hypocrite that he is after his attempt to take away Orgon’s property and evict his family. In the story, the author attempts not to criticize religion but rather express the difficulty in discerning true piety and false pious. The author’s use of religion and comedy makes it a rather controversial piece at the time of its publication. Comedy and religion in the neoclassical era were pole apart. The pl ...
Purchase document to see full attachment

Tags: Moliere Tartuffe cultural and religious principles Comedy and religion neoclassical era theatrical comedies