Analysis of How Tartuffe Manipulates Orgon in Molière’s Play

In Tartuffe by Molière, the hypocrisy of Tartuffe has completely confused Orgon. Although Orgon’s family has seen Tartuffe's true face and try to hinder Orgon. But due to being so devout and obsessed, Orgon almost sabotaged his family. The first reason that Tartuffe can easily manipulate Orgon is because of the obsession devotion of Orgon. He fell into the illusion of Tartuffe - a hypocrite, claiming to be a religious enthusiast and always proved to be pious. Orgon is the embodiment of a powerful man in a wealthy family, always carrying an invisible fear of being damned in hell. And Tartuffe, under the eyes of Orgon being the embodiment of paradise, a living Saint. And it is also because of that obsession devotion has broken the happy life of Orgon’s family. This was shown when scene IV opens, Dorine told Orgon about his wife's recent illnesses, but Orgon was only interested in Tartuffe's condition. Orgon did not care about his wife but always felt sorry for Tartuffe's appetite. Orgon also decided to let Mariane marry Tartuffe, hand over her entire property and land to Tartuffe and allow him to stay beside Elmire. Even when Cleante - a wise man and knowledgeable about Christian, explained to Orgon about the true devotion and hypocrite “They decline any fanfare for their virtue;/ They don't indulge in vain ostentation;/ Their humane faith finds form in moderation/ They never censure all of our actions,/ For they sense the vain pride in such transactions.”. But it was fanaticism and ignorance that covered Orgon's eyes from the truth “But your man, in truth, is not made from such steel./ In good faith, perhaps, you praise his great zeal,/ But I think you're dazed by his meaningless Glitter.”

Besides, Tartuffe shows that he is a hypocrite, clever, insidious, sly and deeply understands the mentality of people so he easily to manipulate and exploit Orgon. When Damis accused Tartuffe of flirting with Elmire in Act III, Tartuffe received all of his sins. He made Damis say nothing more by defending Damis, making Orgon more convinced of his moral and nobility, so he didn't resent such trifles with Damis. Tartuffe also expressed himself as a lovebird, a sensual passion when demanding Elmire a specific love. He used words that should have been religious, for faith to flirt with Elmire. “Our senses can be quite easily charmed/ by the perfect Earthly works that God has formed./ His glory is mirrored in those like you” or “He has molded your face with such sublime art/ that it surprises the eye and transports the heart,/ and I can't gaze upon you, you perfect creature,/ without worshipping in you both God and nature”. Obviously, this is not the words of a true priest. Tartuffe always cleverly covered his guilty tone in a moral voice. Until Orgon come to his senses, he is turning to curse Tartuffe. Tartuffe still insisted on taking God out to justify his arguments.

In conclusion, Orgon is so obsessed but lack of understanding about religion so he can't see the true face of Tartuffe hypocrite. The consequence is that Tartuffe comfortably manipulates Orgon’s family. Tartuffe also showed his subtlety, insidious when he easily tricked Orgon to get Orgon’s property and land.