Tartuffe Critique

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Author and Director Intent on Tartuffe
The plot of the play revolves around the failure to pay attention to reason in the life of significant people in the story. Such failure of not noticing what is precisely in front of one’s face is what makes most characters make wrong decisions that have adverse consequences. Orgon, for instance, is the principal character who is blindly deceived by Tartuffe on most of the cases, as he is a piety man. The moments he is deceived, the members of his family see through Tartuffe, know, and understand what he is. Cleante who is Orgon’s wise brother advises him on where and who he puts trust in unknowingly. He also sees that Tartuffe is a hypocrite who hides behind religion and yet he is a sinful man who plots on gaining wealth through false ways. Orgon tells his secrets to Tartuffe and even forces his daughter, whom he had betrothed to someone else to marry Tartuffe. Orgon banishes Damis from home since he spoke negatively of Tartuffe as allegedly tried to seduce his wife, Elmire. Eventually, the truth finds its way and Orgon sees the truth for what it is after seeing him try to seduce his wife. He casts Tartuffe out, and they become enemies. Tartuffe attempts to use the court to seize Orgon’s wealth and house. He was almost successful before the family proved how cunning he was. The author of the play, Moliere, wrote the comedy and stated his central themes as hypocrisy and how people used religion for the very wrong reasons.

He did not oppose religion but was skeptical of how people did not use logic in making decisions. The author was vehemently opposed by religious extremists who saw to its banning in the theatres (Molière, 12).
Moliere had written the play at a point in time when the Catholic Church profoundly influenced the society. The followers in the community would use it as a tool or equipment for satisfaction gain or dominion. Thus, the author wanted to explain how the people in the society hypocritically use religion virtues to alter the reasoning of other people into doing what they want. As an illustration, Tartuffe uses fake innocence and pity phrases in the eyes of Orgon to appear humbled. For example, he says “The most miserable of sinners, I.” Moreover, he continues and says, “I’m nothing but a heap of filth and crime.” On the other hand, the director of the movie version, Bill Alexander, uses the light props to oppose and satirically rebuke those in religion directly. His decision to apply bright accessories like light clothes in the set stipulate how Christians use the innocence of the religious virtues to gain. The director states that the movie only brings out the dramatic view of the events and therefore generates fun and laughter. Putting silliness in the plot brings about satire and the director maintains that using drama although not being what the author intended (Molière, 22). The intention is contrary, but the themes evidenced cut across the two aims. The original intentions of the author are still evidenced with the prime focus being on religion as a tool being used in the wrong ways and appeal to the eye of the victims. The other themes that are minor include the powers of the male individuals of the community. Gender discrimination is also a theme.
Works cited
Molière, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Tartuffe. Oberon Books, 2015.