Moliere’s play “Tartuffe” is about a religious hypocrite, Tartuffe, who is able to manipulate a wealthy family man, Orgon, into believing that he is the way to go to heaven. Tartuffe is able to convince Orgon and his mother into thinking that he is a very religious man who does not sin. Orgon is blinded by this notion and allows Tartuffe to stay in his home and is forcing his daughter, Mariane, to marry him. Orgon’s family and maid are trying to convince him that Tartuffe is an imposter but he refuses to believe their accusations. Orgon is angry because of their accusations that he disinherits his son, Damis, and makes Tartuffe the sole heir to his fortune. It is only when Orgon witnesses Tartuffe trying to seduce his wife, Elmire that he realizes that he has been fooled. When he orders Tartuffe to leave his residence, Tartuffe seeks revenge by going to the king and obtaining all of Orgon’s property. The play ends with the King intervening and accusing Tartuffe of being an imposter and sends him to jail. Orgon couldn’t be happier with the king and leaves to thank him for his generosity. It is clear that Moliere has chosen the king to be the hero of the play. The king was only introduced at the end of the play giving the reader the impression that the king was chosen as the hero for a specific reason. There …show more content…
The King is a devout Catholic who has zero tolerance for any play that deals with religious hypocrisy. Moliere wrote “Tartuffe” in 1664, but he had to rewrite it several times in order to get it approved. After several revisions, Moliere adds the king at the end of the play restoring order and portrays him as the hero. The play was then approved in 1669. Moliere chose the king as the hero to please the king. He did this so the king would in turn approve Tartuffe and the people whom he reigned over could see that he can restore order and is a