I think the surrounding theme of Tartuffe is religious hypocrisy versus sincere Christian morality. Tartuffe, whom Orgon thinks highly of, is actually the representation of the former. On the surface, he is religiously dedicated and holy. But on the inside, he practices a life of crime, deceit, and immorality. An example would be when he instructed his messenger to tell anyone who implores that he was out helping the poor when in actuality, he was trying to make a move on his friend's wife. Or, when he takes advantage of Orgon's graciousness and lectures everyone else in the house how to "properly act". This false outward appearance soon convinces Orgon to pawn off his entire estate.
The play of Tartuffe wasn't meant to down religion, but to expose the possibility of hypocrisy in it. This point can be seen in Cleante's statement, about how a righteous man does not commend himself but intends to not be obviously pious to the public. Moliere is just purposing religious hypocrisy takes the respect away from true religious devotion, that a few "bad apples" ruin the entire bunch.
By the way, I commented on posts by Breanna Poole and Joshua Evers.
The play of Tartuffe wasn't meant to down religion, but to expose the possibility of hypocrisy in it. This point can be seen in Cleante's statement, about how a righteous man does not commend himself but intends to not be obviously pious to the public. Moliere is just purposing religious hypocrisy takes the respect away from true religious devotion, that a few "bad apples" ruin the entire bunch.
By the way, I commented on posts by Breanna Poole and Joshua Evers.
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