What happens if hypocrisy infects religion without any reason? Moliere poses this question in Tartuffe, his political-social satire. Characters in satire are often one-dimensional, unchanging and only exist to represent a particular idea. Molière does not develop characters, but instead uses them to establish the story and theme. In the two last scenes of Tartuffe’s act one, Moliere establishes Orgon and Cleante. By establishing the characters of Orgon, Cleante and Tartuffe, Moliere is able to make a powerful point about the importance of reason in religion as well as the correct way to follow true beliefs.
Orgon’s character in the final scenes of Tartuffe act 1 is defined by his attitude toward his family, Tartuffe and his hypocrisy. Orgon’s character is established as he asks his sister-in-law about the condition of his home. Dorine tells Orgon that the woman of the house was very ill, and that she even went so far as to say that bleeding had saved her life. Orgon is only concerned about Tartuffe. The religious man that he has adopted and strives to emulate. This attitude of nonchalance toward his family shows a disconnect, which is only compensated for by his relationship with Tartuffe. Organ’s credibility is immediately put into question when a stranger replaces a member of the family. Orgon’s character is further cemented in the following scene when he argues with Cleante. Orgon tries to justify Tartuffe’s character to Cleante, but falls short with this remark: “This is a man…who…ha!…well, such a man.” This inability to come up with words to describe the man he venerates so highly reveals Orgon’s faith to be empty. This emptiness can be attributed to Orgon’s lack of reasoning. Tartuffe is a man he loves, but he doesn’t understand why. He lets someone else think for him. Cleante uses his argument to show his superiority to Orgon’s character. Cleante says, “Religious passion that is worn as a façade abuses what is sacred and mocks God.” Tartuffe, he claims, has committed this sin, by making a big show. Orgon declares him to be an atheist due to his disbelief of Tartuffe. Orgon’s call for blind belief in Tartuffe is a result of his refusal to study religion and define true religious beliefs. Cleante retorts that the accusation stems from the belief “reason cannot exist with the sacred”. He also suggests a philosophy to follow in order to achieve true religious belief. Cleante, whose character is based on reason, is positioned above Orgon. This increases the audience’s receptivity to Cleante and his philosophy.
Tartuffe is still not in the first act. Orgon & Cleante already have a good idea of his personality. Orgon portrays Tartuffe in a positive light and praises the religious piety of Tartuffe, but he does not provide any evidence to back up his belief in him. Cleante’s opinion of Tartuffe, due to his unreliable character which has already been established, is considered more authentic. Orgon describes Tartuffe as a religious man by saying, “The humble way he kissed and bowed the floor?” They could not hide their tears and fervent prayer to heaven. It was a man who wanted to be praised by others for his display of worship. Cleante condemns such worship, saying that real believers “do not groan in pain and prostrate themselves.” This implies that true devotion is internal and cannot be seen or celebrated. His credibility has made the audience more open-minded to his interpretations. Tartuffe can be portrayed as a self-serving hypocrite, who is only interested in gaining fortune. As he constructed this clever plot to live extravagantly, he could be viewed as someone who is rational and without religion. As such, Orgon is the antithesis of Cleante, who is the symbol of religious hypocrisy. This is because he worships God for nothing more than show and to praise himself. Cleante is the one who condemns such religious beliefs by telling Orgon “I’m sure you’re praising him quite sincere, I’m also certain you’ll have to pay dearly for it.”
The theme of the story is formed by these characters. Tartuffe is the embodiment of religious hypocrisy. Orgon represents religion without self-awareness or reason. Cleante is a character that represents a balance or medium between religion and reasoning. Orgon’s dire situation at the ending of the story shows that blind belief is not wise, and Tartuffe reveals his treachery in the final scene. Cleante’s philosophy remains as the one true path to religious belief and worship. This is the main point of this story. Moliere warns about the dangers of hypocrisy in religion and of religions that lack substance.
Moliere makes use of the characters’ one-dimensionality to establish a theme which is important for religion. The reader is prompted to doubt the credibility of the characters, and Molière encourages them to do so. He calls on the reader to use reason when it comes to religion, in order for him or her not be hypocritical. In the center of the tale is the call to reason. Both extremes of religion and reason are shown, and it is decided that a balance in between them will lead to true religion. The theme of this play is very strong, and it is still relevant today. Religious hypocrisy is prevalent and the danger that reason will disappear is always present.
