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Theme Of Deception In Tartuffe

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Tartuffe: A Tale of Bitter Deception Charles Baudelaire once said, “The devil's finest trick is to persuade you that he does not exist” (Baudelaire). Within the vast world of the theatre, one will irrefutably find that deception lies at the heart of evil. Despite whether or not one believes in the devil, he or she can pinpoint deception at the root of all evil. Molière’s well-known drama Tartuffe, which was first premiered in 1664, provides a captivating glimpse into the world of evil and deception. In pursuit of material wealth, Tartuffe successfully deceives Orgon and almost deceives the Kingdom, but in the end justice runs its course and he is thrown in jail. While residing the house of Orgon, Tartuffe is quoted saying, “There’ll be no sins for which we must atone, cause evil exists only when it is known” (Molière). Throughout the play, Tartuffe attests to the validity of these words as he successfully deceives Orgon within the confines of his own home. The initial sight of Tartuffe’s fraudulence took place in the church, when Orgon found him impoverished, praying for money. From this moment on, Tartuffe was able to hack into the mind of Orgon and manipulate him for his own benefit. Left feeling sorry for the measly …show more content…

However, in Tartuffe’s case, his manipulation was unjustified and indefensible. Entering a religious institution and claiming false piety in the pursuit of material wealth is an evil that has no place in the world (except for a jail cell). This reprehensible act of duplicity highlights the fear and concern that God displays in Everyman. At the beginning of the play, God goes on a long rant about how people are serving themselves, rather than him, and are living purely for their own pleasure (“Everyman”). Tartuffe’s illusive behavior throughout his time at Orgon’s house undeniably reflects this selfish pursuit of pleasure that is portrayed in

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