William Moliere s Tartuffe As A Threat Of Reason

The Role of Reason in Religion What happens when hypocrisy invades religion in the absence of reason? This is the very question that Moliere addresses in Tartuffe as he establishes his characters. In satire characters are usually very one dimensional and unchanging. They are simply there to represent an idea. Therefore, rather than using character development, Moliere uses character establishment to shape his story and theme. This is most notably seen in the last two scenes of act one in Tartuffe as he establishes the characters of Orgon, Cleante and Tartuffe. In the establishment of these three characters Moliere forms a strong point about reason’s role in religion and the rightful way to pursue genuine belief. In the last scenes of act one in Tartuffe Orgon’s character is established by his attitude towards his family, his misplaced concern for Tartuffe and his blindness towards Tartuffe’s hypocrisy. As Orgon makes his entrance into the story, he inquires of his brother-in-law that state of his estate. Dorine reveals that the lady of the house has been very sick even going as far to say that a bleeding â€Å"has saved her from the grave.† Orgon takes the information in without acknowledging it. His only concern is for Tartuffe, the religious man he has taken in and aspires to be like. This nonchalant attitude toward his family reveals disconnect between him and his family that is only made up for in his relationship to Tartuffe. This replacement of a practical stranger for