Tartuffe facts for kids
Tartuffe, or The Imposter (French: Tartuffe, ou l'Imposteur) is a famous play written by the French playwright Molière. It was first performed on May 12, 1664, at the grand palace of Versailles in France. The play is about a person who pretends to be very religious and good, but is actually dishonest and uses their fake goodness to trick others. This kind of behavior is called hypocrisy.
Contents
What is Tartuffe About?
The Story of a Tricky Guest
The play tells the story of a wealthy man named Orgon, who is completely fooled by Tartuffe. Tartuffe is a guest in Orgon's home. He acts extremely religious and humble, always talking about God and showing off his piety. Orgon is so impressed by Tartuffe's fake holiness that he believes everything Tartuffe says. He even thinks Tartuffe is a better person than his own family!
Orgon's Family Worries
Orgon's family, including his wife Elmire, his son Damis, and his daughter Mariane, can see right through Tartuffe's act. They know he is a fraud and a hypocrite. They try to warn Orgon, but he refuses to listen. He is completely under Tartuffe's spell. Orgon even decides that his daughter Mariane should marry Tartuffe, even though she is in love with someone else!
How Tartuffe Tries to Take Over
Tartuffe is not just a guest; he wants to take over Orgon's life and wealth. He tries to trick Orgon into giving him all his money and property. He also tries to flirt with Orgon's wife, Elmire, even though he pretends to be a holy man. This shows just how sneaky and dishonest Tartuffe truly is.
The Family's Plan to Expose Tartuffe
Orgon's family tries many times to show him Tartuffe's true colors. Eventually, Elmire comes up with a clever plan. She asks Orgon to hide under a table while she talks to Tartuffe. During their conversation, Tartuffe starts to flirt with Elmire, thinking Orgon is not around. This allows Orgon to hear Tartuffe's real intentions and finally realize he has been tricked.
The Play's Big Ending
After Orgon discovers Tartuffe's dishonesty, he tries to kick him out. But Tartuffe has already tricked Orgon into signing over all his property. Tartuffe then tries to use the law to take everything from Orgon. Luckily, the King of France steps in. The King's officer reveals that Tartuffe is a known criminal who has been tricking people for a long time. The King makes sure that justice is served, and Tartuffe is arrested. Orgon gets his property back, and his family is safe.
Why is Tartuffe Important?
A Play About Honesty
Tartuffe is a very important play because it teaches us about honesty and how to spot people who are not sincere. It shows that sometimes, people who act the most religious or good might be hiding something. Molière wanted to make people think about how easy it is to be fooled by appearances.
Molière's Message
Molière was a master at using comedy to make serious points. In Tartuffe, he uses humor to criticize hypocrisy and fake piety. The play encourages people to be careful about who they trust and to look beyond what people pretend to be. It reminds us that true goodness comes from within, not from outward show.
A Timeless Story
Even though Tartuffe was written hundreds of years ago, its message is still important today. We can still find people who pretend to be something they are not, whether in politics, social media, or everyday life. The play helps us think critically and understand human nature better. It's a classic that is still performed and enjoyed all over the world.
See also
In Spanish: Tartufo para niños
