Tartuffe, comedy in five acts by moliere, produced in 1664 and published in french in 1669 as le tartuffe. From 1664 to 1669, molieres classic farce tartuffe was banned from public performances. Elmire pretends interest in tartuffe just to expose him. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Download pdf le tartuffe free online new books in politics.
All units have a short, levelappropriate reading, comprehension, oral and written exercises including some grammar, web keywords, and of course, the answer key. The misanthrope, tartuffe, and other plays 2001 for oxford worlds classics are faithful to the original french verse form. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of tartuffe by moliere. Tartuffe was censored, even after moliere rewrote the play and renamed the main character panulphe to make it seem more secular. Tartuffe insists he doesnt really care for earthly things. Tartuffe plot summary, character breakdowns, context and analysis, and performance video clips. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Tartuffe makes for a funny, zippy little readwatch, especially when its in verse. Richard wilbur is the rarelydisputed champion of moliere. Ww47288 moliere 162273 combined all the traditional elements of comedy wit, slapstick, spectacle and satire with a deep understanding of characters to create richly sophisticated dramas which have always delighted audiences. Orgon, the head of a prosperous family, has taken in and been taken in by tartuffe, a man who purports to be holy, but is really a fraud.
The collection of dramaturgical information included in this guide highlights historical and social issues that will help one understand the context in which the play was written. If you sat in this seat 350 years ago, you would be risking excommunication and arrest. This dover edition, first published in 2000, contains the unabridged text of tartuffe, based on the 18thcentury translation from the french by h. Despite the best efforts of orgons family, tartuffe tricks orgon into signing over the deed to his house. In this student edition the french text is supplemented by a useful english introduction and notes on the text. Tartuffe questions and answers discover the community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on tartuffe. Jun 14, 2010 a scene from act iii of american universitys production of molieres tartuffe where damis seeks vengeance on tartuffe much to the dismay of elmire directed by karl kippola american university. Alone with tartuffe, orgon reveals that he plans to make tartuffe his sole heir and also his soninlaw. And if youre just making your way into this world, you may not even know where to begin. He had his share of applause from the king and from the public. Therefore, orgon instructs her to say that she finds tartuffe to be a very worthy man and that she would be delighted to be his wife. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The characters of tartuffe, elmire, and orgon are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles.
Moliere wrote tartuffe, the french comedic play in 1664. Yet in this story, those are the events that occur. Louis xiv religion a golden age moliere sources of molieres characters tartuffe. Films media group tartuffe ou limposteur in french. An actor as well as a playwright, the artist known as moliere experienced a great deal of success within his own lifetime, but faced severe. Consequently, the idea of characterizing tartuffe as an imposter, would miss the point. Pretty hard slogging to read through it for most of us though. The play proved both controversial and influential. He offers to leave if damis returns, wishes to obey heaven, but. Tartuffe, first performed as a threeact play before king louis xiv in 1664, and then in its official fiveact version in 1669, is perhaps molieres greatest accomplishment. The french upper class and the french roman catholics had spoken. In 1669, the restructuring of the french church caused the society to dissolve, and the ban on tartuffe was lifted. Controversial and popular from the time of its release, molieres tartuffe remains a biting satire aimed at religious hypocrisy.
Ironically disguises reveal the true natures of the wears. Cleante tries to discuss tartuffe with orgon, but fails and discovers that. While a father is supposed to manage a family to set up marriages for his children that secure both wealth and love, tartuffe is. Tartuffe as an imposter, womanizer, and scam artist. In molieres famous satire, tartuffe, a religious hypocrite, tries to get title to his friends estate by sending him to jail. There are lessons to be learned her mostly from cleant. Jeanbaptiste poquelin, or moliere, wrote tartuffe during the period in which the society was heavily under the influence of the catholic church. It was also published in english as the imposter tartuffe is a sanctimonious scoundrel who, professing extreme piety, is taken into the household of orgon, a wealthy man. Tartuffe is sort of a bum, but his religious ways fool everyone into thinking hes someone admirable that should be helped and cared for, since he acts in such ways. A scene from act iii of american universitys production of molieres tartuffe where damis seeks vengeance on tartuffe much to the dismay of elmire directed by. Tartuffe by moliere translated by richard wilbur university of. Summary of a level french sams issue 2 changes summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue page number guidance regarding the end of the speaking assessment has been updated 111 guidance on timing of the speaking assessment has been updated 161 this document is issue 2. Tartuffe was first written and performed during the reign of king louis xiv of france, which lasted from 1643 until the kings death in 1715.
Tartuffe, his most controversial play, which concerned religious hypocrisy. Many french people still love indulging in a classic novel. Lucky for you, weve got the lowdown, so if youre looking for unforgettable reading. In tartuffe, an impious trickster attempts to dupe the middleaged orgon. Jerid fox, scenic designer sunday, october 16, 2016 at 1pm take your theatregoing experience to the next level through an informative and entertaining. The tartuffe lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Talking about books that youve read is a great way to begin a conversation in french and to get to know native speakers.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. When seeing tartuffe, there are many lenses through which to view the play. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. This fusion brought french comedy to an unmatched level of artistry and inventiveness. But, cleante asks, surely you didnt have to accept damiss inheritance. The plot of tartuffe does not seem very credible that someone would be duped to this level by a wandering stranger. The central character in tartuffe is not the title character, but orgon, a reasonably well to do man of paris who is married to his second wife, elmire, and has a song, damis, and a daughter. Now, it is a beloved part of the western theatrical canon that finds new relevancy. Its piercing commentary on hypocrisy and impiety, its lighthearted wit and lucid prose, and its memorable titular character have left their mark on theater and literature. Only a very few, like maya slaters recent translation moliere. Nov 14, 2017 a level english literature the handmaids taleplot summary duration. Library of congress cataloginginpublication data moliere, 16221673. Moliere born jeanbaptiste poquelin in 1622 was a french playwright and actormanager. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on molieres tartuffe.
Orgon finds his daughter alone and asks her if she will obey him in all things. Orgon wont listen to their advice and breaks off the marriage of marianes engagement with valare to arrangements for her to marry tartuffe. Level b2c2 common european framework of reference for languages beautifully designed and illustrated easy reader complete with comprehension exercises. The church would not give in, and moliere was much despised for trying to undermine religion through his work. Loyal a bailiff serves eviction papers to orgon officer an officer of the court laurent tartuffe s lackey mme. Opening night is friday, october 28, 2016 with the reception at 7pm and the performance at 8pm. This is a 20 slide powerpoint presentation to use to introduce the play tartuffe by moliere before my students perform the play. Cleante later confronts tartuffe and tries to reason with him, but tartuffe will only respond in religious cliches, and as soon as the opportunity presents itself, he hastily excuses himself from the room.
As suggested in an essay on tartuffe audiences who concentrate on the character who titles the work may miss the authors point. Molieres main achievement was in raising the standard of french comedy to a level commensurate with french tragedy. Under the guise of ministering to the familys spiritual. The social, cultural, and political atmosphere that characterized the reign of louis xiv, known as the sun king, was so distinct that it lent itself to the name of an era in french history. Tartuffe and a select history of western theatrical censorship. Tartuffe, a 1664 verse comedy concerning a scoundrel who impersonates a holy man, and the bourgeois gentleman, a 1670 prose farce about the superficial characteristics of parisian nobility. With hundreds of years worth of content to catch up on, taking the plunge and immersing yourself in the vast realm of classic french books can be overwhelming. Students behavior should reflect the level of performance they wish to see. Tartuffe was first written and performed during the reign of king louis xiv of france, which lasted from 1643 until the kings death in 1715 the social, cultural, and political atmosphere that characterized the reign of louis xiv, known as the sun king, was so distinct that it lent itself to the name of an era in french hist.
A level english literature the handmaids taleplot summary duration. The story characters in tartuffe www sites for 17th c. World literature ii eng 252 tartuffe study guide dr. Being a dutiful daughter, she tells him it is her pleasure always to please her father. Selected passages from twelve english translations of molieres tartuffe are. In this student edition the french text is supplemented. In 1662, at the age of 40, moliere married the 20yearold. Orgon makes tartuffe his heir by a legal contract, and tartuffe uses his hypocrisy to convince orgon to give him his money. The negative effects of tartuffe on the family unit become clearer, as the characters reveal that marianes and damis marriages are in jeopardy. As and alevel french themes and subthemes aspects of frenchspeaking society. The society of the holy sacrament, a french church group, found the play immoral and offensive and the king banned it from being performed. Inside youll find 30 daily lessons, 20 fun activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, 20 essay questions, quizzeshomework assignments, tests, and more. Introduce your students to three icons of french culture in your first year french class. Dorine manipulates orgon by pretending to agree with him.