tartuffe
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Katie Bowman
June 7, 2004
Tartuffe
In Moliere's Tartuffe the theme of reason versus passion reoccurs throughout the entire play. This play was written during the age of reason. During this time period the outlook was reason must always control passion. Moliere demonstrates how hard it was for the people of this time to keep this attitude. Almost all of the characters in this play struggle to live this lifestyle, however, there are some characters with common sense that act as mediators during the play.
Dorine is almost like a hero in many scenes during the play. Many times Mariane is not bold enough to stand up for herself so Dorine has to do it for her. In Act II, scene 2 Moliere illustrates Orgon's passion for Mariane to wed Tartuffe. Dorine confirms to the audience Orgon is not using reason; "For if one's bridegroom isn't to one's taste, it's hardly an inducement to be chaste, and many a man with horns upon his brow" Dorine tells Orgon that if Mariane marries Tartuffe that she is just going to cheat on him, and that would make Orgon look bad. Sadly it takes a more convincing than that to make Orgon think with reason instead of passion...