Players Madame Pernelle – Orgon’s mother
Orgon- Elmire’s husband
Elmire- Orgon’s wife
Damis- Orgon’s son, Elmire’s stepson
Mariane- Orgon’s daughter, Elmire’s stepdaughter, in love with Valere
Valere- in love with Mariane
Tartuffe- the hypocrite
Cleante- Orgon’s brother-in-law
Dorine- Mariane lady’s maid
M Loyal- a bailiff
Flipote- Madame Pernelle maid
As the plot unfolds
Madame Pernelle – Orgon’s mother. She was portrayed as a stereotypical mother that blindly believed that her son, Orgon, could do no wrong or make any bad judgments. Her opinion of her son's strong belief in Tartuffe kept her from hearing the truth even when told by her own son. Even after Orgon told her of Tartuffe's indiscretion with Elmire, she believed Tartuffe was innocent and Elmire must have tried to seduce or coerce Tartuffe into lowering his strong morals that Orgon thought he had. She felt that all others were wrong in their assenment of Tartuffe. She also portrayed a mother-in-law who felt her daughter-in-law wasn't good enough for her son and did not bring her children up as her dear husband wanted.
Orgon- Elmire’s husband. He was a sucker all the way. Tartuffe fooled him because Tartuffe told Orgon what he wanted to hear. Orgon was blinded and seduced by Tartuffe's deep religious beliefs and actions (while the two were together). Tartuffe sucked up to Orgon by making him feels much more powerful (in control) and religious than he really was. He made Orgon believe that he was
Elmire- Orgon’s wife. She appeared to be a recessive wife who may not have cared for Tartuffe but respected her husband's wishes. But she did not seem to want him as a husband for Marine. She was going to be quite after he made a pass at her by pinching her fingers and touching her on the knee. He tried to cover by saying he was examining the fabric but she saw through his ruse. Damis saw Tartuffe and Elmire.
Damis- Orgon’s son, Elmire’s stepson. He wants to marry Valere’s sister but if Valere can't marry Mariane then his plans are out too. Damis saw Tartuffe's advance to Elmire and told Orgon. Orgon kicked Damis out of the house because he could not believe Tartuffe could do such a thing.
Mariane- Orgon’s daughter, Elmire’s stepdaughter, in love with Valere
Orgon backs out of the Valere marriage and tells her she is to wed Tartuffe. She is mortified but feels that she must obey her father.
Valere- in love with Mariane.
Tartuffe- the hypocrite
Cleante- Orgon’s brother-in-law. He seems to be a level headed person who recognizes Tartuffe for what he is but knows it is not his place. He does try to support the family but does not confront Tartuffe's reputation with Orgon. He does try to persuade Tartuffe to do the right thing and forgo the gift of accepting Damis's inheritance.
Dorine- Mariane lady’s maid. A sassy girl who plays a noisy body and interrupts private conversations.
M Loyal- a bailiff
Flipote- Madame Pernelle maid
Jerry Dunman
Who were the two characters in Tartuffe that were "fooled" and did not see Tartuffe for what he really was.
1.Elmire and Marine
2. Madame Pernelle and Orgon
3. Orgon and Damis
4. Damis and Madame Pernelle
What test did Elmire use to convince Orgon of Tartuffe's true intentions?
1. She made Orgon give a box full of gold to Tartuffe.
2. She permitted Tartuffe to make a pass at her while Orgon secretly watched.
3. She had Orgon postpone the marriage between Valere and Damis until he came to his senses.
4. She had Orgon go to the local church and pray for guidance.
Tartuffe is an example of good triumphing over evil. Tartuffe used religious overtures to fool Orgon into trusting him. In the end what turn of events save Orgon from his fate?
Orgon was seduced by Tartuffe's apparent concern for others and his deeply religious beliefs and actions. Whenever Tartuffe was with Orgon he would always make Orgon feel like he was in control. But in truth, it was Tartuffe's skillful manipulation of Orgon's actions by telling Orgon what he wanted to hear. Orgon's family realized Tartuffe was a fraud and tried desperately to convince their father. Unfortunately, the more they tried to convinced Orgon of Tartuffe's real colors, the more it played into Tartuffe's hands. Orgon felt that everyone disliked Tartuffe because he represented a good natural life and routinely brought out flaws in their lifestyles. Additionally, Orgon's children were at the age where they no longer "needed" him and were soon to go out on their own. As with all generation gaps, Orgon felt that his family did not support his decisions or follow his strict religious teachings. He compounded this gap by raving and placing Tartuffe above his family. Near the end, everyone except Madame Pernelle was alienated by Orgon's actions towards Tartuffe. Orgon had placed everything into Tartuffe's care. It finally took Tartuffe's advances towards Elmire to open his eyes to what Tartuffe really was. Unfortunately, this wisdom came at a cost and Tartuffe held the upper hand. Orgon had already legally deeded his house over to Tartuffe. In addition, he had given him a box that supposedly contained very damaging papers. After Orgon confronted Tartuffe it seemed that Orgon would be ruined and spend his days in jail. In a dramatic turn of events for his support during the rebellion, the wise king came to Orgon's rescue and restored his rightful belongings. Then the young lovers were happily married.