Tartuffe

Tartuffe Summary | Act 1 Summary

As the first act begins, Madame Pernelle is preparing to leave her son's home. The other members of the family follow her and try to speak, but Madame Pernelle is quite good at having the last word. The family attempts to pay her the respect due Orgon's mother, but she takes each of them to task. First, she criticizes Elmire, her son's wife, for the activities that take place within the home and attempts to silence Dorine, the maid. Then she tells Dames, her grandson, that he is a plain fool and will never amount to anything, and accuses her granddaughter, Mariane, of devious behavior. Madame Pernelle goes on to tell her daughter-in-law that she sets a poor example and is far too extravagant. When Elmire's brother, Cléante, attempts to defend his sister, Madame Pernelle dismisses him and says that she cannot understand how her son can continue to allow him to visit.

After Madame Pernelle makes her attacks on each of the family members, they bring up the subject of Tartuffe, Orgon's pious houseguest. Madame Pernelle defends Tartuffe and praises his piety and his actions. Damis calls Tartuffe a sanctimonious bigot and Dorine says he is a pious busybody, for forbidding all that they find pleasurable. Madame Pernelle continues to defend Tartuffe's position, and says that they should all follow Tartuffe's example if they are to live a holy life and be saved from sin. Madame Pernelle further says that her son should make them all love Tartuffe as he does.

Damis predicts that he and Tartuffe will certainly come to blows, as he cannot abide the man's behavior and feels he would be a hypocrite to like him. Dorine chimes in about how Tartuffe came to their house without shoes and dressed like a beggar. Now, she claims, he dresses and acts as if he were the master of the house. Madame Pernelle thinks that they would be better off if they paid attention to Tartuffe's instructions, but Dorine continues to call him a hypocrite and says that she would not trust Tartuffe or his servant. Madame Pernelle says that Tartuffe is a good man, and that they would do well to heed him, for sinfulness is all that he preaches against. Dorine asks why it is sinful for the family to have visitors, unless Tartuffe is interested in the mistress of the house. Madame Pernelle continues to defend Tartuffe's position, and says that all of the carriages coming and going is bad because it gets the neighbors talking and gossiping about them.

Cléante takes Madame Pernelle to task for this statement and he suggests that they try to live virtuously, but ignore the things that neighborhood gossips may say about them. Dorine suspects that the gossip and malicious talk is coming from a slanderous neighbor, whom Madame Pernelle defends as a God-fearing woman. Dorine says that this woman is only recently virtuous, as she is no longer young enough to turn the men's heads, and that her righteous behavior stems from envy. Madame Pernelle further dismisses Dorine as a chatterbox, and makes certain that she has the last word in defending Tartuffe as a holy man who should be listened to and followed. Madame Pernelle then takes her leave, as she cannot stand the fact that they are all against her position on Tartuffe.

After her long dissertation on godliness, and her reproval of Tartuffe's challengers, she slaps her maid, Flipote, who has said nothing throughout the scene, then calls her a slut.

As the others walk Madame Pernelle to the door, Dorine and Cléante discuss how the old woman dotes on Tartuffe. Dorine points out that this is nothing compared to the adoration bestowed on the houseguest by her son, Orgon. Tartuffe has become his most trusted advisor and confidant, and Dorine thinks that Orgon is more than a little bit obsessed with Tartuffe. Dorine goes on to describe how Tartuffe knows Orgon's weaknesses and takes full advantage of them.

Elmire re-enters, then immediately retires to her suite to await her husband's return. Cléante stays to welcome Orgon home. Damis asks Cléante to discuss Mariane's upcoming marriage to Valère with Orgon, as he (Damis) is also in love with Valère's sister. Damis suspects that Tartuffe may be trying to oppose the marriage, which would also hurt his chances with the sister.

Orgon returns and Cléante welcomes him. To set his mind at ease upon his return, Orgon questions Dorine about the status of his family. Dorine tells of his wife's recent illness, and Orgon asks of Tartuffe. Dorine says that Tartuffe is doing quite well, to which Orgon responds, "Poor fellow!" This exchange continues, as Dorine describes Elmire's sickness in great detail, while describing Tartuffe's hearty appetite, restful sleep, and enjoyment of several glasses of wine. After each description of Elmire's ailments, Orgon asks about Tartuffe. At each description of Tartuffe, Orgon exclaims, "Poor fellow!" Dorine reports that they are now both well, and says that she will let the mistress know how concerned her husband was for her health.

Cléante points out to Orgon that Dorine was all but laughing in his face. Cléante agrees with Dorine's assessment of the situation, and questions Orgon about how he can be so enamored of this poor visitor. Orgon goes on to try to describe Tartuffe's many great attributes. In describing him, Orgon is at a loss for words, "He's a man who...who...ah! A man...in short, a man!" Orgon further states that he is grateful to Tartuffe for teaching him to let go of any affection that he has for mere humans. Orgon then says that he could probably see his entire family perish, and thanks to Tartuffe's influence, he would not care very much. Cléante responds tongue-in-cheek about how humane Orgon's point of view is.

Orgon tells of how he first met Tartuffe at church. Tartuffe's fervent prayers drew the attention of the entire congregation. Tartuffe's manservant told Orgon how needy he was, and when Orgon gave him money, he would always declare it too much and return part or share it with other poor people. Orgon was then inspired to welcome this prayerful man into his home. Orgon praises Tartuffe's piety and religious zeal, and tells of Tartuffe feeling great remorse for killing a flea the other day with too much vindictiveness. Cléante cannot believe that Orgon can be fooled so easily and completely by this stranger and Orgon replies that Cléante's statements sound sacrilegious and calls him an atheist for not believing in Tartuffe. Cléante tells Orgon that he thinks he is being duped by Tartuffe. Orgon chides his brother-in-law and mocks his wisdom and knowledge. To this, Cléante responds that he is not all knowing, but that he can certainly tell the difference between true and false. Cléante describes true pious and religious people, who do not have to call attention to their good acts and virtuous lives and he speaks of truly godly people who do not assume the worst of everyone and do not judge just by appearances. Cléante feels that Tartuffe is not one of these men, but is a hypocrite and an imposter and is trying to take advantage of Orgon's kindness and generosity. Then he tells Orgon that Tartuffe is deceiving him, and that truly virtuous men hate sin, not sinners. Orgon lets Cléante know that he is finished listening to his opposing opinion.

Cléante then changes the subject to Mariane's upcoming wedding to Valère. To each of Cléante's questions, Orgon gives a short answer that does not amount to any sort of commitment. Orgon did promise Valère his daughter's hand, and set a date, but now he is hedging. The ceremony has been postponed, and Orgon will not tell anyone what his intentions are regarding the wedding. When Cléante finally asks him directly if he intends to keep his promise to Valère, Orgon dismisses him with a "good-bye," and exits. Cléante does not think that this is a very good sign, and goes to warn Valère.