Moliere’s Characters Use of Rationality and Logic

Man’s vision of the world around him has always been tainted by the curtain of interpretation. The period of the enlightenment was meant to be a time where this curtain was cast aside for logical deduction and rational conclusion. The characters in Moliere’s Tartuffe embody this struggle between proven facts and interpretation. The main character, Orgon, and Madame Pernelle have been completely blinded by the apparent piety of Tartuffe. The problem lies in the fact that Orgon is not able to sensibly determine Tartuffe’s dishonesty, and he is therefore being swindled everything that he owns. The solution to this problem lies in the characters that are able to think rationally and to see through Tartuffe’s veil of lies by logically examining his speech, and hypocritical actions. This rational thinking requires the characters to have a level-head, and an objective view, which applies the principles of moderation in the actions that they take. Cleante, Elmire and Dorine are the patrons in Tartuff that are able to rationally scrutinize Tartuffe’s behavior and logically try to enlighten Orgon to his misjudgment and extremist behavior.

In the beginning of the play Cleante has not even met Tartuffe and yet he is able to discern Tartuffe’s hypocrisy, telling his brother “my judgment is not so weak/ That I can’t tell, by his effect on others,” (1.5.10-1). Based on what he has heard of Tartuffe Cleante is able to give reasonable advice to his brother, saying, “those whose hearts are truly pure and lowly/ Don’t make a flashy show of being holy/ There’s a vast difference so it seems to me/ Between true piety and hypocrisy,” (1.5. 72-4).  Here Cleante is applying his knowledge of truly pious men as apposed to the pretenders that “offer prayers/ Not to the Maker, but as public wares,” as Tartuffe does (107-8). It is this cause and effect, scientific deduction of Tartuffe’s character that makes his argument so strong even though Orgon chooses to remain blind to the truth. When Orgon gives Tartuffe Damis’ inheritance Cleante attempts to show Orgon that Tartuffe’s acceptance of this should spike his suspicions, “Ought not a Christian to forgive, and ought He not to stifle every vengeful thought?” (4.1.9-10). Everything that Cleante says to his brother has been thought out through a series of observations on man and how they apply to the situation with Tartuffe. Cleante uses these observations to support his argument logically.

  Cleante is very wise as he realizes that one must be balanced, and use prudent judgment when dealing with people. When Orgon wants to condemn all pious men after being duped by Tartuffe Cleante chastises him, saying, “Why can you not be rational? You never manage the middle course, it seems, But jump, instead, between absurd extremes,” (5.1. 34-6). Damis too gets chastised when cries revenge on Tartuffe for what has been done to his father; Cleante says, “Do learn to moderate your fits of rage./ In this just kingdom, this enlightened age/ One does not settle things by violence,” (5.2.11-3). Cleante has a strong grasp on what is socially acceptable is his day and age. It is very evident that he believes moderation is imperative during the time period that he is living in; this time period being the enlightenment where people are using science and reason to prove their point. He praises moderation through his speech to Orgon about how a truly pious man acts, “They’re never ostentatious, never vain/ And their religion is moderate and humane,” (1.5.131-2).  His temperate attitude and understanding of his environment support his ability to rationalize what measures should be taken, and appropriately judge how people act. 

Elmire, too, carefully observes Tartuffe and is able to scrutinize his actions and words logically, “Your declaration is most gallant, Sir, But don’t you think it’s out of character?…It ill becomes a pious man like you,” (3.3.83-5). She is able to see her husbands ignorance and tries to encourage him to realize what is actually going on, “Your blindness simply takes my breath away. You are indeed bewitched,” (4.3.39-40). She realizes that her husband will not be convinced with words and so she devises a very rational plan to get Orgon to see the truth with his own eyes, “I’m not asking you to trust our word/ Suppose that from some hiding place in here/ You learned the whole sad truth by ear and ear,” (4.3.69-71). This plan eventually leads to Orgon’s awakening to Tartuffe’s deceit. Elmire’s plan could be compared to the sense found in a scientific test as she collects tangible evidence against Tartuffe. Orgon’s enlightenment only takes place after he is able to hear the direct attack that Elmire was able to draw out of Tartuffe during her experiment. Elmire demonstrates her understanding of the relationship between reasonable cause and effect and the fickleness of power when she says, “If I had known what cards he held, I’d not/ Have roused his anger by my little plot,” (5.3. 74-5).  She understands that when passions are ignited people loose sight of rationality and are liable to make rash decisions, as Tartuffe does when he immediately kicks them out of the house after being tricked.

Dorine determines Tartuffe’s hypocrisy through listening to the clues in the way he talks. She comments that “those who have greatest cause for guilt and shame are quickest to besmirch a neighbor’s name,” (1.1.105-6). This is a very logical thought that she applies to Tartuffe’s holy speeches. Like the others Dorine tries to rationally show Orgon how he errs in his trust of Tartuffe, “what should that bigot want with Mariane? Praying and fasting ought to keep him busy,” (2.2.25-6). Dorine is not afraid to tell Orgon exactly how she feels about Tartuffe and is able to give an entire speech listing his hypocritical actions,  “A man whose spirit spurns this dungy earth Ought not brag of lands and noble birth,” (2.2.42-3). She chooses to present her argument coolly, simply stating the facts; she refuses to take on Orgon’s hot-headed mannerism saying, “Do let’s discuss this calmly,” (2.2.23).  She thinks logically and helps Elmire devise her plan to enlighten Orgon. Dorine is able to observe that, “She [Elmire] has some influence with Tartuffe, I’ve noted,” (3.1.13). It is the use of these observations and moderate tone that make her an important character in trying to convince Orgon, as one of the enlightened thinkers in the play.

These enlightened characters are all able to discern the truth about Tartuffe through cool, rational thinking. The three focus on Tartuffe’s hypocrisy as they are able to observe how the pious life he is preaching does not align with his actions, which include living in the court and trying to seduce a married woman. Cleante realizes the necessity for balance and is able to understand the society he lives in. He gives his advice to the other characters based on this knowledge, cooling them when their passions run rampant. Elmire devises a scientific scheme to bring about her husbands eventual enlightenment as she is aware that something’s must be experienced first hand to be believed. With the help of Dorine’s keen observations and ability to speak her mind to Orgon in a controlled manner, the three rationally deduce Tartuffe’s deceit and devise reasonable methods to bring it to an end.