What reasons could Molière have for mixing the language of love and religion in Tartuffe’s speeches to Elmire (247-254; …

  What are some reasons why Mariane does not actively resist her father’s plan to marry her to Tartuffe? As …

  What do you think Molière thinks of religion? Could his critics have been partially right—that his play might in …

  Try to pick a ruling passion for each major character in the play and defend your choice. For example …

Look for the following stock characters as you read Tartuffe: the young lovers whose desires are thwarted by an unreasonable …

  As you read the first scene, whose word do you trust and why? What do you find out about …

What does Molière say is the function of comedy in his Preface to Tartuffe? Do you think comedy works this …

As you read, try to imagine what a staged version of Tartuffe would look like. Where are the characters, what …

What does Dorinne say about Orgon’s folly? What is humorous about scene 4?

Characterize Madame Pernelle. What social concerns are raised? What does Cleante state about human nature?