Tartuffe

This is the first time Tartuffe is present. Noticing Dorine, he hands her a handkerchief to “cover up that bosom” (87). Dorine inquires why he is so easily tempted, and he demands she show more modesty or he will “instantly take leave” (88). Dorine tells Tartuffe that Elmire wishes to speak to him, and he responds favorably at the news. Dorine exits.

Elmire arrives, and Tartuffe asks about her health. He even goes so far as to say he would have given up his life to bring good health back to her. Elmire says she wants to speak to him in private. Tartuffe is overjoyed to be alone with her. As they talk, Damis secretly opens the closet door where he is hiding. Tartuffe starts to talk of his unnamed “devotion” as he squeezes her hand too hard and puts his hand on her knee. Elmire moves her chair away from him, but he follows, touching the lace of her dress. She ignores his comments about the material of her dress and asks about the rumor of him marrying Mariane. Tartuffe replies, “That’s not the happiness I’m yearning” (93). Elmire says she assumes Tartuffe would only think of heavenly affairs, but Tartuffe launches into a monologue about the importance of “earthly beauty,” particularly Elmire’s beauty. Elmire expresses her surprise at Tartuffe’s confession of love, asking Tartuffe if he’s afraid she might tell her husband. Tartuffe believes Elmire is “too good and generous” to tell (98). Elmire uses this opportunity to ask a favor of Tartuffe: to convince Orgon to allow Mariane to marry Valère. 

Damis exits from the closet in a rage. He wants to expose all that he has heard so his father can finally see the truth about Tartuffe. Elmire encourages him not to say a word because she promised Tartuffe, but Damis will “not be counselled” (100).

Orgon arrives. Damis reveals to his father what he saw transpire between Tartuffe and Elmire, who leaves upset because Damis did not follow her advice.

Orgon demands to know the truth. Tartuffe comes clean, claiming he’s “a miserable sinner, steeped in evil” (102). Orgon suddenly turns on his son for ruining Tartuffe’s virtue. Tartuffe tells Orgon to listen to his son, again claiming guilt. Orgon cannot be pacified and continues to berate his son. Tartuffe gets on his knees and asks Orgon to listen to his son, and Orgon joins him in an embrace. Orgon then accuses Damis of hating Tartuffe and reaffirms that Tartuffe will “straightaway” marry his daughter to spite all of Tartuffe’s naysayers. Orgon tells Damis to leave the house and never to return. 

Damis leaves. Orgon runs to the door, wishing he had killed his son. Tartuffe offers to leave the house because of the trouble he has caused. He thinks one day Orgon will listen to his family’s hatred. Orgon assures him that he never will and encourages him to stay. Tartuffe says he will but will avoid his wife. Orgon suggests he spend more time with Elmire “to spite them all” (112). He goes one step further to say that he plans to draw up a deed that gives all of his property to Tartuffe.

Cleante and Tartuffe are present at the top of Act IV. Cleante offers advice about what transpired between Orgon and Damis. He ultimately encourages Tartuffe to help Orgon reconcile with his son, as that is the Christian thing to do. Tartuffe agrees that he should intervene, but he fears that he will have to leave if Damis returns because the contact between them “would bring scandal” (114). Cleante does not buy this line of reasoning and says that Tartuffe should worry less about others’ opinions. Tartuffe reasons on the grounds that “heaven commands” it to be this way (115). Cleante probes further, asking how Tartuffe is able to take Orgon’s estate. Tartuffe explains that Orgon “insists” on giving it to him and he is only taking it so it does not fall into “bad hands.” Cleante continues to be unconvinced by Tartuffe’s replies and wonders why Tartuffe does not choose to act on his beliefs by “honorably” leaving the house. Tartuffe abruptly exits to tend to his prayers.

Elmire, Dorine, and Mariane arrive. Dorine pleads with Cleante to help Mariane by convincing Orgon to change his mind about the nuptials.

Orgon arrives excitedly with a contract. Mariane drops to her knees to beg Orgon not to force her to marry a man she does not love. Orgon feels a little emotion for her, and Mariane continues to say that she’s willing to give up her part of the estate or even join the convent in order to avoid marriage with Tartuffe. Orgon is no longer moved and tells her to stop asking him to change his mind. Cleante starts to intervene with his advice, but Orgon says, “Brother, I value your advice most highly; ’tis well thought out; no better can be had; but you’ll allow me—not to follow it” (121). Orgon turns to Elmire to accuse her of being “too calm” with Damis. Elmire is convinced that they can show Orgon the truth about Tartuffe’s feelings for her. Orgon does not believe it is possible to see Tartuffe do anything inappropriate, but Elmire is adamant because she is tired of Orgon accusing her of lying. Orgon finally accepts Elmire’s offer. Dorine speaks privately to Elmire with her concerns about Tartuffe’s craftiness. However, Elmire is not worried because a “lover’s never hard to cheat” (124).

Elmire asks Orgon to get under the table. Orgon is not convinced that all of the rigamarole is necessary, but he says, “I’ll see you through your scheme” (125). Elmire admits that she may have to appear flirtatious to show the real Tartuffe but that Orgon can stop the scenario whenever he has seen enough to be convinced. 

Tartuffe arrives, and Elmire immediately tells him to close the door because she wants to be alone with him to unleash her true emotions. Tartuffe expresses confusion at her response, and Elmire says that he does not know how a woman’s heart works. She explains her earlier behavior in such a way as to convince Tartuffe that she actually is fond of him. Tartuffe is excited but wants actions to match the “enchanting words.” Elmire coughs in the hope that Orgon will appear from under the table, but he does not. Tartuffe continues to ask for “something real” while Elmire tries to put him off by mentioning his strong beliefs and a woman’s need for a slow pace. None of her defenses pacifies Tartuffe. Elmire coughs more loudly, and Tartuffe takes notice, offering her a piece of candy. Elmire tells Tartuffe that she “must resolve to yield” in order to provide proof (134). Beforehand, though, she requests that Tartuffe open the door and check if her husband is down the hall.

Orgon appears from under the table and exclaims how “abominable” Tartuffe is. Elmire sarcastically replies, “You come out so soon?” (136). Elmire has Orgon hide behind her when Tartuffe reenters the room.

Tartuffe says that he cannot find Orgon anywhere, but Orgon emerges from behind Elmire with angry words for Tartuffe. Tartuffe tries to explain, but Orgon cuts him off. At the end of the short scene, Tartuffe craftily replies that “this house belongs to me, I’ll have you know” (138).

Elmire and Orgon are anxiously left alone to ponder Tartuffe’s words. Orgon mentions the deed of gift he had intended for Tartuffe as well as a mysterious box upstairs he wants to check. Orgon tells Elmire that she “shall know all” (140).