Small Group Discussion Questions—Moliere’s Tartuffe

• In what ways does the play resemble a modern half-hour television situation comedy? Who are famous Tartuffes of today--that is, people who pretend to be upright in order to get money, property, or power? 
• It appears that Orgon is not a good judge of character, for he accepts as gospel everything that Tartuffe says.  Do you believe there are many people like Orgon in our society?  Think about today’s consumers, voters, and audiences. 

• Why does Tartuffe find it so easy to exploit Orgon?   Consider Orgon’s personality, social position, age, and family situation as you discuss this.
• Considering the social structures of the time, particularly the organization of the family unit.  Why is it so frightening to family members that Orgon seems to have lost his senses?
• Orgon's weaknesses are easy to see; what are his positive traits?

· Tartuffe does not appear until the third act of the play?  What might be Moliere’s reason for this?  Does Tartuffe’s later arrival make the play’s impact stronger or weaker?  Is he what you expect?  If so, how so? If not, why not?

• Molière exposes hypocrisy through comedy and satire.  Others condemn hypocrisy and other reprehensible behavior through more serious modes of expression such as sermons, speeches, or articles and essays.  Which approach do believe is more effective?  Why? 
• Why can the play’s ending be considered plot manipulation (deus ex machina)?
• What role does Cleante play in Tartuffe?  Consider the advice he gives to other family members.  What behaviors and thought patterns does he recommend and represent?  Why is he so crucial to the play? 

· A stock character is a special kind of character who is instantly recognizable to most readers and viewers.  Possible examples include the “nagging mother-in-law,” “the techno geek,” “the tough drill sergeant,” “the shushing old librarian,” and “the dumb jock.” 

Consider the characters in Tartuffe.  Which of the characters in the play could be considered stock characters?  What qualities might make them stock?

· How is Dorine indispensable to the plot of the play?  How would the play be affected if her part were omitted?

· Would this play have any appeal for modern audiences?  Why or why not? 

· Regardless, assume you are a well-known producer and want to create a modern film version of Tartuffe. 

Which well-known actors would you hire to play the central characters? 

What modern setting would you use? 

What scenes and/or events from the original play would you be sure to include in your modern version? 

If you were pressed for time, what scenes and/or events would you omit? 

What Motion Picture Association of America rating (G, PG, PG-13, R,

NC-17) would you design the movie for? 

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