Preview
Production Season
Fall 2009
Production Staff
by Moliere. Directed by M. Susan Anthony
Recommended Citation
Theatre, DePauw, "Tartuffe" (2009). Past DePauw Theatre Seasons. 22, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/commtheatre_past/22
Keywords
undergraduate theatre
Play Summary
It is 1668, and Monsieur Orgon, a wealthy Parisian, has fallen under the spell of Tartuffe, a swindler who masquerades as a holy man. Although the other members of Orgon’s household see Tartuffe for what he really is, Orgon dismisses their concerns and recklessly lavishes on his “holy” friend money, possessions--even his daughter in marriage. Meanwhile, Tartuffe lies, cheats, steals and does his best to seduce Orgon’s wife. By the time Orgon finally recognizes his folly, it could be too late to save his fortune and his family! Moliere’s comic masterpiece so brilliantly skewers religious hypocrites that the play, when first introduced to Paris audiences, was banned for five years. Described as a “delightful romp,” Tartuffe is acknowledged as one of the greatest comedies of Western literature.