Molieres Tartuffe a Masterpiece of French Literature Essay

Molieres Tartuffe a Masterpiece of French Literature Molià ©res Tartuffe has long been considered a masterpiece of French Literature for its powerful social commentary, finely sculptured characters and its presentation of moral theme. While Tartuffe stands soundly on its own merits, its curiosity and impact for audiences both within its own period and for contemporary productions are heightened by the history surrounding its original presentation. Tartuffe was written and produced in a sensitive time for a sensitive audience. King Louis XIV sat upon a throne made uneasy with the plotting and dissent of multiple and powerful factions. The self-styled Sun King, King Louis XIV inherited a throne at five that he would not truly rule†¦show more content†¦Despite appeals to King Louis, Molià ©re was refused permission to stage the play for the general public. For the next three years Molià ©re continued to present Tartuffe at private gatherings hoping to garner the support he needed to reverse the interdiction against the play s performance. Late in 1664 Molià ©re was able to get the approval of the legate Chili for the performance of Tartuffe. This approval gave Molià ©re grounds to submit a new petition to the King. The King, again, denied the petition. Adding insult to injury, Molià ©res one time sponsor the Prince de Conti wrote a treatise against the stage in which he accused Molià ©re of being an atheist. Given the renewed campaign against him, Molià ©res hopes for producing Tartuffe in 1666 were dashed. On August 5, 1667, operating on a secret agreement with the King, Molià ©re presented The Imposter (A milder version of Tartuffe). The King was not present for the opening as he was encamped with his army at Flanders. This would prove troublesome for Molià ©re when the Church moved to stop further performances of The Imposter and he found himself without what he supposed to be his most important ally, King Louis. Immediately following the first performance President deShow MoreRel atedCompare Candide and Tartuffe5528 Words   |  23 PagesIn  Tartuffe, Molieres uses plot to defend and oppose characters that symbolize and ridicule habitual behaviors that was imposed during the neo-classical time period. His work, known as a comedy of manners, consists of flat characters, with few and similar traits and that always restore some kind of peace in the end. He down plays society as a whole by creating a microseism, where everyone in the family has to be obedient, respectful, and mindful of the head of the home, which is played by the