Injustice In Tartuffe
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ustice and Injustice in Tartuffe
A theme of the play Tartuffe is justice. Justice, or the lack of justice, can be seen in the relationship between father and son, father and daughter, and guest and host. Lacanian philosophy, which focuses on language and the conflict that the male feels due to a disintegration of oneness, can be used to look at injustice as it manifests itself in the male conflict within the play.
According to Lacan, a male child experiences conflict with his father, who is associated with language and thus otherness. Once a child enters into the world of language he loses his sense of unity with his mother. In Tartuffe the father, Orgon is in conflict with his son, Damis. Damis is a rash person who does not think things completely through before choosing a course of action, as seen when he says abruptly, “Ill go and tell [Tartuffe] off-, Im out of patience” (3. 1. 10). He verbally spars with his father, who is completely infatuated with the behavior of Tartuffe, to see Tartuffe for what he is. After eavesdropping on the conversation between Elmire, the wife of Orgon, and Tartuffe, Damis is convinced that he has the evidence that he needs to convince Orgon of his position, as indicated when he says, “And now Ive proof that cant he disbelieved Proof that was furnished me by Heaven above” (3.4.24-25). 1 le then goes to destroy his fathers view of Tartuffe.
Orgon, however, upon hearing that Damis has caught Tartuffe trying to seduce Elmire, immediately takes a defensive stance and instead of believing his own son, claims the accusation is false and defends the stranger saying, “Ah, you deceitful boy, how dare you try / To stain his purity with so foul a lie?” (3.6.15-16). He scolds him: “Be still you monster” (3.6.37). As the argument continues, Orgon prevents his son from finishing all of his statements except one. Orgon even says, “Just one word more, and Ill tear you limb from limb.” This argument culminates in the unjust disinheritance of Damis, and the complete silencing of the son.
This use of language as a means to declare law instead of love can be seen at other points in the play as well. Mariane, the daughter of Orgon, was to marry Valere. However, infatuated with Tartuffe, Orgon decides that Mariane is to marry Tartuffe instead. Not only does this disregard for a childs love interests destroy the hopes of one young couple, but it also hurts the chances of Damis for marriage with Valeres sister. This shows Orgons power over the family, as described when Mariane replies to Dorine who questioned her silence, saying “What good would it do? A fathers power is great.” (2.3.5).
Mariane rarely disputes an order directly. Instead, she plays the obedient daughter and does not speak her mind. In fact, Orgon even seems to control her use of language. For example, when Mariane is asked what she thinks of Tartuffe, Mariane replies, “Ill say whatever you wish me to” (2.1.14). Orgon goes on to tell her to say that she is desirous of having Tartuffe as her wife. When she replies that she cannot say such an untruth, Orgon unjustly declares, “I am resolved it shall be true, / That its my wish should be enough for you” (2.1.25-26), in complete disregard for anyones feelings except his own.
This use of language by Orgon is likely a reflection of Tartuffes control over him, for Tartuffe uses language for subversive purposes, such as for seduction, deception, stealing. and control. For example, while trying to seduce Elmire, Tartuffe employs the art of twisting the meanings of words in an attempt to convince Elmire that it is acceptable for her to give into him. For example, in attempt to gain the confidence of Elmire for his own selfish lusts, he says that “any wrongful act you care to mention / May be redeemed by purity of intention,” (4.5.105, 106), which is an attempt to subvert the highest law, the law of God, thus also demonstrating the conflict between father and son on the spiritual level. The son, the evil Tartuffe, is violating the law of God, the Father.
Orgon is also silent at various times, during which times justice is observed. For instance, the marriage of Mariane is openly disputed by Dorine, the ladys-maid of Mariane. Dorine is ultimately ordered to be silent by Orgon as this argument persists. When Dorine comments to herself about Orgons orders, Orgon proclaims “it seems you treat my orders as a joke” (2.2.112). This commenting eventually annoys Orgon to the point that he says, “She makes me sinfully annoyed and nettled. / I cant speak further” (2.2.126-127), symbolizing the disassociation of language with the female figures, for he is not able to silence Dorine. Stomping off, Orgon is not able to persuade Mariane to his way of thinking, and injustice is at least delayed.
Orgon is also silent while hiding in order that he might witness the treacherous attempts of the seduction of his wife by the deceptive Tartuffe. At this point, Orgon is under the table, a womb image. which symbolizes the reintegration with their mothers that all males, according to Lacan, are desirous of attaining. Here, Orgon, is reconciled with this desire and remains silent, even during the plentiful hints of Elmire who attempts to draw him out. Orgon, having seen the true feelings of Tartuffe, reemerges from the womb-like table as a changed man. Speaking about Tartuffe, he says that “Hell never harbored anything so vicious!” (5.6.7). Orgon then begins again to use language as law, although for a more just purpose, as seen when he says, “No more talk from you; / Just leave this household, without more ado” (5.7.15-16). This use of language also demonstrates a factor of love and concern for the family of Orgon, as Orgon, the father and thus protector of the family, is now attempting to drive a hypocrite lecher from the household.
Tartuffe, almost in reaction to this use of law, just as Orgons speech was influenced by Tartuffe earlier, then attempts to turn this use of language against Orgon. Tartuffe proclaims, “No, Im the master,