Why does Tartuffe tell Dorine “Cover that bosom, girl. The flesh is weak/And unclean thoughts are difficult to control/Such sights as that can undermine the soul” (3.1.8-10, p 43)? What do you make of this and what does this say about him? Does Tartuffe have strict moral and religious beliefs, or is he morally or sexually weak? What does Tartuffe confess to Elmire and what does he love about her? Tartuffe says, “You are my peace, my solace, my salvation. . . I may be pious, but I’m human too;/ With your celestial charms before his eyes, /A man has not the power to be wise” (3.3. 79 & 88-90, p. 45). Why is he saying that Elmire is his “salvation”? What do you make of his word choice “salvation” when he refers to Elmire? Is he truly religious? Does Tartuffe “practice precisely what he preaches” (1.1. 42, p. 21)? Why does Tartuffe tell Elmire that he can offer “love without scandal, pleasure without fear” (3.3.122, p. 46)? What does Moliere expose through Tartuffe’s behaviour here?
