Themes_of_Tartuffe

Themes of Tartuffe Throughout the story, Orgon is constantly manipulated by the character Tartuffe. In fact, this constant manipulation is a symbol of the deeds of both Cardinal de Richelieu and Jules Mazarin. Both men were Cardinals for the King of France. Richelieu under Louis IIIand Mazarin under Louis XIV. The men ruled France with an iron fist without the permission or consent of the King. It is possible that the King did not know or did not care as long as he lived a lavish lifestyle. Mazarin went so far as to have an affair with Louis XIV's mother, Anne of Austria. This manipulation led Tartuffe to harm his own family, maybe not physcially, but they were scarred for life with the betrayal of their father. This is similar to the actions of the Cardinals as they had many people killed and made many skeptics of the King. This idea of manipulation did not sit well with the Catholic Church as it showed the impious actions of the Cardinals as well as the manipulative behavior unbecoming a church official. The chief reason behind the manipulation of the Kings was there vanity. In the story, flattery tartuffe, orgon, king, symbol, power, make, things, people, manipulation, god, devil, cardinals, true, story, pride, mazarin, louis, everyone, cléante, church, character, way, vanity, until, understand, under, truly, strives, sit, similar, shown, showed, show, right, richelieu