Character Analysis

 

• The characters in Moliere’s plays are said to have been influenced by stock characters of commedia dell’arte.

Character list

Madame Pernelle: Pernelle is that typical mother-in-law character that you can find in commedia dell’arte. In this play she’s mother-in-law to Elmire and opposes the rest of the family except Orgon, she always takes his side.

Orgon: Orgon is the head of the household, the controller of the finances who ends up being tricked by Tartuffe and getting his wealth stolen, this kind of character was called the Pantalone or Miser in commedia del’arte. Eventually the king helps restore his wealth to him.

Elmire: Elmire is Orgon’s wife. Who tries to expose Tartuffe for the liar that he is. She comes up with the plan for Orgon to hide and watch as Tartuffe attempts to seduce her. Her character falls along the lines of the La Signora/Isabella character in commedia because she’s married to the Pantalone and is being chased after by more than one man.

Damis: Damis is the son of Orgon, he tries convincing Orgon that Tartuffe is a liar and hypocrite because he catches Tartuffe coming on to Elmire first. Orgon doesn’t listen to him. He also attempts to convince his grandmother Madame Pernelle because he knows Orgon would listen more to his mother. He wants Tartuffe gone so that he can peacefully marry Valère’s sister.

Mariane: Mariane is the daughter of Orgon. She is originally promised to marry Valère but Orgon changes his mind and tries to give her to Tartuffe to bring him into the family. Mariane is the Inamorata character as her love gets messy and confused with Valère, but their love pulls through.

Valère: He is Mariane’s fiancé. The Innamorato. Their love kind of moves the plot forward even though they are not the main characters.

Cléante: Orgon’s brother-in-law. Begins by attempting to be the voice of reason for Orgon, then later tries to convince Tartuffe himself to stop meddling in his family. He cares about his family and tries to do what’s best for them.

Tartuffe: Tartuffe’s character seems to be inspired by the Dottore character. The Dottore claims to know everything but doesn’t really know anything, he loves to listen to himself talk and claims to be a doctor of something. Tartuffe follows most of this, although he doesn’t claim to be a doctor, he claims to be very religiously pious and likes to talk about how pious he is. Also, could be inspired by the capitano character with his boastful attitude.

Dorine: Dorine is a servant to Mariane. She follows the Zagna (female Zanni)/ Columbina character type from commedia. She’s bold, she says what’s on her mind with the best interests for those she serves. She is smart too, she recognizes that Elmire has power over Tartuffe and can do something with that.

Monsieur Loyal: A bailiff that proclaims the news that Orgon must vacate the house that is no longer his on technicality. Claims he’s being kind by giving them a day to vacate.

The Exempt: Comes to arrest Tartuffe for getting caught in a lie by order of the king.

Flipote: Madame Pernelle’s lady’s maid, a servant character to show Pernelle’s status.

Laurent: Tartuffe’s servant.

Sources

https://commedia-dell-arte.com/characters/

https://www.italymask.co.nz/About+Masks/Commedia+dellArte+Characters.html

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CommediadellArte