Tartuffe: Act 2, Scene 4 Summary & Analysis

Valère enters, stunned and angry at the news that Mariane may be betrothed to Tartuffe. Ever submissive and docile, Mariane cannot tell her true beloved that she wishes to marry him and not Tartuffe. Even further enraged, Valère spitefully tells Mariane that he advises her to marry Tartuffe. Equally hurt, Mariane agrees to do as he says. The quarrel escalates, with Valère accusing Mariane of never having loved him, and Mariane retorting that he should find another lady who will love him as he deserves. Dorine watches, equally amused and appalled.

After Mariane tells him to seek consolation in the arms of another rather than pining after her, the livid Valère goes to leave. Instead of exiting, however, he continues to tell Mariane that she has driven him away (without actually leaving); Mariane, in turn, stubbornly agrees with him. As Valère reluctantly goes to leave, Dorine at last steps in, physically pulling the lovers towards each other and telling them that they are both “mad.”

After a scene during which Dorine comically runs back and forth between Valère and Mariane in order to keep them from leaving the stage, the maid forcefully tells the lovers how ridiculous they’ve been, urging them to reconcile. At last she makes them hold hands, at which point they smile at each other—and then begin to fight again. Dorine cuts them off completely, and reminds them that Orgon’s plan to marry Mariane to Tartuffe must be stopped. She advises Mariane to “postpone” the marriage by pretending to be sick or superstitious, and urges Valère to tell others of Orgon’s foolishness.

Heartened by Dorine’s words, Valère and Mariane pledge their undying love to each other. Dorine, exasperated by the pair of them, physically pushes them away from each.