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Act 4, Scene 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Tartuffe, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Hypocrisy
Reason vs. Emotion
Religion, Piety, and Morals
Family and Fathers
Appearances and Beauty
Summary
Analysis
Appalled, Orgon comes out of hiding, but Elmire (despite signaling him moments before) tells him to go back under the table, telling him that she must convince him further and urging him not to be “hasty” in making his judgment. As Tartuffe re-enters, Elmire hides her husband behind her skirts.
Even though she has finally convinced Orgon of her side of the story, Elmire is still attempting to teach her husband how to be thoughtful and rational. At the same time, Orgon hidden behind Elmire’s skirts while Tartuffe attempts to seduce her is also just plain funny.
Themes
