Tartuffe · Character

Dorine

The maid who talks back to everyone, Dorine sees through Tartuffe from the start and refuses to let the family's foolishness go unchallenged.

major

Also known as Dorine Do, Dorine Withdrawing, Dorine Gently, Dorine Madam, Dorine To Orgon, Dorine Tartuffe

First appearance: tartuffe

As a major figure in Tartuffe, Dorine is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Dorine in tartuffe Book page

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Dorine is the household's sharpest tongue and clearest eye, a servant whose loyalty licenses her to mock her betters to their faces. When Mariane despairs over being married to Tartuffe, Dorine's response is not comfort but provocation: she threatens to let the marriage go through until Mariane stops sulking and starts resisting. Her running commentary on the courtship of Mariane and Valère exposes how much of the family's trouble comes from pride and stubbornness rather than genuine obstacles.

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The fuller portrait of Dorine sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Dorine in tartuffe

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Dorine sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship

Character groups

Protagonist
Main Dramatis Personae
Peripheral or Referenced Figures

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because Orgon’s emotional and psychological peak—his blind, tearful rage aga…

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Relationships

Orgon
professional · negative
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind… How this plays out →
Madame Pernelle
professional · negative
Elmire
friendship · positive
Damis
friendship · positive
Valère
friendship · positive
Mr. Loyal
professional · negative
Cléante
friendship · positive
Orgon
professional · negative
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind… How this plays out →
Madame Pernelle
professional · negative
Orgon
professional · negative
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind… How this plays out →
Madame Pernelle
professional · negative
Mr. Loyal
professional · negative

Orgon
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind devotion to Tartuffe.
Madame Pernelle
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Elmire
Dorine is Elmire's loyal ally, working together to expose Tartuffe and protect the household.
Damis
Damis and Dorine share a mutual disdain for Tartuffe and often conspire to thwart him.
Valère
Dorine acts as a confidante and matchmaker for Valère, helping him navigate his relationship with Mariane.
Mr. Loyal
Dorine confronts Mr. Loyal with sarcasm and hostility, recognizing him as an agent of Tartuffe's treachery.
Cléante
Cléante and Dorine share a pragmatic alliance, both trying to restore reason to Orgon's household.
Orgon
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind devotion to Tartuffe.
Madame Pernelle
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Orgon
Dorine is Orgon's outspoken maid who constantly challenges his authority and blind devotion to Tartuffe.
Madame Pernelle
Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.
Mr. Loyal
Dorine confronts Mr. Loyal with sarcasm and hostility, recognizing him as an agent of Tartuffe's treachery.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Dorine in tartuffe