# Madame Pernelle — Tartuffe character guide

> Madame Pernelle in Tartuffe by Molière.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Madame Pernelle Sir, Madame Pernelle Eh, Madame Pernelle Daughter

**First appearance:** 0002-tartuffe

## Snapshot

Orgon's mother, a fierce old prude who storms out of the house rather than endure one word against her beloved Tartuffe.

## Who they are

Madame Pernelle sweeps through her son's household like a one-woman inquisition, scolding Elmire's gatherings, Dorine's tongue, and her grandchildren's very existence before flouncing off with her maid. Her devotion to Tartuffe is absolute and theatrical, and her tirades reveal a woman who mistakes austerity for virtue and control for love. She matters because she doubles Orgon's blindness, making the family's isolation complete and showing that Tartuffe's grip extends across two generations.

## Relationships

### [Dorine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/dorine)

_professional_

Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.

### [Orgon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/orgon)

_family_

Madame Pernelle is Orgon's mother, and she strongly supports his infatuation with Tartuffe, sharing his blind faith.

### [Damis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/damis)

_family_

Damis is Madame Pernelle's grandson, and she scolds him for his rebellious attitude toward Tartuffe.

### [Elmire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/elmire)

_family_

Elmire is Madame Pernelle's daughter-in-law, and they have a strained relationship due to differing views on Tartuffe.

### [The Officer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/the_officer)

_social_

Madame Pernelle encounters the Officer at the play's climax, where he enforces the King's justice against Tartuffe.

### [Cléante](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/cleante)

_family_

Cléante is Madame Pernelle's son-in-law, and he attempts to moderate her extreme views with calm logic.

### [Mr. Loyal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/mr_loyal)

_social_

Madame Pernelle initially defends Tartuffe but later turns against him after witnessing his betrayal.

### [Dorine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/dorine)

_professional_

Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.

### [Dorine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/dorine)

_professional_

Dorine frequently clashes with Madame Pernelle, who dismisses her as impertinent and disrespectful.

### [Orgon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/orgon)

_family_

Madame Pernelle is Orgon's mother, and she strongly supports his infatuation with Tartuffe, sharing his blind faith.

### [Damis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/damis)

_family_

Damis is Madame Pernelle's grandson, and she scolds him for his rebellious attitude toward Tartuffe.

### [Elmire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/elmire)

_family_

Elmire is Madame Pernelle's daughter-in-law, and they have a strained relationship due to differing views on Tartuffe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters/madame_pernelle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tartuffe_se/characters