# Tartuffe — Tartuffe character guide

> Tartuffe in Tartuffe by Molière.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Tartuffe, Mister Tartuffe

**First appearance:** 0002-tartuffe

## Snapshot

A pious fraud who turns every kindness into leverage, Tartuffe trades on Orgon's worshipful trust while quietly reaching for his wife's fingertips.

## Who they are

Tartuffe enters the household as a beggar turned spiritual adviser, and by Act I his influence over Orgon has already reshaped the family's plans and affections. His genius is a kind of double speech: to Orgon he is all humility and self-abasement, but alone with Elmire he presses her hand, strokes her lace, and murmurs that Heaven's charms shine in her face. That gap between the kneeling penitent and the scheming guest is the engine of the play's early and middle acts.

## Relationships

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

_psychological_

Orgon is completely infatuated and manipulated by Tartuffe, treating him as a spiritual guide while ignoring his family.

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

_psychological_

Elmire is the target of Tartuffe's lecherous advances, which she uses to trap him and reveal his hypocrisy.

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

_psychological_

Elmire is the target of Tartuffe's lecherous advances, which she uses to trap him and reveal his hypocrisy.

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

_psychological_

Orgon is completely infatuated and manipulated by Tartuffe, treating him as a spiritual guide while ignoring his family.

## Links

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