Orgon, a wealthy bourgeois, and his prudish, bigoted mother, Madame Pernelle, have fallen under the spell of Tartuffe, a swindler masquerading as a holy man. Orgon has invited Tartuffe into his home and given him a seat at his table. He praises his piety. Orgon’s wife Elmire and his two children, Damis and Mariane, as well as the rest of the household, all see through Tartuffe’s deception. They try to disillusion Orgon, but he steadfastly remains deceived. He even orders Mariane to break her engagement to Valere (whom she loves) and marry Tartuffe.

Tartuffe attempts to seduce Elmire, but she eludes him. Damis overhears the encounter and tells his father what has happened. But Tartuffe dissembles so skillfully that Orgon, by deed of gift, gives everything he owns to Tartuffe, disinherits Damis, orders Mariane to marry Tartuffe and decrees that Elmire be seen in Tartuffe’s company, day and night.

Elmire, exasperated by her husband’s folly and lack of discernment, offers to show him how villainous and hypocritical Tartuffe really is. Not knowing that Orgon is hiding under a table and can hear everything, Tartuffe proposes to Elmire that she become his mistress, telling her it will be a sin only if it is found out. He also abuses Orgon as gullible and stupid.

Orgon confronts Tartuffe, who coolly tells him that because of the deed of gift, he, not Orgon, is master now. Tartuffe leaves, taking with him a strong box containing evidence that Orgon was indirectly involved in a treasonous conspiracy against the King.

A bailiff arrives with a writ evicting the family. Orgon is about to be arrested for treason and prepares to escape. Tartuffe returns at that moment, bringing an officer to carry Orgon to prison. The officer, however, is a representative of King Louis XIV and arrests not Orgon but Tartuffe. The King, having recognized the pious hypocrite as a notorious scoundrel, restores to Orgon his property and pardons his modest disloyalty.

For Families: Moliere’s famous farce of hypocrisy and manipulation is told with biting wit and escalating absurdity. Themes of sexuality are present, but there is no profanity. Best enjoyed by young people 12 and up with some exposure to Moliere’s language.