Explain the vices or problems Tartuffe represents and explain whether or not Tartuffe is the only to blame for the problems in Tartuffe.

Tartuffe is an extremely
entertaining, satirical play, written by Moliere, a famous playwright with a flair for
comedy--with the purpose of pointing out the foibles of society.  In this case,
Moliere's intention is to highlight the hypocrisy of French society regarding its
tendency to preach religious and moral standards to others, while disregarding those
same standards for themselves.

In this play, Tartuffe is a
charming con man.  He makes the acquaintance of a very wealthy man, Orgon.  Without much
thought, Orgon takes Tartuffe into his home as a guest although Tartuffe is a
stranger.

Tartuffe acts like a very holy and religious man.
 Orgon, taken in by this charlatan, asks Tartuffe to reside with the family as a moral
guide, and he offers Tartuffe the best of everything, including his attention and
affection--even better than what Orgon's family receives. Orgon even goes as far as to
plan Tartuffe's marriage to Orgon's daughter.

Although he
is warned by others that Tartuffe is a fraud, Orgon can see no fault in Tartuffe until
Orgon catches the con man making advances toward his own
wife.

However, Tartuffe is not wholly to blame.  Moliere
structures the play around Tartuffe who represents the hypocrisy of French society, as
Moliere sees it.  (The Church banned the play for several years.) However, Tartuffe is
simply the foil used to expose Orgon, who represents that portion of society that is
gullible and foolish.  Had Orgon not been so easily duped, if he had been able to
consider the advice of those around him in seeing Tartuffe more objectively, Tartuffe
would certainly never have been allowed to have his way in Orgon's home.  It is only
when Orgon can see for himself (another character of human nature) that the foolish man
finally believes what others have been trying to tell
him.

In the meantime, as he tries to throw Tartuffe out,
Tartuffe threatens revenge by taking secret documents Orgon had told Tartuffe about, to
the King.  It looks like Orgon is about to lose everything for having foolishly taken
Tartuffe into his confidence, but at the last minute, the King's men arrest Tartuffe for
other crimes he has committed.  The play ends as Orgon tries to put his life back in
order.

Orgon has learned that although Tartuffe is to blame
for specific misdeeds against Orgon and his family, that Orgon himself is guilty of
letting Tartuffe into his home and putting those closest to him in jeopardy by placing
Tartuffe above them in his heart and mind.