Money Wealth and Power - Essay Sample

Introduction

From all the existing records of stratified societies, the level of the hierarchy is mostly determined by the different capability to access or possess wealth. A wealthy person can easily exercise both the economic and political power as compared to an unfruitful person in the community. Money, wealth and power secure the sources of wealth which will create political independence. From the history of man, the association between the secured wealth and the political activities have shown to be one of the most imperishable linkages. In this paper, we will look at how money wealth and power has affected the society from Tartuffe's Act.

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Discuss Orgon's Wealth and Position in Society

Orgon's life and family have displayed wealth and position in society in this play. From the Tartuffe Act, Orgon is a wealthy man, and he is at a higher social class in society. That is why Tartuffe approaches that family and not any other. The way Tartuffe presents himself towards Orgon is so that he can get a firsthand in the wealth owned by Orgon's family. "Hold your tongue! If he has nothing, know that we ought to esteem him for it. His poverty is honest poverty, which raises him above all grandeur because he has suffered himself, in short, to be deprived of his fortune by his negligence for things temporal and his strong attachment to things eternal. " (Molière).

Tartuffe clearly shows that he intended to be close to Orgon so that he could be included in the will. As Orgon is speaking to Doreen, it is evident that he has so much wealth that will allow him to host a stranger and provide for his needs. He sympathizes with the Tartufee saying that he was destitute, and it was time for him to make him accumulate his wealth.

Orgon's conversation to Tartuffe is evident that he is a wealthy person."I see he reproves without distinction; and that even concerning my wife, he is too cautious of my honour. He acquaints me who ogles her, and is six times more jealous of her than I am."Orgon makes this statement to his brother-in-law on how to he has encountered Tartuffe.

From the statement, it can be seen that Orgon believed in the words of Tartuffe, and by now, he believes in Tartuffe more than his family. When he is told about Tartuffe having an affair with his wife, he does not believe them. This proves enough that there is a betrayal to his family. He even goes to the extent of thinking that his wife could be the one on the wrong and not giving attention to know the whereabouts of his wife when he arrives at home. "A father, I own, has such a command over one that I never dared to make him a reply."These are Marianne's words after the dad had forced him to marry Tartuffe. During this period, Fathers held a position in their households just as the King in the French leadership. They had absolute power on what decision their families made. Orgon behaviour seen from the act shows how his family was in the blink of collapsing from the first chapter when the play starts and his wife was preparing herself to depart from her house due to the unacceptable behaviours of Orgon. Tartuffe is the cause of all Orgon problems because he is a greedy impostor who is only interested in luring Orgon's to include him in his will.

Hence, Marianne was subjective to every decision his father made concerning her marriage even though she had been engaged to Valere. "I'll have no other heir but you, and I'm going forthwith to sign you a deed of gift for my real estate. A true and hearty friend that I fix on for a son-in-law is far dearer to me than either son, wife, or kindred. You won't refuse what I propose?" This is proof that Orgon is a very wealthy person. He signs all his property to Tartuffe. He disregards his family while giving out his wealth. Being a haste person when it comes to making decisions, he does not consider the consequences.

Also, being at his position makes him unquestionable."He teaches me to set my heart upon nothing; he disengages my mind from friendships or relations, and I could see my brother, children, mother, wife, all expire, and not regard it more than this(Molière)." Orgon makes this statement, which illustrates that he is no longer concerned about his family. This has made him forget his close people because Tartuffe has blinded him to only concentrate on him alone.

Discuss corrupt churchmen with references from the text.

The aspect of corrupt churchmen in the Tartuffe has illustrated as much as it did not involve the church as a whole, religious leaders whose behaviours brought about the element of religious hypocrisy. During this time, the Catholic church all over Europe was being faced by various challenges; hence criticizing such behaviour was crucial for Moliere to bring about in the play. In the play, Tartuffe presents himself as a very holy and very religious person to Orgon's family. However, he is entirely the opposite of the person he pretends to be.

He starts by earning Orgon's trust to the extent of him not believing what his family told him about Tartuffe's destructive behaviours. Tartuffe planned to enable him to have control over Orgon's wealth. This portrays the evil intentions that Tartuffe had on Orgon despite him being viewed as a saint.

Tartuffe goes to the extent of helping Orgon make significant decisions, allowing him to have more insight into Orgon's wealth. Another behaviour that Tartuffe had that was contrary to his hypocritical holy behaviour is having an affair with his friend's wife. Orgon goes to the extent of writing his wealth to Tartuffe, who was a total stranger to him.

Role Of King With Regards To Questions Of Honor

Orgon welcomed a stranger to his home as a symbol of love and kindness, but instead, Tartuffe takes an advantage to gain Orgon's wealth. Usually, churchmen are said to be honest and without evil intentions towards others. Also, from the church teachings, it is a sin to have an affair with a married person, which Tartuffe does. The fact that Tartuffe is manipulating Orgon is by itself against religion as a religious person is expected to be open and correct each other while they are making a mistake.

From Orgon's point of view, his allowing Tartuffe in his house was to feel near to God or even get to gain some sense of security since he is a having a religious person around him. Cleante, on the other hand, gives the correct perspective of a holy man. He describes a sacred man as one who does not brag about his material possessions; he does not condemn others; he is humble, does not aim to gain any social or political favours. From this, we get to see the corrupt churchmen who pretend to be who they are not.

How Tartuffe Uses Sex/Love As A Way To Cover Up Greed

Despite Tartuffe's pretending to be a holy person, his lustful desires come seen as he tries to have an affair with Orgon's wife. As much as there is no actual sex scene being witnessed in the play, Tartuffe tries to seduce Elmire, Orgon's wife. Orgon's family tries their best to convince Orgon what Tartuffe was up to, but he is not convinced. They hence come up with a plan that will help them trap Tarfutte, but still, Orgon does not believe.

When Damis, Orgon's son, explains to his father what he witnessed, Tarfutte confesses to being the worst sinner and makes Damis to looks as if he was lying. He even goes ahead to banish his son from their house. As a punishment, Orgon says that Tartuffe should be around his wife more often. It is until Elmire convinces him to witness what Tartuffe was up to. It is at this point that Orgon believes what his family was telling him all along. He chases Tartuffe out of his house. It is his lustful desire towards madam Elmiere that terminates his stay at Orgon's home.

Conclusion

In summary, the main factors that create a sense of dictatorship are our society is the difference in wealth possession. Mostly many people in power, for example, leaders, tend to create a barrier to hinder his or her succession to protect his or her sources of wealth. Finally, the link between landed wealth and power can be seemed as indestructible it has an end. From the article, I would recommend that people with wealth and management should be humble and generous to other people.

Work Cited

Molière, Jean-Baptiste. Tartuffe. Larousse, 2011.