Tartuffe is the title character, talked about feverishly until his appearance in Act III. Orgon first noticed him in church, where he watched “the fervor of his prayers to heaven; with deep-drawn sighs and great ejaculations” (31). Tartuffe portrayed himself to Orgon as a poor man who took Orgon’s gifts of money and gave them to other poor folks. As a result, Orgon felt compelled to take Tartuffe into his home, where his extreme devotion raises the eyebrows of Orgon’s family members, who, with the exception of Madame Pernelle, do not see his piety as genuine.

Tartuffe is not only the antagonist of the play but also the true villain. Tartuffe’s presence leads to Orgon’s obsession—together, the two main sources of conflict in the play. Tartuffe’s first appearance has him giving a handkerchief to maid Dorine to hide her bosom or he will “instantly take leave” of her (88). His lust is also ignited by Orgon’s wife, Elmire, whom he attempts to seduce in Act III. The truth of Tartuffe’s nature slowly unfolds for the audience. By Act IV, he lets off the pious mask and cuts to the chase: “I’ve fooled [Orgon] so, he’d see all, and deny it” (135).