Tartuffe, a play first performed in 1664, proves to unite humor with a greater purpose. Molière, the author of the play, uses wit in combination with amplification and mockery to attack the customs and traditions leading up to the Enlightenment period. Readers and viewers saw for themselves the ridiculousness of ideas in everything from politics to religion and everything in between. The play centers on the relationship between the head of the family, Orgon, and a crook, Tartuffe. Throughout the play, Orgon's authority is revealed to be less and weaker, even though he remains father, husband and advisor to the king. At the same time, the lesser of the two, Tartuffe, gains control and authority, surprisingly showing that Orgon does not, in fact, hold this type of power. Using wit, exaggeration, and an inversion of authority, Tartuffe demystifies common notions of tradition by leading people to rethink the typical principles and main characters of the Enlightenment. Orgon, advisor to the king and head of the family, loses his authority to a degenerate and deceptive Tartuffe, showing that trust should not be placed in the hands of someone who appears to be in control. Because Orgon pitied Tartuffe, he spends most of the play worshiping and focusing on the comfort and wealth of the liar who resides in his house. Tartuffe managed to make himself appear extremely poor, helpless and needy, deceiving Orgon and Madame Pernelle. The real proof of Orgon's pity and obsession with Tartuffe's well-being lies in the fact that Orgon ends up neglecting his family; he prefers the hypocrite above his family. As Orgon is blinded by Tartuffe, he not only removes Damis as his son and from his inheritance, but...... middle of paper ......ug in the fact that he will prevail and see never be the roles reversed again. (5.7). The ridiculous reaction adds a humorous end to the play, without distracting from the lessons that can be learned from Tartuffe. Tartuffe uses its satirical basis in order to make a statement and make readers and audiences laugh. The lessons are clear: test everything, don't just accept the rules of authority, power can be in the hands of "inferior" peoples, etc. By reversing the roles and simply pointing out the flaws in Orgon's authority, it becomes apparent that sometimes those in power don't do it. deserves to be. These lessons are accompanied by an element of humor. The exaggeration, parody and ridiculousness of certain scenes in the play are enough to make you laugh. A play rich in humor and stimulating ideas, Tartuffe ridicules the abuse of power..