“Tartuffe” is a beautiful word, invented I suppose by Molière. One reason for the success of the play is that satire is perfect for critiquing religion. The absolute humorlessness of God sets up every joke perfectly. I’d like to see this play produced with the religious charlatan portrayed as a swami or Buddhist monk or “shamanic healer.” Molière even zeroed in on the one consistent flaw of these Holy Men. (Why is their weak spot always sex, not money or war or ocean voyages? After a hard day of fake devotion, a man’s penis is hungry for love.)
Incidentally, I read this play in French.