Tartuffe: or The Impostor, or The Hypocrite

Tartuffe, or The Impostor, or The Hypocrite, first performed in 1664, is one of the most famous theatrical comedies by Moli re. The characters of Tartuffe, Elmire, and Orgon are considered among the greatest classical theatre roles. As a result of Moli re's play, contemporary French and English both use the word "tartuffe" to designate a hypocrite who ostensibly and exaggeratedly feigns virtue, especially religious virtue. The play is written entirely in 1,962 twelve-syllable lines (alexandrines) of rhyming couplets.