Act 3, Scene 2

wrote

Home Browse Learn Community Write

Loading…

wrote

Where dramatic writing is found, understood, performed, and made.

Monologues Library Learn Community Write

Act 3, Scene 2 — reading · wrote

← Tartuffe

Tartuffe · Act 3, Scene 2 · scene 12 of 33

TARTUFFE, DORINE

TARTUFFE (speaking to his valet, off the stage, as soon as he sees Dorine is there) Lawrence, put up my hair-cloth shirt and scourge, And pray that Heaven may shed its light upon you. If any come to see me, say I'm gone To share my alms among the prisoners.

DORINE (aside) What affectation and what showing off!

TARTUFFE

What do you want with me?

DORINE

To tell you ... TARTUFFE (taking a handkerchief from his pocket) Ah! Before you speak, pray take this handkerchief.

DORINE

What?

TARTUFFE

Cover up that bosom, which I can't Endure to look on. Things like that offend Our souls, and fill our minds with sinful thoughts.

DORINE

Are you so tender to temptation, then, And has the flesh such power upon your senses? I don't know how you get in such a heat; For my part, I am not so prone to lust, And I could see you stripped from head to foot, And all your hide not tempt me in the least.

TARTUFFE

Show in your speech some little modesty, Or I must instantly take leave of you.

DORINE

No, no, I'll leave you to yourself; I've only One thing to say: Madam will soon be down, And begs the favour of a word with you.

TARTUFFE

Ah! Willingly. DORINE (aside) How gentle all at once! My faith, I still believe I've hit upon it.

TARTUFFE

Will she come soon?

DORINE

I think I hear her now. Yes, here she is herself; I'll leave you with her.

← PreviousAct 3, Scene 1 Next →Act 3, Scene 3

✦ AIStudy this passageplain English

Three ways in, all in plain English. Side by side pairs the original with a modern rendering, line by line. In contexttells you what’s happening and what the character wants. Glossary unpacks the tricky words. Pick a lens above.

AI-generated study aid — trust the original text first; treat this as a gloss.

Takes

No takes yet — be the first to log how you’d play it.

All scenes: Tartuffe