The ongoing imbroglio involving the former minister of national security and the recent comments by the Attorney General, as reported in the Daily Express of May 5, that "one could not have used Jack Warner's Fifa record and behaviour to deny him a ministerial appointment in May 2010," reminds me of Tartuffe, one of the most famous theatrical comedies of all time. Tartuffe or The Impostor, written by Moli�re in 1664, is considered among the greatest classical theatre roles.
Moliere's play illuminates the hypocrisy that was running rampant in France at that time. Tartuffe is a religious hypocrite who tries to get the title to his friend's Orgon estate by sending him to jail. In the play, Tartuffe is an obvious opportunist, a renegade, and a con man, who will play any kind of a trick to gain his desires. Religious piety simply happens to be the cloak that best conceals his motives from the gullible. Tartuffe is smart, a skillful actor, and he makes the most of his opportunities.
Orgon's family is up in arms because Orgon and his mother have fallen under the influence of Tartuffe. Tartuffe pretends to be someone he is not, and Orgon and his mother, Madame Pernelle, no longer take any action without first consulting him. One could even say that Orgon and his mother had become sycophants.
As Tartuffe so dramatically exemplifies, once blind faith has entered the scene, it becomes a weakness of character. In fact, strong evidence is usually translated in the mind of the true upholder that there is a definite conspiracy against the accused. What is much worse is that Tartuffe does not hesitate to cause others pain and suffering all in the firm and righteous conviction that he is showing courage and strength of character and he is the victim.
However, history is replete with examples that war and most of the really shocking crimes are seldom the machinations of rascals and renegades like Tartuffe, but usually the handiwork of dedicated, self-sacrificing true sycophants like Orgon and his dear old mother, Madame Pernelle. Professional hypocrites like Tartuffe seem instinctively to sense this and prey upon willing victims. It matters little whether their belief relates to religion, race, politics, or sport.
So effective was Moli�re's satire that the word Tartuffe has become part of the English language. Luckily in the end, Tartuffe's hypocrisy is revealed to Orgon and punishment follows quickly. I wait and hope with bated breath that sooner rather than later our modern day Tartuffe will suffer the same fate.
C Michael Selvon
Maracas, St Joseph
