An analysis of Molière's satire of social issues A man, or rather a demon in the flesh and inhabited by man, the most impious and libertine creature that has ever lived over the centuries, had the impiety and abomination to bring out of his diabolical mind a theatrical work [Tartuffe]... He deserves for this sacrilegious and impious act... to be burned at the stake as a foretaste of the flames of hell. Pierre Roulle (1664) Moliere lived a life surrounded by controversy. After giving up his position as Valet de Chambre Tapissier to pursue an acting career, Molière formed a theater company called "The Illustrious Theatre"; with his mistress's family, the Bejarts. The troupe struggled for two years before collapsing in 1645 under the weight of huge debts. Moliere was soon arrested for bankruptcy. After bail was posted, he fled France with Madeline Bejart. Moliere returned to France some time later, after his father paid off his debts. He soon married Armande Bejart, the sister or daughter of his first lover, Madeline. His enemies accused him of incest. Not only his personal life, but also his plays were considered a matter of controversy. Many were considered blasphemous. The truffle, for example, was banned from performance for five years. Controversy followed Molière until the day of his death, when he was refused burial in the local cemetery because his remains would have offended sacred ground. Molière thus left the world in as agitated a manner as he had lived (Hobdell 102-105). Comedies, of which Tartuffe is an example, aggressively satirize the issues and relationships that communities care about most. The purpose of this essay is to identify these situations, as found in Tartuffe, and illustrate how they were important to the society for which it was written. By examining the abuse of religion, the destruction of paternal authority, and the corruption of the host-guest relationship, I demonstrate the ways in which these satirical issues were considered threats to society. A person who abuses religion has always been considered some kind of threat to society. This was especially true in the 1600s, when Tartuffe was written. Tartuffe, before his character is actually revealed, is discussed by the other characters as if he were feigning his piety: "You imagine he is a saint but, believe me, he is nothing but a hypocrite!"; While all the other family members can see that Tartuffe is a fake, Orgon refuses to believe it.