TRANSLATION     WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?
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COMEDY AND TRAGEDY
A final challenge for the translator of Moliere's Tartuffe is that the play is at times very funny, at other times very serious.  An effective translation must capture the hilariously comic moments  in the play as well as its moments of deep seriousness and near-tragedy. 

The comic high point of the play is Act IV, sc. 5,  when Tartuffe is trying to make love to Elmire while Orgon, under the table, remains silent. Much of the hilarity of this scene can't  be translated; it must be seen. But the words used by Orgon when he finally emerges have to be especially well-chosen to provide a comic climax to the scene. Here's how six translators have translated Orgon's words; you can decide which you like best.

Immediately afterward, however, when Orgon has confronted Tartuffe and made him leave the house, he realizes that Tartuffe not only has the deed to his house but the papers which may cause the King to condemn Orgon as a traitor. From then on, the play becomes very serious as it seems Orgon's gullibility will lead to the loss of his property, his family, and possibly his life.  

Finally, at the end of the play, a long speech by the Officer provides the final turn in the action, saving Orgon and his family through the King's intervention. The words and style here must be appropriately formal as the Officer gives praise to an all-powerful King. Following are the key lines of the speech, in Frame's translation:

Although the Officer's praise of the King will undoubtedly seem excessive to modern audiences, and are sometimes performed with a humorous edge, the words do need to be translated -- and taken -- seriously. For in fact they reinforce the central theme of Moliere's play:  the importance of see[ing] into [the] heart and not being fooled by an imposter's art. _______________________________________________________________

To conclude this discussion of Tartuffe translations, let's go back to the questions raised at the beginning of the module:  Why are there so many translations of Tartuffe? And which is the "best" translation? The answer to  both questions is that many translations are needed because no translation can be the "best." Each translation has its positive and negative qualities; no one translation can ever be entirely accurate, performable, and meaningful to a wide audience of readers and viewers. Over the past three centuries since this play was first performed, scores of translations have been made and many more will continue to be made, so that audiences can continue to enjoy one of Moliere's greatest plays.

If you're interested in obtaining further information about Moliere and Tartuffe, the following websites may be helpful:

<http://www.site-moliere.com> Contains biography of Moliere, online texts, and commentaries. The site is in both French and English; be sure to scroll down each page for the English version.

<http://www.theatrehistory.com>  Click on <French Theatre> and <Moliere>.