Deception in Tartuffe, Phaedra and the Marriage of Figaro In literature, deception can provide motivation for characters, provide comedy, play a role in advance the plot or exist as a subtheme. The works considered so far in our studies provide excellent examples of the use of deception in the ways mentioned above. This essay will focus on the act(s) of deception in Molière's Tartuffe, Racine's Phaedra, and Beaumarchais's The Marriage of Figaro. In Molière's Tartuffe, the main action of the play is focused on the deception of Orgon played by Tartuffe. Tartuffe is a hypocritically pious Christian, much like modern-day televangelists. His nature is best illustrated in the second scene of the third act with: Hang up my sackcloth, put away my scourge, and pray, Laurent, for the perpetual grace of Heaven. Now I'm going to prison, to share my last coins. with the poor wretches there. This statement, made for Dorina's benefit, illustrates Tartuffe's hypocritical nature. Tartuffe's religious piety is much like his hair...