How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Every time a character talks counts as one line, even if what they say turns into a long monologue. We used Richard Wilbur's translation.
Quote #10
Cléante:
"Why weren't you moved to give your evidence
Until your outraged host had driven you hence?
I shan't say that the gift of all his treasure
Ought to have damped your zeal in any measure;
But if he is a traitor, as you declare,
How could you condescend to be his heir?"
Tartuffe (To the Officer):
"Sir, spare me all this clamor; it's growing shrill." (5.7)
Tartuffe has no answer for Cléante's allegations, and with good reason: Cléante has just pointed out as flagrant a case of hypocrisy as any. Tartuffe, who claims to be a moral man, is willing to be the heir of a supposedly immoral person. It's a real "gotcha" moment.