Reading 'Tartufo' online for free can be a bit tricky since it’s a classic play by Molière, and copyright laws vary depending on the edition. I’ve stumbled across a few places where older translations might be available, like Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive—they often host public domain works. If you’re into theater, you might also find performances or scripts uploaded by drama groups, though those aren’t always the full text.
Another angle is checking university libraries or open-access academic sites. Sometimes professors share translations for educational purposes. Just be cautious about sketchy sites claiming to have it; they often spam you with ads or malware. I once found a beautifully scanned 19th-century edition on Google Books, but the language was archaic, so it’s a trade-off!
Tartufo, or 'Tartuffe' as it's often called, is this classic French play by Molière, and let me tell you, the characters are a riot! The main guy is Tartuffe himself—a total hypocrite who pretends to be super pious but is actually a scheming fraud. Then there's Orgon, the head of the household who’s completely fooled by Tartuffe’s act, much to everyone else’s frustration. His wife, Elmire, is way sharper and sees right through Tartuffe’s nonsense. Their kids, Damis and Mariane, are caught up in the chaos too, with Mariane’s love life nearly ruined by Orgon’s blind trust in Tartuffe.
And let’s not forget Dorine, the sassy maid who steals every scene she’s in—she’s got the best one-liners and isn’afraid to call out the absurdity. Cleante, Orgon’s level-headed brother-in-law, tries to be the voice of reason, but good luck getting through to Orgon! The whole thing is a wild ride of deception, family drama, and satire that still feels fresh today. Honestly, Dorine’s wit alone makes it worth reading.
I was actually just discussing this with a friend who's into classic literature! 'Tartufo' is the Italian version of Molière's famous play 'Tartuffe,' and yes, there are multiple English translations available. The most widely read one is probably the Richard Wilbur translation from the 1960s, which does a fantastic job preserving the rhyming couplets while making it feel natural in English. I personally love how he keeps the satirical tone sharp—you can practically hear Molière's wit dripping off the page.
If you're looking for something more modern, there's also a 2008 version by Ranjit Bolt that plays with language in a really dynamic way. It's less rigid with the rhyme scheme but captures the hypocrisy and humor of the original beautifully. Either way, the story of a con artist exploiting religious piety feels weirdly relevant today, doesn't it? I always end up laughing at Tartuffe's antics while also side-eying society.