Moliere's Tartuffe was so controversial that the Catholic Church forced the King to ban it. What specifically was controversial about it?

1 Answer
May 3, 2018

Church leaders found it to be an attack against against the very foundations of religion

Explanation:

Even though it was very well received, the Church saw it as a direct attack. A play about a hypocritical criminal masquerading as a holy man did not make the church particularly happy. Also Orgon, a member of the higher class, was portrayed as a fool. Because of these reasons, the Church threatened excommunication for anyone relating to the play.