World Literature II (ENGL-2333-DK---WEB, 2023-SP)

Tartuffe, written by Molière, tells the story of a religious charlatan who attempts to scam a wealthy man and his family. The character of Tartuffe is often compared to modern-day celebrities, as they can both affect people's lives and have an immense amount of influence. In many ways, celebrities are similar to Tartuffe, as they often use their power and influence to manipulate those around them and take advantage of those who may be vulnerable. Stars can often take advantage of their fame, manipulating their fans and followers to get what they want. This can be seen in Tartuffe, as he attempts to gain control of the wealthy man's estate. Celebrities also have immense influence in the media, often using it to spread their message. This is similar to how Tartuffe uses his religious rhetoric to sway the opinions of those around him. In this way, celebrities and Tartuffe are similar, as both use their power and influence to manipulate those around them for their own gain. Will Smith is an example of a celebrity who used his influence to make Chris Rock look bad, using his platform to broadcast his actions around the country. He is the perfect example of how celebrities should not use their power and influence for their own gain. He attempted to raise himself and lower Chris Rock.