Where's the Danger?

The controversy that surrounded Tartuffe in the 17th century, and the reason behind its being forbidden, made me begin to think...

I understand that Louis XIV, as an absolute ruler, did not want any form of entertainment that would allow his subjects to interpret things for themselves. It is an easy way to undermine everything Louis' regime stood for and fought to install in French society. So although he like Moliere and was entertained by his plays, I understand why Louis XIV banned the play. Louis needed absolute control over every aspect of his people's lives.

In defense of his play, Moliere asks the question:

"That by putting it onstage I make it dangerous?"

I think Moliere meant that the challenge to a doctrine, people questioning a specific Church truth, is dangerous anywhere. Just by publicly proclaiming it onstage does not make the idea troublesome - it already exists and is a problem! As a writer, Moliere is just drawing attention to this specific social/religious threat.

I would argue that Moliere is correct - he is not creating the questions themselves...but he is making them more publicized. He is making these problems more real by bringing them out in the open.