MARIANE from “Tartuffe”

Age: 20s

Mariane is Orgon’s daughter by his first wife; stepdaughter to Elmire. Mariane is innocent, shy, somewhat naive, and deeply in love with Valère, the man to whom Orgon has promised her in marriage. Mariane is also a dutiful daughter, accustomed to obeying Orgon.

MARIANE. 

Sir, by that Heaven which sees me here distressed, 

And by whatever else can move your breast, 

Do not employ a father’s power, I pray you, 

To crush my heart and force it to obey you, 

Nor by your harsh commands oppress me so 

That I’ll begrudge the duty which I owe— 

And do not so embitter and enslave me 

That I shall hate the very life you gave me.

 If my sweet hopes must perish, if you refuse 

To give me to the one I’ve dared to choose, 

Spare me at least—I beg you, I implore—  

The pain of wedding one whom I abhor; 

And do not, by a heartless use of force, 

Drive me to contemplate some desperate course.