The second comic technique involves the wise servant contradicting and ridiculing the master. That Dorine is a wise servant is shown in the logical arguments she puts forth against the marriage: (1) she suggests that Tartuffe is not a pious person who worships poverty; this cannot be because he is constantly bragging about his lands and his noble birth. Such wordly pride does not blend with his pretended piety; (2) if Tartuffe really cared for only saintly matters, he would not be interested in marriage or finances; and (3) if one marries a girl to someone whom she detests, this is the easiest way to make a wife violate her marriage vows.
Orgon, in the grips of his absurd proposal, cannot listen to rational arguments. Consequently, Dorine begins to ridicule him. The comic technique then involves the master making a serious assertion only to be cut by a sarcastic observation from the maid. Furthermore, the exasperation which Orgon causes by his proposal is then reversed as Dorine exasperates him. She pretends that she cannot be silent because she loves her master so much that she can't let him make such a dreadful error.
Throughout the scene, we note then that the servant is in control of the situation — and the master. Consequently, since Orgon cannot control even his servant, he is then exposed as being even more ridiculous.
