In 1658 the writer and actor Moliere is back in Paris after touring the kingdom of France with the troupe of his players. One day, a young lady asks him to follow her to the deathbed of her mother... Thirteen years earlier, Moliere already runs a troupe but goes broke and is thrown to prison. Fortunately for the hero his debt is covered by Monsieur Jourdain, a rich man who wants him to help him rehearse a one-act play he has written with a view of seducing a beautiful young widow, Celimene. As Jourdain is married to Elmire, and is the "respectable" father of two daughters his plan must remain secret so Moliere is introduced into the house as a priest … called Tartuffe.