Biographical information about the author: Francois-Marie Arouet, better known as Voltaire, was born in 1694 in Paris, France. Though his father wanted him to become a lawyer, Voltaire long held a great passion for writing, and rather than going to law school, spent his time extensively composing poetry, essays, and historical studies. His widespread recognition as an author was established with the publication of the play “Oedipus”, a variation on the original Greek tragedy, in 1718. In 1726, after a fight with a French nobleman, Voltaire was exiled to England. There, he was exposed to a vast array of new philosophical ideas, specifically the concept of a constitutional monarchy and support for the freedoms of speech and religion, as well as the works of Shakespeare and Isaac Newton. He later returned to France, moving into a new home, Chateau de Cirey, with his wife, Emilie du Chatelet. The relationship between the two was highly intellectual, as they were both deeply intrigued by history, philosophy, and Newtonian physics. Greatly influenced by his earlier stay in England, Voltaire began to develop some of the ideas for which he is best known during this time, including his support for the separation of church and state and criticisms of both religious intolerance and certain religious practices. In 1736, Voltaire came in contact with Frederick the Great of Prussia, one of his admirers, and worked alongside him for several years in Prussia, until being exiled after a political dispute in 1752. Returning to France, Voltaire tied together his various experiences with philosophy, religion, and politics in writing his magnum opus, “Candide”, published in 1759. Having undergone a lengthy exile, Voltaire did not return to his city of origin, Paris, until 1778, shortly before his death. Voltaire’s diverse and highly…
The role and authority of religion have been extremely controversial subjects during the Enlightenment Era in the 17th and 18th century. One of the most disputed questions was regarding religious toleration in Europe. The philosophes Voltaire and Moses Mendelssohn serve as exemplary models for the dispute and the diverse ideologies that emerged from this debate. Their background and historical context did not only shape their thinking and ideologies, but also their writing styles. On one hand, Voltaire was French, born and raised as a Christian amongst the aristocrats and acquired an excellent education. On the other hand, Mendelssohn was born in the Holy Roman Empire and was raised into Jewish traditions and religion; however, he was not part of the elite an did not receive a first-class education. Additionally, the two documents that will be analyzed and compared in this paper are, Treatise on Tolerance…
The Renaissance began after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. This event would be one of the first to mark off the beginning of a new revolution in Europe, affecting the future world tremendously. The humanist movement of the European Renaissance the Protestant Reformation transformed Western Culture by developing a successful printing press, revoking traditional methods and ideas, and strengthening forces through intellectual reforms.…
Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote plays and poems in historic period and wrote one in every of the foremost noted love tragedy, lover and Juliet.…
In a time of violence and revolutions, there are a many controversial topics to write about. Voltaire and Olaudah Equiano wrote about many of these topics, and put their beliefs into stories. Voltaire and Olaudah Equiano were two very influential writers during the 1700’s. Their ideas and beliefs challenged normal actions of people at the time. These authors came from very different backgrounds. The experiences they faced throughout their lives helped shaped the ideas and beliefs they portrayed in their stories. Because they have experienced very different lives, the beliefs they get across in their stories are very different. Voltaire shows his beliefs throughout the story Candide. While Olaudah Equiano places his beliefs in a story of his life. These two men would disagree when talking about their ideas of optimism and religious beliefs.…
The eighteenth century was an era in which cultural and intellectual forces, as well as reason and analysis were extremely important and emphasized throughout everyday life. It was encouraged by philosophers to challenge powerful authorities, authorities like the Catholic Church. Famous texts such as the "Encyclopedie," The Social Contract," and "Wealth Of Nations" all helped and were revolutionary in spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment. Religion in the Enlightenment period was enormous. Critical of the church and the corruption within it, was a philosopher by the name of Francois-Marie Arouet.…
Using the technology of his time, writing along with the help of the printing press, Voltaire was a “prolific writer” as he “produced works in almost every literary form” including “plays, poetry, novels, essays, historical and scientific works, over 21,000 letters and over two thousand books and pamphlets” (Mastin). For both good and bad reasons, these significant pieces of writing sent him around the world to further publicize his thoughts. The main unfortunate reason that Voltaire traveled so much was because of his multitude of exiles and times when he had no choice but to flee. However, Voltaire ended up in several different countries. At one point in 1748, Voltaire had settled in Poland with Madame du Châtelet.…
Most other countries find it odd that Americans have such patriotism . Each citizen tries to be a model of what it means to be an American. The novel East of Eden by John Steinbeck shows the American spirit and what it means to be an American. In this novel, the reader learns that in order to be a true American one must value education, have a desire to be virtuous, and strive to be an individual.…
His works of art are some of the most well-known and inspiring to all who see them. Although he influenced kings and common men alike his life was much of a mystery. He was not only and artist he was also a philosopher, architect, and help to lay the foundation for the discovery of human anatomy. He invented the smoky style of painting that you see in the background of the Mona Lisa and many of his other works of art. The secrets of his life and the discoveries that he made are one of the many reasons that the painting is constantly scrutinized.…
Voltaire had two older siblings, and his mother died when he was seven. His father wanted him to become a lawyer, but he wanted to be a writer.…
Using a satirical approach, Voltaire seeks to expose much of the misguided notions of the renaissance period in his book, Candide, or Optimism. Despite humanism thriving, Candide’s experiences show that life in the 1700’s was not easy, nor fair. The world was becoming more complicated as religiosity, politics, economics, and social life underwent massive changes, yet for everyday folks such as Candide, Pangloss, and Cunegonde, these changes did not have an immediate impact on the commoners wellbeing. In reading this book as a primary historical source, one must use caution due to Voltaire’s hyperbolic approach; Despite the style, the book is useful as a historical source as it conveys the optimism coursing through Europe’s veins during the…
He was a major figure in world literature due to his unique and profound works, whether it was his critical theories, short stories, or poems. He was a leading person during the Art for Art’s sake movement in the nineteenth-century literature. He understood and demonstrated a great understanding of the use of technique and language as well as made his own unique spin on literature by using his imagination. His writing inspired and influence the French Symbolists, like Paul Verlaine, which altered the course of modern literature. Because of this, Poe is a significant person in literary history. His theory of literary creation has two important points. A work needs to create a major effect on the reader to be considered a success. Also, this effect should occur due to the smallest detail of style and subject matter purposely. Especially in poetry, this needs to show the reader beauty, which Poe for the most part related to themes of sadness, loss, and bizarreness (Poetry Foundation). The French poet Paul Verlaine was born in 1844 and died in 1896. He was very admired by many people by the time that he died, however he had a very complicated relationship with the…
Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler and merchant had an immense impact on how the renaissance shaped, and personified the values of the renaissance in numerous ways. Throughout Marco Polo’s travels he collected new ideas and inventions from China, and back to Italy. Thus, later on was used often during the renaissance. His travels also influenced many young explorers to embark on their own journeys. As Polo traveled through the Middle East he absorbed the sights and smells. When Kahn sent Marco off to new travels, Polo would make many discoveries. A few of his included, paper money which revolutionized finance and commerce in Europe. Polo made most of discoveries while in Khan’s court as he would send him to travel. During this time in Cathay…
Candide lives in the castle of the baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh in Westphalia. Candide is the illegitimate son of the baron’s sister. His mother refused to marry his father because his father’s family tree could only be traced through “seventy-one quarterings.” The castle’s tutor, Pangloss, teaches “metaphysico-theologo-cosmolo-nigology” and believes that this world is the “best of all possible worlds.” Candide listens to Pangloss with great attention and faith. Miss Cunégonde, the baron’s daughter, spies Pangloss and a maid, Paquette, engaged in a lesson in “experimental physics.” Seized with the desire for knowledge, she hurries to find Candide. They flirt and steal a kiss behind a screen. The baron catches them and banishes Candide.…
Clocks The first mechanical clock was invented in the early 1300's. With this invention time began to be measured in hours (24 hours equaling a day).…