1. Voltaire & Candide

2. Background: Voltaire (1694-1778)
One of the most influential 18th-century writers
Also one of the most prolific: hundreds of books and over 20,000 letters written
Many genres, but the most famous is the “philosophical tale”
Jesuit education
Emphasis on logic, rhetoric, and modern analysis
Lived during reign of Louis XIV—marked by censorship, war, increased taxation, famine
Writers and artists idealized rulers of the past and criticized the current monarchy (albeit in a mostly veiled way)

3. Formative Influences Enlightenment philosophy!
: became a member of an intellectual society and later a courtier in Versailles
Introduction to deism
Socialized with many members of the nobility
Began writing satirical pieces
1717: imprisoned in the Bastille
Began writing a dramatic play and a praise of English royalty
Exiled from France
de·ism
ˈdēˌizəm,ˈdāˌizəm/
noun
belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. The term is used chiefly of an intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that accepted the existence of a creator on the basis of reason but rejected belief in a supernatural deity who interacts with humankind.

4. Features of Voltaire’s Work
Deism: God exists but does not intervene in any way; churches are not a source of authority
Heavy supporter of religious tolerance, free speech, and access to fair trials
Satirical works heavily criticized corrupt institutions and leaders
Emphasis on Enlightenment ideas: free will, liberty, hedonism, skepticism, reason/empiricism
Rejected Leibniz’s philosophy of optimism, which sought to justify evil in the world
Voltaire viewed it as absurd and irrelevant in the midst of human suffering

5. Candide (1759) Candide is Voltaire’s most famous work
What is it about?
A young man, Candide, is educated in the philosophy of optimism but quickly becomes disillusioned when he experiences the world.
Heavily critical and satirical
Conclusion: “Let us cultivate our garden,” i.e. we must work to reduce pain, evil, and suffering in our own spheres.
Marked major shift towards humanism and away from metaphysical concerns

6. Candide and Comedy Types of comedy: Candide uses them all!
Comedy of ideas: Characters who represent contrasting ideas argue or come into conflict
Comedy of manners: Utilizes language (wit, puns, etc.) to satirize life of a particular group, usually the upper classes
Farce: Characters are often puppets of an absurd fate; features lots of misunderstandings, coincidences, and mistimings
Low comedy: Focus on the body and its functions: deformed bodies, crass humor, etc.
Candide uses them all!