Essay on Use of Satire to Attack Optimism in Voltaires...

Use of Satire to Attack Optimism in Voltaires Candide In its time, satire was a powerful tool for political assault on Europes corrupt and deteriorating society. Voltaires Candide uses satire to vibrantly and sarcastically portray optimism, a philosophical view from the Enlightenment used to bury the horrors of 18th century life: superstition, sexually transmitted diseases, aristocracy, the church, tyrannical rulers, civil and religious wars, and the cruel punishment of the innocent. Through the steady adversity faced by Candide, Voltaire brings up important questions about how the nature of optimism appears to commoners. Panglosss philosophy of the best of all possible worlds - an example of the misleading†¦show more content†¦Mentioned above, Candide fervently attacks the idea that optimism, which says that rational thought can restrain the evils committed by humans. It can be concluded that Voltaire attacks optimism because he did not believe that the sole power of thought and reason could overcome modern social institutions with. For example, Voltaire has Pangloss (a characterization of the typical optimist) prove admirably that there is no effect without a cause, and that, in this best of all possible worlds, the Barons castle was the most magnificent of castles, and his lady the best of all possible Baronesses (1). This reasoning, along with the infamous nose has been formed to bear spectacle (2) conclusion are irrelevant trains of thought. These misconstrued ideas that everything was made to work perfectly together is not a cohesive explanation outside of Panglosss mind. Voltaire proves, in paragraphs following the description of the magnificent castle, that in reality things do not go as planned. The Utopian castle remarks are contradicted when Candides simple and easy life is complicated by his ousting from the most magnificent of castles. The great Baron banished his daughters love because he was not of as noble heritage as she. This event does not coincide with the ideas that everything fit s together works well together. ToShow MoreRelatedSatire in Candide by Voltaire Essay example1474 Words   |  6 PagesSatire in Candide by Voltaire Voltaire who was a French writer, philosopher and one of the leaders of the Enlightenment is known as one of the greatest satirist ever. Voltaire wrote about important genres: tragedy, history, philosophy and fiction just as his English contemporary Samuel Johnson. American heritage dictionary defines satire as, An artistic work in which human vice or folly is attacked through irony, derision, or wit. Irony or caustic wit used to expose or attack human follyRead MoreCandide by Voltaire Essay1734 Words   |  7 PagesCandide Voltaire’s most classic work, Candide, is a satiric assault on most everything that was prevalent in society during the author’s lifetime. 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