Candide2
"all is for the best" echoed Pangloss of Voltaire's Candide (Lamm 175 ln 46). Pangloss believed that if something happens, then it is for a reason. He held that the, sometimes, bitter end-effect-was justified by the predestined and inevitable means-cause. Pangloss represented the attitude of eternal optimism, which was prevalent during the Renaissance period. However, the state of affairs of the Renaissance was pessimistic to say the least. Through the misadventures of Candide, we see that Fortune's wheel was pointed toward woe through most of the Renaissance period. Many of Candide's tragedies result from some of the great movements of the Renaissance which turned out to be not completely for the best.The first movement we shall look at is the increase in absolute and sovereign power. During the Middle Ages, the feudal system was becoming less effective. There were many inconsistencies in the feudal system; in fact there was not even a common currency. As a result, there was a rise in sovereign power in order to keep everyone on the same page. Absolute power has its disadvantages (at least for the common man), as Candide got to experience first hand. One of the first strokes of ill fortune that Candide encountered
He was asked whether he thought the Pope was the Anti-Christ or not. The second movement we shall look at is the rise of Capitalism. The last movement of the Renaissance that we shall explore is the rise of Humanism. The last straw occurs when Candide lands on the coast of Surinam. In the eyes of his masters, and even his own mother, he was merely a piece of property. However, he learned that Holland held Capitalism in higher regard than it did Christian charity, and he was not even able to get bread by begging for it. "(Lamm 176 ln 109) He soon learned that their intentions were not indeed for the best, as Pangloss had carefully taught him. By and by, Candide finds himself in Turkey and Fortune's wheel pointing more toward the side of weal. that if he continued to follow this trade they would confine him to the house of correction, where he should be taught to get a living. Though this idea began with the most noble of intentions, it did not come to full fruition, and therefore became ineffective. But, he has seen too much come easily and go quickly to take his present condition for granted, and is content with cultivating his garden.
Common topics in this essay:
Middle Ages,
Anti-Christ Candide,
El Dorado,
Bulgaria Holland,
Candide Lamm,
Candide Fortune's,
Pangloss Thou,
Turkey Fortune's,
Capitalism Capitalism,
Church Popes,
gold gems,
fortune's wheel,
renaissance period,
feudal system,
absolute power,
sovereign power,
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Acceptance Essays
