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Satire has always been apparent throughout literature. An example of satire in literature is Alexander Pope s The Dunciad in which he bitterly attacks poets and other writers who heel abused the English language. Throughout the novel Candide, Voltaire satirizes many things. Because Voltaire satirizes these things it shows the naivet of the main character inthe book. Throughout the novel he satirizes many things which include nobility, the military, and chasity. Throughout Candide those of nobility are portrayed as pompous and oppressive tooters of lesser status.
Voltaire sarcastically refers to My Lord the Baron as one of themes powerful lords in Westphalia, for his castle had a door and windows. The nobility here is still proud and condescending to those they consider lesser, Candide s mother the baron s sister would not marry Candide s father because he lacked one quartering, despite their relatively humble holdings. They seem to be of the opinion that they have some innate superiority over those of lesser rank, something only achievable by having the correct ancestry. This belief in superiority based not upon character, intelligence, or performance is ridiculed throughout the book.
The Baroness is not ridiculed but seemingly praised for weigh[ing] about three hundred and fifty pounds. She and her family viewer not as a mass of fat, as would be the case were she a commoner, but a regal woman of status. Candide is rejected from the Barony when caught kissing Cunegonde behind the screen, as the Baron could not stand for his daughter of seventy-two quartering s to beth a man who could prove only seventy-one generations of nobility. This same ridiculous happening occurs when Candide meets up with Cunegonde s brother the first time since being banished. The brother greets Candide warmly and with tears, but when Candide mentions wedding Cunegonde, he immediately becomes enraged and strikes Candide with his sword.
Voltaire here again shows the ridiculous notion of superioritover other the nobility believes they posses. Despite the fact that Cunegonde has been raped several times and made a servant, she is still deemed far beyond the worth of Candide by the brother. Later in the in the book the same situation arises, this time even more extreme. After Candide has bought freedom for the brother at an outrageous price, his is intent to marry Cunegonde is still met with rage.
It is important when considering the presentation of nobility in Candide it is important to include Candide s journey to Eldorado. Eldorado is a place far more perfect than anywhere else on earth. There were doors made only with silver and rooms paneled only with gold. It is interesting that nobility even exists there.
There are references to no nobles other than the king, who is portrayed as kind, witty, fair, and hospitable. Voltaire s inclusion of a king in this perfect land may be referring to the idea that the presence of nobility is not intrinsically a bathing, but that the existence of a form of nobility with the characteristics of Europeannobles is unacceptable. The Venetian nobleman Pococurante is jaded with the world. His nobility has granted him access to anything and everything he desires, including a magnificently bound Homer and shelves filled with English books and with these things he still has no joy in his life.
His great vice is boredom. He has no need to apply himself, and he considers himself above everything he possesses in addition to those of lesser rank. Thus his extreme arrogance, most likely caused by his noble status and upbringing, has caused his current existence of extreme boredom. Furthermore, in this state, he is accomplishing nothing, most likely because he has nothing for which to strive. It could beta this boredom, is the cause for much of the nobility s negative traits.
Nobles need strive for nothing, as they are provided for by those who live beneath them. This leaves time for idleness which accomplishes nothing and leaves the noble little room to develop attributes such as wisdom s and tolerance.
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Research essay sample on Satirizes Many Things Voltaire Satirizes Candide
