Satirc Works: Voltaire, Moliere
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The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines satire as: “literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn.” Besides this definition satire can also be seen as the particular literary way of making possible the improvement of humanity and its institutions. In all three works that weve discussed so far: Molieres “Tartuffe,” Voltaires “Candide,” and Swifts “A Modest Proposal” the authors indirectly criticize and ridicule human behavior and characteristics but with the mutual goal for improving these faults rather than just demolishing them.
In Molieres “Tartuffe,” although many things and behaviors are satirized, the play focuses mainly on the issue of religious hypocrisy. Whereas Tartuffe is the obvious hypocrite and antagonist who represents those members of society who preach religious piety but do not themselves live by the morals they try to force upon others, Orgon is the complex character through whom this religious hypocrisy is channeled. In the beginning of the play it is hinted that Orgon is perceived as an honorable and respected man by his family and friends, but then through out the play the question raises why he has become such an absurd and unusual person. It seems that Orgon is the type of character who can no longer participate successfully in society and who then retires from society and attacks it. This can also be seen in his mother, Madame Pernelle. Orgon, having reached late middle age, needs to attach himself to a religious person, who believes will ensure his way in heaven. Having once adopted a life of piety, Orgon tries to become an exemplary of the pious person and goes to high extremes both in his words and deeds, especially by offering Tartuffe his daughter, expelling his son out of the house, and granting Tartuffe all his wealth. But once Tartuffe is unmasked and his hypocrisy discovered, Orgon reverses himself and determines to hate and persecute all pious men. Orgon in the play seems to represent mans extravagant and uncontrollable nature, which never takes the right and rational direction, but instead, constantly shifts between absurd extremes.
In “Candide,” Voltaires satiric theme is broad and varied. Although the most interesting satire is the one on religion, especially the utopia in which Candide starts off the story in, the first in importance is philosophical optimism, specifically Panglosss philosophy which in the novel this philosophical optimism seems to represent mankinds overall and overused optimism as means to copping with tragedy or loss. Panglosss philosophy is both the most important point for debate among the novels characters and one of the main targets of Voltaires satire. Pangloss is inevitably humorous “Pangloss gave instruction in metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology” his character is very predictable and superficial, his so called doctrine on optimism which is voiced out repeatedly that even great evil leads to good is opposed gross absurdity with absurdity. “It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end” This is the philosophy that pulls the naпve character of Candide through fatigue, earthquake, a war and a couple of brushes with death. For Voltaires purpose to satirize optimism especially Panglosss and Candides stubborn belief that human beings live in “best of all possible worlds” which constantly appear in the story,