(citations: http://www.history.com/topics/enlightenment http://www.biography.com/people/voltaire-9520178.)
2. Voltaire uses satire in order to attempt to bring about change by mocking the thinking of many Enlightenment philosophers of his time. Voltaire also utilizes other literary devices such as irony and sarcasm to make his satire more effective. One example of Voltaire’s use of satire is evidently clear in the way he talks about the belief of Candide and Pangloss as their world being “the best of all possible worlds”. Voltaire depicts both Candide and Pangloss suffering immense and repeated tragedies yet still believing that their world is “the best of all possible worlds”. Another clear example of satirical irony comes in Candide’s encounter with Eldorado. Candide and his “valet” Cacambo come accross Eldorado which is a seemingly perfect world that is…show more content…
In the beginning of the novel Candide is described as extremely optimistic person who always sees the best in everything. Not only is Candide very optimistic, but he does not really understand how the world works. He seems to be simple minded and immature toward any and all of the harsh realities of the real world. His philosophy towards life is that he is living in “the best of all possible worlds”. Candide gets this philosophy from his teacher Pangloss, who is also an extreme optimist. Both Pangloss and Candide are faced with horrible suffering and misfortune, almost in spite of their optimistic outlook on
Essay on the Transformation of Beowulf
The Transformation of Beowulf
In the length of the poem, Beowulf goes from abandoned child to gallant warrior to King. This transformation, expressed in the tone and content of the poem, shows the importance of the relationship between lord and thane and expresses the ultimate value of that connection. From the difference in battle scenes to Beowulf’s speeches, it is clear that he has gone from a somewhat self-loving hero to a selfless king. Within this change he also goes from serving a lord to becoming a lord, and in that way the poem shows us the importance of both sides of the relationship.
Initially it is said that Beowulf goes to flight Grendel because, “he could not brook or abide the fact / that anyone else alive under heaven / might enjoy greater regard than he did” (43). In the end he fights the dragon more for the good of his people than for his own pride; he dies relieved because “[he] has been allowed to leave [his] people / so well endowed” (2796).
The battle scenes themselves are also an indicat…