Love and Affection in Voltaire

In considering the writings of Voltaire, there are a number of influences that must be noted. It is especially true in Voltaire’s work—Candide. First, Candide was written as a satire and was attacking the existing class system of France as well as the theocracy that ruled the intellectual advancement of the age. Voltaire is known as a writer of the 'enlightenment', which is best described as one who was not afraid to make …

…used to show the social hypocrisy and lack of compassion for women who have not had control of the circumstances of their lives and are nonetheless judged as 'immoral'. Like Beroul, Voltaire is a hopeless romantic who believes in a just society and the obligations of duty and honor. On occasion, these traits are difficult to decipher because of the use of satire and the difference in social acceptance of conduct between then and now.