Historical+Voltaire

Maddy Bynes Historical: Voltaire not only influenced people through his own writing, but was influenced by other influential writers. In an article from ABC-CLIO Voltaire’s influential writing is shown by, “Voltaire returned to France from exile in 1728. He wrote plays over the next several years; some, like Brutus, were undoubtedly influenced by William Shakespeare” (Individuals: Voltaire). These historic plays by Voltaire and Shakespeare are still being read and preformed today. Voltaire was “exiled” as well. This happened because he spoke out against the government of the time. This shows the government of the time. Freedom of speech was extremely limited. If someone spoke out against the King that person could go anywhere from prison to execution depending on the severity of the “crime." Because of Voltaire’s life experiences he was able to write suck influential plays such as Brutus. He also clearly read William Shakespeare, an influential person in England - the place he went when we was exiled. Both men influenced modern thinking through the enlightenment.

Voltaire helped mold the modern thought of existentialism through his writings. He demonstrated he believes in the individual through A Treatise on Toleration by saying, “ Religion was instituted to make us happy in this life and in the other. What must we do to be happy in the life to come? Be just” (Voltaire). The philosophy of existentialism is existence before essence. This quote shows a perfect pretrial of Voltaire’s thought of existentialism because he says “to make us happy." By emphasising the word “us” Voltaire is promoting the individual, not society as a whole. He says that to Religion is only there to benefit “us”. This impacted not only religion but the enlightenment as a whole. Not only does he say religion is only to benefit “us” but he also demonstrates the thoughts of existentialism in the next sentence when he states, “to be happy in the life to come? Be just.” Voltaire shows a more modern approach in thoughts through this. Instead of persecuting people of other religion's, ideals, or beliefs, just be. What was then revolutionary thought now impacts the world as freedom.

Works Cited: "Voltaire." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.

"Voltaire: A Treatise on Toleration (1763)." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 14 Oct. 2011.