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This powerful work was read by Voltaire to Frederick of Prussia in 1740 to the king's great delight. The play was withdrawn after the fourth representation under pressure of Church authorities who professed to see in it a bloody satire against the Christian religion. Almost three hundred years later critics are still unclear if this play is a rebuke of Islam or of Christianity or perhaps both.
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, was a French writer and philosopher celebrated for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties. His sharp criticism of the Catholic Church and French institutions often led to clashes with authorities, resulting in his imprisonment and exile. Despite this, he continued to publish works that challenged the status quo, cementing his role as a leading figure in the Enlightenment.In his lifetime, Voltaire wrote across genres, producing plays, essays, novels, and historical works that expressed his views on freedom, religion, and government. His time in England deeply influenced his philosophy, introducing him to constitutional monarchy, which contrasted sharply with French absolutism. Through works like Candide, he employed satire to question optimism and criticized political and religious oppression.Voltaire's influence extended beyond his life, shaping modern thought on justice, reason, and individual rights. He lived his final years at his estate in Ferney, which became a hub for intellectuals across Europe. Today, he is remembered as a champion of freedom and reason, whose legacy endures in the realms of literature and philosophy.
