Tuesday, April 15, 2014


What is Voltaire suggesting about the exaltation of romantic love? 

Candide’s love for Cunégonde is the driving force of his journey in the novel. The irrational lengths to which Candide goes to pursue his love, including abandoning the paradise of El Dorado, committing multiple murders, and barely avoiding capture and execution, are mocked by the reality that once Candide can marry Cunégonde, he’s no longer attracted to her. He suggest that romantic love is only lust. Candide was after Cunégonde because of her beauty. Once, she became ugly and Candide was no longer attracted to her, feelings went away, making romantic love only desire. No real romantic love seems to exist in Candide

2 comments:

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  2. I agree with your response. I believe that the mixture between love and lust are often mistaken. If one is moved by the appearance of one and not by what is on the inside it is lust. One may ask, "why did Candide not over look Counegones' unattractive appearance? For love is not what is on the outside, but what is on the inside.

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