Religion In Candide By Voltaire Essays Example

Religion is one of the major themes portrayed in candied. Voltaire’s mockery is mainly focused on religion. Voltaire criticizes religion throughout the entire book. He brings out religion as morally bankrupt and corrupt. The religious figures in Candide include the Jesuit baron, the inquisitor and the protestant minister. Voltaire despises the corruption found in the clergy of the Catholic Church. An elderly woman helps Candide to re unite with his love, Cunegonde, after a long time. While on a ship, the three share stories of the experiences and troubles that they had gone through. Initially the old woman says “I am the daughter of a pope Urban X and the princess of Palestrina” (42). She goes ahead to discuss the elegant palace that she grew up in and the goodies that she enjoyed and how she was promised to be married to a prince of Massa-Carrara. This story is given to show the corruption and indecency of the catholic clergy. The pope, a person who is supposed to follow the example of Christ and be celibate, is instead having a daughter who wore very worthy dresses and a wife who was a princess and had a palace that was so elegant that all the castles of the German barons could not serve as its stable. This shows corruption in the clergy.
The optimistic nature of candied is put to test as he is involved in various events to check if he can lose his naivety. First he is involved in pre-marital relation with Cunegonde who is his love. This is against the religious doctrines of the catholic church. Baron, Cunegonde’c brother who is a Jesuit priest is the first religious figure in the story. He hits Candide with a sword on the face. He does this because candide is from a different social class which does not rhyme with the reverence character that Baron should have as a priest. This is potrays a negative picture of the religious leader who is not supposed to be biased.
Voltaire also shows the uncaring nature of the Abbe. This is seen when the abbot arders that two suspected foreigners be arrested and carried to prison. This shows that the abbot is more interested in personal profits rather than good moral principles when he tricks Candide and Martin into bribing him. A fawning abbot attaches himself to Candide and Martin rather than paying attention tohis religious roles. He, just like anybody else puts his value on riches. This is seen when Voltaire says “Among those who did him the honours of the town was a little Abbe of Perigold, one of those busybodies who were ever alert, officious, forward, fawning, and complaisant; who watch for strangers passage through the capital, tell them the scandalous history of the town and offer them pleasure at all prices.”
Voltaire shows the hypocrisy among various religious figures the leaders act contrary to what is expected of them. Cunegonde finds out that her gun and diamonds are not there. The old woman is certain she knows the culprit but does not say. Franciscan takes a vow to give up what he own and live a low class life. He does the complete opposite. Voltaire writes about the act of faith, auto-da-fe, the public persecution of those whose believe contrary to Christians. Persecution alone is against Christian morals yet it seems like the inquiry is looking for people to persecute.