Ο Αγαθούλης by Voltaire

Description

Ο Αγαθούλης by Voltaire is a satirical novella written in the 18th century. This work critiques the philosophical doctrine of optimism espoused by Leibniz, particularly the claim that our world is the best possible one. The narrative follows the misadventures of the naively optimistic protagonist, Aγαθούλης (Candide), as he faces a series of increasingly absurd and tragic events, reflecting the harsh realities of life and the folly of blind optimism. At the start of the novella, we are introduced to Aγαθούλης, who grows up in the castle of Baron Thunder-ten-Tronckh in Westphalia, blissfully believing in his tutor Pangloss’s teachings that everything happens for the best. His idyllic life is shattered when he is expelled from the castle after a brief romantic encounter with the baron’s daughter, Cunégonde. Following his expulsion, Aγαθούλης embarks on a journey marked by misfortunes, including encounters with war, poverty, and betrayal, all while grappling with Pangloss’s absurd philosophy. The opening portion sets the stage for Aγαθούλης’s exploration of the world, where his optimistic beliefs are continually challenged by the harsh truths of existence. (This is an automatically generated summary.)