Voltaire • Real namne: François-Marie

Arouet • Writer, historian and

philosopher • Main work: Candide,

Philosophical Letters, The Century of Louis XIV etc

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it” - Voltaire

The early life of Voltaire • Studied at “Louis-le-grand”, Jesuit Collage, in Paris• Left school at 17 • Wanted to study literature The father wanted

him to study law• Prepended to study law and later he also

pretended to work at a law firm while he wrote

How Voltaire criticized • Early Voltaire was imprisoned in the Bastille

because of a epigram where he criticized the French regime with satire

• Voltaire adopted the pen- name Voltaire in the bastille

• Through his literature he criticized : - The French government - The Monarchy- The Catholic church• This resulted in a numerous imprisonments and

exiles

Inspiration • His critical work

influenced- French revolution - American revolution

• Inspired by Shakespeare• Great Britain’s- Monarchy - Freedom of speech

and religion