Religion in Candide

Religion in Candide
Francois Marie Arouet, later known as Voltaire, was born on November 21, 1964. Throughout his life he wrote and published 50 to 60 tragedies and comedies, including one of his most famous, Candide. Voltaire is known as one of the greatest satirist ever. Satire in the Merriam Webster Dictionary is defined as, “biting wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose vice or folly” (pg. 464). Candide is filled with satire against optimism. Although, this is a target among many others. He also satirizes religion, politics, and war. His religious satire is present throughout the entire work. I will present several examples of this mockery along with the underlying reasons for Voltaire’s sarcasm.
Religious leaders involved in sexual activity is a large part of Candide. One of the most obvious examples was when Pangloss apparently contracted a sexually transmitted disease from Paquette. She had traced the disease back to a Franciscan or a Jesuit. These me...