Candide
Historical Context
Themes
Characters
Candide
A good natured fellow who is in love with Cunégonde. His love for Cunégonde gets him banned from The Baron of Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle, for stealing a mere kiss from his beloved crush. He seems to have a "black cloud" covering him wherever he goes. This is shown when he starts murdering his beloved's capturers, in order to save her. His choices are easily influenced and they lead him down a path of destruction and dispair wherever he goes.
Cunégonde
The young beautiful daughter of the baron. She is raped and tortured by the Bulgars, while witnessing her families execution. She is traded may times as a slave. She is given an old slave woman, whom finally reunites her with Candide. While on there journey to South America and out of money she becomes engaged to the governor of Buenos Aries. It seems that no matter how hard they try, she and Candide can't seem to get together.
Pangloss
An optomistic philosopher in the Thunder-Ten-Tronckh's castle. He is Candide and Cunegondes professor. After the castle tragedy, Candide meets up with him begging on the street. He is weak and sick from sypilis. He is taken in by the Anabaptist. In return for medical treatment the Anabaptist makes him his bookkeeper. Pangloss is finally hung for his beliefs.
The old woman
She was born the daughter of Pope Urban the Tenth. She was the Princess of Palestrina until here ship was taken over by pirates. The old woman's life parallels that of Cunégonde in the way that they were both born into a life of priviledge and evently end up as slaves. Both being tortured and raped many times over and left for dead. These two women form a common bond, and the old woman finally reunites Candide and Cunégonde. She remains a servant until she is befriended by Candide and Cunégonde.
Paquette
She is the maidservant to the Baroness. She "caused these torments of hell" from which Pangloss is suffering (383).
Cacambo
He was brought from Cadiz to be Candide's valet. He is honest and speakes many different languages. He even saves Candide from Biglugs, and becomes a valued friend and confidant.
Don Fernando d'Ibaraa y Figueora y Mascarenes y Lampourdos y Souza
The arrogant governor of Buenos Aries. He finds Cunegonde attractive. Despite Cunegonde and Candide being engaged the governor takes her in as his mistress and plans to marry her.
Martin
A scholar whom Candide meets while traveling. He is very intelligent, but has a pessimistic view of the world.
Critical Perspectives
Resources
- Candide — The full text
- SparkNotes
- Resources for study of Voltaire's Candide
- Wikipedia entry