Fanaticism, or Mohammed the prophet

Voltaire

Newcomb Livraria Press

About this eBook

A new translation directly from the original French manuscript of Voltaire's 1741 "Fanaticism, or Mohammed the prophet". This edition also contains supplemental material on Voltaire including an afterword by the translator, a timeline of Voltaire's life and works, summaries of each of the works in his corpus, and a glossary of Philosophic Terminology used by Voltaire. This tragedy was a favorite of Nietzsche who wrote in Human, All Too Human: "One only has to read Voltaire's Mahomet [Fanaticism] from time to time to see clearly in one's mind what has been lost once and for all to European culture through that breaking off of tradition. Voltaire was the last of the great dramatists who tamed his many-faceted soul, which was also able to withstand the greatest tragic storms, by means of Greek measures".

About the author

Voltaire (1694-1778), born François-Marie Arouet, was a towering figure in the European Enlightenment, renowned for his wit, satirical genius, and fierce advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Voltaire was educated by the Jesuits at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, where he demonstrated an early talent in literature and theater. Despite a brief stint studying law, he devoted himself to writing, rapidly gaining fame for his sharp wit and eloquence. Voltaire's literary career was marked by numerous conflicts with French authorities, leading to periods of imprisonment and exile. His most famous stay at the Bastille prison was due to his satirical verse, which mocked the French Regent. This propensity for critique often saw him in conflict with the establishment, but it also earned him a reputation as a champion of the oppressed and a critic of religious and political dogma, including the Atheistic dogmatism of the French Revolution.