Voltaire Defined Poetry as the Music of the Soul
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Voltaire once said that “poetry is the music of the soul.” In this blog post, we explore what this means and how it can be applied to your own life.
Who was Voltaire?
Voltaire was a French writer, philosopher, and historian who was one of the leading figures of the Enlightenment. He was known for his wit and for his advocacy of civil rights, religious toleration, and free speech. His works include the philosophical novel Candide, the satirical poem “Theophrastus” (1738), and the historical work The Age of Louis XIV (1751).
What did Voltaire believe about poetry?
Voltaire was a French writer, philosopher, and historian. He was a key figure in the Enlightenment and is known for his wit, scathing sarcasm, and defence of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. In his essay “Poetry: The Music of the Soul”, Voltaire discusses what he believes poetry is and its purpose.
That it was the music of the soul
In his essay, “Poetry: Music of the Soul,” Voltaire defined poetry as the music of the soul, and that is how he approached his writing. For him, poetry was a way to express his innermost thoughts and emotions, and to connect with his readers on a deeper level. He believed that poetry should be accessible to everyone, and that it should be enjoyed for its beauty and power.
That it could touch people in a way that nothing else could
Voltaire once stated that, “Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.” He believed that poetry had the ability to touch people in a way that nothing else could. He thought that it could reach into the depths of our hearts and souls and stir up emotions that we didn’t even know we had.
What are some of Voltaire’s famous poems?
Voltaire was a French philosopher and writer who was known for his wit and his advocacy of civil rights. He also wrote a number of poems, some of which are quite famous. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of Voltaire’s most famous poems.
“La Jeune Captive”
“La Jeune Captive” is a French poem written by Voltaire in 1735. The poem tells the story of a young Moorish woman who is taken captive by Spanish soldiers and eventually falls in love with her captor. “La Jeune Captive” is one of Voltaire’s most famous poems and has been translated into many languages.
“Épître à M. de Cideville”
“Épître à M. de Cideville” is a famous poem by Voltaire. It was written in 1733 and published in 1734. The poem is a defence of poetry, and its value to society. Voltaire argues that poetry is the “music of the soul”, and that it has the power to change the world.
“Le Mondain”
“Le Mondain” is a famous poem by Voltaire that was first published in 1736. The title can be translated to mean “The Worldly Man” or “The Man of the World.” The poem is a criticism of the shallowness and vanity of the Burke aristocracy and has remained one of Voltaire’s most popular works.
Why is Voltaire still relevant today?
Voltaire’s writing is timeless because it speaks to the human condition. In his essay, “What is Poetry?,” Voltaire defines poetry as the music of the soul. He wrote that poetry should touch the emotions and not just the intellect. For Voltaire, poetry was a way to access the emotions and connect with people on a deeper level.
His ideas about poetry are still relevant
In “Poetry: The Music of the Soul,” Voltaire defined poetry as “the expression of the imagination, the emotions, and the soul.” He believed that poetry should be accessible to everyone and should not be restricted to a particular class or group of people. Voltaire’s ideas about poetry are still relevant today because he believed that poetry should be expressive and accessible to all.
Voltaire was a French philosopher, historian, and writer of the Age of Enlightenment. He was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church and prophets of social reform. His works included the satirical novella Candide (1759), which regarded Optimism, a philosophical system that maintains that all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. In 1778, Voltaire was exiled to Geneva due to his criticisms of the French government. He died four years later at the age of 83.
Voltaire’s relevance today stems largely from his philosophy of Optimism and his defense of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech. In addition, his novella Candide has become a classic work of literature that is still read and studied by students around the world.
