Voltaire and the Beginning of the Enlightment Essay -- Enlightenment of

Francis Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1694 in Paris, France. As a child, Arouet grew up in an atmosphere that rigorously obeyed the rules of the church. During this time, faith in the church was an obligation for e trulyone in society and the license of the church was never questioned, for this would definitely mean instant death. Meanwhile, Arouet enrolled at the Jesuitical College of Louis-Le-Grande where he excelled in academics especially his skills in writing. After his schooling, Arouet became noticed by much of the aristocracy for his writing and eventually was imprisoned for supposedly composition two offensive works, the Puerto Regnanto and Jaivu.1 While serving his confinement, he untrue the name de Voltaire. After choosing the new name, Voltaire said, I was very unlucky below my first name. I want to see if this one will pursue any better.2 Upon his release from the Bastille, Voltaire was exiled to England, a soil he grew very fond of. At this time, freedom o f speech was continuously exemplified throughout the country of England Voltaire found this toleration very advantageous to the beginnings of his opinion. While in England, Voltaire unflinching to redirect his purpose of writing he now decided to take the field for the right of charitable liberty. From the time Voltaire moved to England through the remainder of his life, he marked the beginning of a new period, the Englightment, a time where he would continuously mock the idea of religion and reinforce the idea of hu military man liberty and opinion fearlessly through his many plays, literature, and sees. Furthermore, Voltaire remained in England for triple years while publishing an English version of the La Henriade, an essay concerning the defense of religious toleration.3 Aft... ...zes Voltaire the best when he comments, Probably no man ever lived who assailed the Church and the State with the same wit and keenness that forever and a day at Voltaires command and yet in spi te of this he managed to live comfortably, accumulate rich and die in peace.13 Notes 1. Francis Marie Arouet de Voltaire. http//www.ericjonas.com/ /features/ glace/Voltaire/default.asp (20 Feb. 2000). 2. Darrow, Charles. Voltaire. http//www.aracnet.com/atheism/hist/ darrow5.htm (20 Feb. 2000). 3. Francis Marie Arouet de Voltaire, 1. 4. Darrow, 6. 5. Darrow, 9. 6. Darrow, 9. 7. Darrow, 13. 8. Darrow, 17. 9. Darrow, 11. 10. Wendy McElroy, Voltaire vs. Intolerance, Free Inquiry, Winter 1999, 61. 11. Darrow, 15. 12. Darrow, 16. 13. Darrow, 4.