The building blocks of the Enlightenment were formed out of a desire for truth, reason, and freedom virtually contingent upon the last. An examination of Voltaires Candide and La Feyettes Princess of Cleves, both well recognized pieces of the period, exemplify two views of freedom, the first based on its use in moderation and the latter making it a relative term. Relative freedom meaning it is correspondent to ones social, economic, and religious place with in society. In Candide, the main characters own freedom and ability to make decisions is rather dangerous too not only himself but to others as well. Freedom to choose to dedicate his life to a relentless pursuit of his dear Cunegonde led to not only her enslavement as well as that of his agent Cacambo, the old woman, and his own. After a lot of fearful calamities linked to one another, Cunegonde and the old woman were both enslaved by a onetime king named Ragotski (372). Voltaire strongly conveys the concept that freedom is extremely desirable as long as it is not carried to illogical extremes. This satire certainly shows a man whom acts purely upon his own idealist views. The quest to be with his love leads to the slaughter of Cunegondes brother, when Candide immediately drew his own sword and thrust it up to the hilt in the Barons belly (342). Though out of self-protection, he goes to great lengths to accomplish his final goal and is completely capable of doing it all because he has complete freedom. At this point one may infer that Voltaire is mocking human kind and our natural tendency to abuse freedom.La Feyettes work shows, through the princess and the consequences of her actions, that freedom is desirable when it works in ones best interest. Outside sources are in control of the Princess of Cleves independence; therefore, making a mockery of what is supposed to be her full independence. Her way of life is according to the virginal, puritan values of her mother. ...
