Europe witnessed a flowering period in the 18th century that historians call the Age of Enlightenment. A period filled with experimentation as well as intellectual curiosity, people relied on the power of human reason in order to understand society and nature. One specific manifestation of the Enlightenment was a steadfast faith in the stable progression of civilization via scientific development. Because of this religious judgment went to the wayside. Instead, people wanted improvement through freedom, equality, and tolerance. French writers/thinkers expressed these sentiments and notions through their work. These philosophers devoted their passion to useful thought and not speculation. Towards the latter half of the 18th century (1782), such thinking took the form of a highly scandalous story, Dangerous Liaisons.
Written by Pierre Ambroise Choderlos de Laclos, a member of minor nobility and a French intelligence officer within the army, Dangerous Liaisons describes French nobility and the search for sex and love during the eighteenth century. Laclos wrote the novel as a shock piece. Because of this, the acts of sexual betrayal, deceit, desire, and intrigue allowed the reader to witness sexual manipulation that highlights an important aspect of the Enlightenment, which was to pursue useful thought over speculation.
The book was turned into a
The Enlightenment sought to end judgments and promote equality. Society always saw sexuality and expression of sexuality as a masculine activity. Men engaged in sex, developed sexual prowess, and gained the attention of numerous women. However, in the book/film, it is flipped around. Women like Cecile are instructed to experience sex, and develop a sexual prowess through sexually engaging men. This then becomes the reason why society at the time, viewed the book as such a scandalous piece of literature and became a success as a film. It was through the sexual manipulation and corruption of Cecile by Valmont that readers saw how far sex can go.
Although Valmont is the one to force himself on Cecile de Volanges, Cecile eventually begins taking 'lessons' from him, accepting her sexual freedom and the direct manipulation by Valmont and his accomplice, Isabelle de Merteuil. Merteuil provides an interesting evolution of female sexuality. She is the one that generates the circumstances that not only land Cecile in trouble, but also Valmont, who loses a…
This oil painting is 8 feet tall by 10 feet wide (Fiero 51). Each of these artists glorified in enormous paintings a hero, theatrically presented, that the common man might identify with. The "Corsican Upstart" that was Napoleon, is shown in propagandistic, larger-than-life style by Gros and David, who first met in 1796 in Italy. These two painters influenced each other and became huge successes through their depictions of the
18th Century What makes the 18th century such a vast plethora of diverse opinions, creations and philosophies is the fact that the world was changing in a variety of ways. The Industrial Revolution and rationalism were having profound effects upon previously held religious and esthetic ideals. While some passionately pursued new directions of thought, science and art, others held desperately to old philosophies. Furthermore the different countries of the globe
French Revolution Enlightenment The enlightenment was one of the most interesting times in history. In this period there was a considerable amount of philosophical inquiry being devoted to challenging traditional worldviews. Intellectuals began to investigate different forms of state power and questioning what rights people should be given simply because they were human. These were referred to as natural rights and John Locke's version includes the naturally acquired right for everyone to
Relationship of "The Old English Baron" and "Vathek" to 18th Century English Gothic Fiction The rise of Gothic fiction in English literature coincided with the advent of the Romantic Era at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century. Gothic masterpieces such as Shelley's Frankenstein, Lewis's The Monk, and Stoker's Dracula would capture the imagination by fueling it with the flames of horror, suspense, other-worldliness and mystery.
William Hogarth 18th century Britain was a society that was undergoing a great deal of political, economic, and social change. The British Parliament was developing the modern form of parliamentary democracy, complete with elections, a Prime Minister, and power residing with the people's representatives. And while the previous centuries had been plagued with religious and political strife, the 18th century would be based upon economics and commercialism. Britain underwent a dramatic
The increase in the productivity of the Atlantic market created a demand for tools that for use in production. The European farmers were obtaining the tools cheaply from these Afro-Asian areas . Through the exchanges, it is true that the interactions were an avenue for the creation of an increase in trade opportunities in the Atlantic world. Labor implications to the conflict Sourcing for labor for the sugar industries was initially from
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now