¶ … Persian Letters by Montesquieu. Specifically, it will answer the following question. Montesquieu sets up his Persian observers as "innocents abroad" to point out the absurdities of French politics and society. How does Usbek's seraglio serve as a metaphor for and criticism of the French court? Usbek's seraglio or type of "harem" clearly represents the French court, as it is usually in disarray, confusion, and controversy, and is a group of people surrounding a central figure, just as the court is.
The seraglio is an amusing comment on the French court of the time, and reflects the writer's distress at events in the court. He writes, "Appalling disorder and confusion prevail in the seraglio: war reigns among your wives; your eunuchs are divided; nothing is heard bur murmurs, complaints, reproaches; my remonstrances are despised: everything seems to be permitted in this time of license, and I am nothing but a name in the seraglio" (Montesquieu Letter LXIV). The Persians who write the letters have varying degrees of respect or annoyance with the seraglio, and as they spell out their observances of the harem, they also spell out their observances of the French court and its mishandling by courtiers and government officials who are more concerned with their own welfare than the welfare of the people. Just as the seraglio is divided and confused, so is the court, and Montesquieu writes with his tongue firmly in his cheek when he writes of the trials and tribulations of the seraglio.
Like the harem, the French court revolves around a central figure, the King, and the dissonance in the harem parallels the dissidence at court, and the inability for the court to agree on key issues, or even agree what the issues are. Montesquieu writes of the seraglio, "Their morals grow more corrupt every day" (Montesquieu Letter CLI). This statement could apply directly to the French court, as nearly all the statements regarding the seraglio could, and the perceptive reader will understand Montesquieu's reserve and distress about the court and its members as they read the continuing tale of Usbek's seraglio.
References
Montesquieu. "The Persian Letters." College of William and Mary. 2002. 22 March 2004. http://fsweb.wm.edu/plp/
Enlightenment on the French Revolution Revolutionary changes in the leadership of 18th Century France did not occur overnight or with some sudden spark of defiance by citizens. The events and ideals which led to the French Revolution were part of a gradual yet dramatic trend toward individualism, freedom, liberty, self-determination and self-reliance which had been evolving over years in Europe, and which would be called The Enlightenment. This paper examines
They conform to religious convention and display actions that are just that; actions without any sincere faith to support them. For many, there is little distinction between a public display of faith and its sincere manifestation in the heart. It is this dichotomy that Langston learns about on his "conversion" day. He learns that, to satisfy the public, it is required that an insincere of faith should be displayed. As
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