The idea of ​​a “damsel in distress” saved by her “knight in shining armor” is very familiar to us. Voltaire, philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment (a time when tradition and religion were questioned, turned to science and reason) uses this same concept to satirize love, in his novel Candide. Voltaire satirizes not only love, but also other subjects questioned during the Enlightenment, such as religion and the military. Denouncing corruption, Voltaire satirizes its main objective in Candide, Leibniz's theory of optimism. Leibniz was another Enlightenment philosopher whose beliefs differed from those of Voltaire. An example of this is Leibniz's theory of optimism, which states that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The army, religion and love are all elements used in Candide to satirize this theory of optimism. Candide's journeys begin when he is banished from Westphalia Castle and separated from his beloved Cunégonde. In Westphalia, Candide was sheltered from the outside world and was a disciple of the philosopher Pangloss. When he leaves Westphalia, the naive Candide meets two men in uniform who trick him into joining the army. Candide soon realizes that the army was not what the men had promised. Voltaire satirizes the military by showing that men do not have free will. Candide, believing that it is the right of men and animals to freely use their paws, walks without authorization and is severely punished. Four “heroes” captured him and dragged him to the dungeon. Candide was then asked "what he would like most, to be whipped thirty-six times throughout the regiment, or to receive twelve lead bullets in his brain at once." He said in vain that the human will... middle of paper... Lust) which we all know well as proof that the theory of Optimism is ridiculous. Leibnz's theory of Optimism was ridiculed and satirized throughout Candide's work. experiences love, religion and the army. Through his travels, Candide has become aware of the corruption in the world in which he lives. Candide learned that the military had no free will and brutally murdered people. The Anabaptist James taught Candide, through his actions, that religion does not determine the kind of person you are. Candide also revealed something to us about love. Despite the many challenges he faced and the years spent searching for her, Candide ultimately had no desire to marry Cunégonde. She was no longer physically attractive. All of Candide's experiences made it clear that we probably don't live in the best of all possible worlds. Works Cited Candide by Voltaire