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Ce volume comprend plusieurs dialogues et autres textes courts que
Voltaire ecrivit en 1750 et 1751, lors de ses derniers mois en
France avant son depart pour la cour de l'empereur Frederic et
pendant sa premiere annee a Berlin. Dialogues, reflexions
philosophiques, ecrits historiques, poesies: Voltaire ne cesse de
deployer, dans tous les genres et toutes les formes, le regard
critique aiguise et l'humour mordant qui sont sa marque de
fabrique, et qui ont tant seduit Frederic.
Following the explosive, unauthorised publication of the "Lettres
philosophiques", which revealed a new side of Voltaire to the
world, a new chapter of his life began at Cirey with his lover Mme
Du Chatelet. Nine years were to pass before he could again live
openly in Parisian society. However, this period was among the most
creative of Voltaire's life and the multifarious projects of
1734-1735 show an author attacked and exiled but nevertheless able
to turn his hand to an astounding range of projects. This volume
includes texts as diverse as "Alzire", a tragedy set in
sixteenth-century Peru, contrasting the noblest ideals of
Christianity to both Incan religion and the dangerous fanaticism of
the Conquistadors, the monumental "Traite de metaphysique", and
some of Voltaire's first love poems to the marquise Du Chatelet.
1739-1741 were stressful but highly creative years for Voltaire,
his output ranging from science to polemic, from politics to
poetry. Scientific research remains at the forefront, with Voltaire
championing Newton's theories despite the opposition of the
scientific establishment. Voltaire was in this period anxious to
consolidate his reputation, and his continuing reflections on the
nature of a literary career led to the publication of both his
personalised "Memoire du sieur de Voltaire" and more general
reflections on literary quarrels in "Memoire sur le satire". Public
quarrels had become an integral part of the 'Republic of Letters'
and Voltaire's disillusionment is clear in "Lettres sur les
inconvenients attaches a la litterature". His verse ranges from
crude satire to some of his most touching lyric poetry in the
"Stances a Madame Du Chatelet". Altogether, this collection brings
together the complex and contrasting works of a complex and
flexible writer.
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