Reflection of Absolutism

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Jahnell Kerr History December 10, 2012 Moliere: The Misanthrope “Reflection of Absolutism” French Absolutism was the doctrine that the Monarch of a nation was all powerful. “Since kings received their power from God, their authority was absolute. They were responsible to no one (including parliaments) except God”. (Spielvogel, 454). Whoever made the laws, executed the laws, and judged those who violated the laws. Louis XIV (1643-1715) has been the best example of the practice of absolute monarchy in the seventeenth century. The Misanthrope reflects absolutism under Louis XIV in France. For example, he took control of the government after Mazarin died in 1661. He continued to use majority of Richelieu and Mazarin policies. Louis came up with the idea to undermine the power of the nobility by insisting they attend him constantly at his spectacular court at Versailles. He gave few jobs to people because he was reserving powerful positions for men of ability. They would owe advancement directly to him rather than to their family, name, and title. In this way he secured the loyalty of his Dukes and Barons, keeping them close so as to keep an even closer eye on them. In The Misanthrope, Alceste was cruelly honest and did and say things his way. (Moliere, 2 & 9-10). Louis did things on his own. He had the cooperation of the nobles, which he kept living in Versailles so he could watch them and keep them under control. He made them do him favors for honors, such as dining with him. They cooperated with him because he excluded them from taxation. Louis also subdued their power by giving more power to the Bourgeoisie, such as the Royal Council. Works Cited Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization. 8th edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2012. Moliere, Jean Baptiste. The Misanthrope. Translated by Henri Van Laun. New York: Dover,
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