Both Voltaire and Moliere concentrated on expanding the period of Enlightenment with the exploration of the human soul through growth and change in literature. The philosophers of the Age of Reason (the Enlightenment) believed that each person has a rational will, which makes it possible to make and carry out plans. Animals, they declared, are slaves of their emotions. When an animal is afraid of something, it tries to escape. When an animal is angry, it fights. However, people can figure out the best course of action when they are afraid, angry, or in trouble. In addition, people can make themselves do the right thing, instead of doing only what may seem easier or more appealing. Both Voltaire and Moliere promoted these concepts and employed them directly within their respective works "Cadide" and "Tartuffe". It is the purpose of this paper to examine the primary characters of "Candide" and Orgon separately and together to form a larger concept of who they were and what they represented in their stories. 5-pages, bibliography lists 2 sources.
