Enlightenment Synthesis Question - Asher, Period 3, Team 6

The Enlightenment marked a time of thought and enhanced self-worth for humanity. No longer a society in which the upper class benefited unnoticed while others suffered, the era brought forth progressive thinkers who criticized the shallow values previously flaunted in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. Enlightenment thinker John Locke could be said to be an embodiment of Enlightenment ideals. The English scholar detested a society in which the common man had no voice. He famously spoke in favor of “Life, Liberty, and Property,” and had very liberal views on how society should be shaped. Locke spoke for equalities taken for granted today, including religious tolerance, in a series of “Letters Concerning Toleration”. Locke advocated a sort of “social contract”, in which humans were rewarded for hard work and resolved problems in a civil manner. He also spoke in favor of separation of powers and other governmental programs that limit corruption. Locke mainly criticized social norms by suggesting and promoting alternatives.

Others, however, were more forward with their critiques. Voltaire, who was largely inspired by Locke’s work, openly criticized the church, the bourgeoisie, and aristocracy. He did so largely through satirical writing, but also wrote in straightforward prose to denounce religious intolerance and upper class abuse of power. His ironic yet straightforward tone are very indicative of his strong message, a message that influenced the changing Enlightenment period. Montesquieu was also influenced by Locke, and spread much of his philosophy on forms of government and how they change with the size of the land being governed. He mainly criticized through suggesting alternatives and analyzing the philosophy of Locke and others.

Finally, many playwrights of the Enlightenment period took advantage of their art and used it as an effective criticism of the upper class and their frivolous undertakings. This drama, called a comedy of errors, reveals the absurdity of the bourgeoisie through humor and over-the-top drama. William Wycherley does this in The Country Wife, poking fun at upper class values much like Moliere does in his plays. For playwrights and artists, humor was often the most effective tool to express distaste with the sensibilities of the time they were living in.