The Enlightenment Era was also formally known as the Age of Enlightenment or even the Age of Reason. The Enlightenment Era was a time of cultural movement during the 1700’s in Europe. Many intellectuals during this time sought to reform society at the time and increase mankind’s knowledge of the world; many also believed that reason was the key factor in seeking any form of mobilization or change in society. But many writers and artists found reason to criticize the Restoration society during their time, mainly due to the obvious corruption in the social elite, including influence and family connections within the citizens at the top of the social ladder. Moliere was not the only artist and writer of his time that decided to exploit the corruption within his community-John Locke was an English philosopher, often referred to as “the Father of Liberalism.” Locke is known for his work as a writer, often rule against the monarchy and its sick way of poisoning society with its selfishness and greed. Society at the time was led by the elite, most of whom lived very prosperous lives, owning vast amounts of land, and forcing taxes upon those at the bottom of the social ladder, i.e. to peasants and farmers. Writers like Locke tended to expose this form of corruption through different forms of art; especially through writing- Locke was a firm believer in the sense of that, when pertaining to government’s role and duty to the people, that the interest of the people always came first. Thus, the monarchy was dubbed to rid themselves of the greed and personal satisfactions they so sought, and instead were to work for “the good of the people.”
Alexander Prescott, Christine Ching, Eryn Bollin, Erica Trinh, & Kellyna Fox (Period 6!)
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