Resumo de Zadig - Voltaire

1747- Voltaire is 53 year old and wrote «Zadig or the destiny». But why?
Entertainment? No, Voltaire is decided to criticise the europeen justice and most of all the french one. It's an eastern philosophic story which contain references about Europe at that time. Like Moliere and many others writting stories ou plays is the only way to express themselves and criticise the society, the «justice», the attitude of many people before the king- Louis XV at that time; that way the king could'nt say anything because Voltaire is not directly talking about what he wants to criticise.

THE STORY:
In Babylon, Zadig is a young man full of life, beautiful, pretty and rich. He is in love with Semire and he's going to marrie her. Zadig, optimistic, is persuaded that happiness is possible. Unfortunately, deception behind deception will come.

Orcan, jealous of the love beetwen Zadig and Semire, wish to «kidnap» her. Zadig defends his beloved one and defeats the men sent by Orcan who wanted to kidnap Semire but he's seriously hurt in one of his eye.

During his convalescence, Semire abandons him to marry Orcan. Zadig will take refuge in the arms of Azora, but she'll betray him.

Disappointed, Zadig decides to devote himself to the study of sciences. This new activity will only bring him troubles. His knowledges and relevance of his analysis will take him to jail. Free, he tries to forget what happen devoting to philosophy. He receives in his home important people making Arimaze jealous who will put him in jail.

Declared innocent, Zadig is released. He became the favourite of the king and the queen. Everything seems perfect, but his luck is another. He's nominated Prime Minister of the king Moabdar. But it's his happiness that will be his misfortune. He falls in love with the queen Astarte who is sensitive to his feelings. Zadig is menaced to death and must leave Babylon.

Begins then, a period of wandering in the streets. In the way to Egipt, he rescues a woman injured by an egytian and kills him, he's arrested as a murderer and sold as slave.

Due to his hability, his science and wisdom, Zadig became the friend of his«owner» Setoc. He abolishes a stupid barbarian costum. But the priests will hate him for that and get his condamnation, but Zadig is rescued by the same widow, Almona, he once saved.

Setoc marries Almona and Zadig thinks in returning to Babylon to see Astarte. In the way, he is arrested by Argobad who told him that a rebellion exploded in Babylon and the king Moabdar is dead. Argobad let him go and Zadig meet a fisherman who cursing his destiny decided to commit suicide... Zadig prevent him to do so. Then he met so wome women looking for a plant to improve their ill master Ogul. Zadig discovers that one of the women is the queen Astarte and will exchange the plant for Astarte.

Astarte is really well received in Babylon. Battles will decide you should marry her and become the new king of Babylon. Zadig wins the tournament but one of his rival Itobad gets the armour of Zadig and is crowned in his place.

Desperate, Zadig is wandering near the Euphrates when he meets Jesrad, an old man, they spent some days together when Zadig realises that Jesrad is only the angel Jesrad who will explain him the meaning of life: it's important to have in mind that the evil is essencial to the order of the world and the birth of the good.

Zadig is not completely convinced and the angel goes away.
Back to Babylon, Zadig has to solve series of enigmas which he solves easily. He tells that was him who was wearing the white armour during the tournament and not Itobad. Everything is then solve and rearrange, he can marry Astarte and become the king. Babylon knows then a period of peace and happiness...

This story is easy to read and splendide, it teaches us a lot about love, happiness, civilisation, human comedy, the court, destiny, envy, slavery, fanatism, women, justice, freedom, evil, natural moral, East, religion, wisdom, trance, vanity, trip; making us realize and remember what's really important in life and that even if our life at the moment is not what we dream, it's never too late to live and be happy.
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