Long Live Our Homer

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Dinesh ^club

On March 30, he (Voltaire,https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/voltaire/ ) departs from his accommodations in Paris, the lavish Hotel de Villete, stopping first at the Academie francaise, where he oversees a special assembly convened in his honor. Ceremoniously ensconced in the president’s chair, a king at court, he hears himself compared to the greatest figures of French literature. Outside, a massive thong of adoring subjects awaits expectantly. The philosopher emerges. The crowd chants his name in unison, accompanying his carriage to the Comedie. And there the final triumph. Entering a theatre, the ‘philosophe’ is met by cries of joy, wild applause, and shouting. Tears flow from the old man’s eyes. He is crowned with a garland of laurels. The curtain opens and the bust, the work of Lemoyne, is exposed on stage -- a trubute to the glory of genius; “Long live our Homer"

At the conclusion of the spectacle, thousands more await the ‘grand homme’ (great man / big man) outside the theater. A genuine social mix with a strong popular character, the crowd, as witnesses will later recall, is moved by “explosions of joy, frenzy, enthusiasm, collective delirium.” Individuals mount the philosopher’s carriage to get a better look at the man, the supplicants strive to touch him. “as he were a saint.” “Long live the defender of Calas!” The coach fades into the night, gilded by the reflections of torchlight, leaving behind a penumbra of immortality. In a stroke worthy of no other, Francois Marie Arouet, Voltaire, has attended his own apotheosis. ~ Page 4 Introduction

2 years ago. Edited 2 years ago.

J.Garcia ^club

Many thanks for this text, Dinesh

2 years ago.

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