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Unlock the more straightforward side of the Essays with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of the
Essays of Michel de Montaigne, a detailed and wide-ranging work of self-examination which documents the author’s thought processes as he searches for truth and wisdom about himself and the human condition as a whole. This landmark work, which brings together reflections on topics including the education of children, the importance of friendship, the evils of colonialism and religion, inaugurated the essay genre and gave it its name. It is the major work of its author, Michel de Montaigne, who was a humanist, a sceptic and a major figure of the Renaissance in France.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017
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Michel de Montaigne
French writer and philosopher
Born in Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne in 1533Died in 1592His work:The Essays (1590-1595)Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) was a French writer, philosopher and politician during the Renaissance. He was involved in the political life of his country, notably as a counsellor of the Court of Aids in Périgueux and above all as mayor of Bordeaux. However, his main aspiration was to read and write, and this led him to embark on the writing of the Essays, a landmark of French literature which brings together his experiences, thoughts and reflections on the world.
Montaigne was a humanist who was primarily searching for wisdom beyond moral, political and religious beliefs.
Essays
A life’s work
Genre: essayReference edition: De Montaigne, M. (1965) Essays. Trans. Frame, D. Stanford: Stanford University Press.First edition: 1580Themes: introspection, the human condition, wisdom, friendship, educationThe Essays, which first appeared in 1580, are Montaigne’s main work: he began writing them in 1570. In them, the philosopher deals with many subjects, including medicine, knowledge and manners, which he combines with reflections on himself and on mankind in general.
The aim of his introspection is to discover the reality of the human condition: in order to grasp what man is, he observes, both in himself and in others, all the elements of life, no matter how lowly, ordinary or trivial.
Summary
Book I
Chapter 1 – By diverse means we arrive at the same end
The behaviours and reactions of men vary. As such, it is difficult to know how to pacify someone we have offended.
Chapter 2 – Of sadness
Sadness is expressed in different ways. As a strong emotion, it overwhelms and crushes the soul.
Chapter 3 – Our feelings reach out beyond us
People should follow the advice of Socrates (Greek philosopher, 470-399 BC) and try to know themselves in the present. Instead, they always project themselves beyond the present out of fear, desire or hope.
Chapter 4 – How the soul discharges its passions on false objects when the true are wanting
People feel the need to express their emotions even when they cannot grasp the cause of this emotion. They will use any pretext and listener to find emotional relief.
Chapter 5 – Whether the governor of a besieged place should go out to parley
A worthy victory can only be won by courage and loyalty. Montaigne wonders whether the leader of a stronghold threatened by attackers should go out to negotiate, as the enemy offers, with the risk that this offer may be a trick to make him leave his post. Montaigne would trust the enemy.
Chapter 6 – Parley time is dangerous
How can one trust the enemy during negotiations? In any case, it is essential to remain loyal in all circumstances and not kill the enemy when they are advancing to sign the peace treaty.
Chapter 7 – That intention is judge of our actions
We must not judge actions, which people are not always in control of because they also depend on outside circumstances, but rather consider the intention.
Chapter 8 – Of idleness
When a person abandons public service in favour of study, they must rely on the discipline of writing; if not, the mind will spread out excessively.
Chapter 9 – Of liars
Liars have good memories because they must remember all their lies so as not to give themselves away. Montaigne has a bad memory. Lying is a perversion of the communication between men.
Chapter 10 – Of prompt or slow speech
Is it better to speak in a premeditated way like preachers, or spontaneously like orators? It can be beneficial to be spontaneous.
Chapter 11 – Of prognostications
It is strange and a pity that men are more attached to predictions than to living in the present.
Chapter 12 – Of constancy
Being constant means tolerating evils that cannot be avoided.
Chapter 13 – Ceremony of interviews between kings
Each country and each town has its own particular ceremonies. Montaigne recommends behaving well towards others by respecting their rules of politeness, as this is a way of making them well disposed towards you. However, excessive civility can lead to tipping over into impoliteness.
Chapter 14 – That the taste of good and evil depends in large part on the opinion we have of them
There is no absolute definition of evil: it varies from person to person, as some see it in poverty and others in suffering. As for happiness, the only people who are happy are those who are convinced that they are happy.
Chapter 15 – One is punished for defending a place obstinately without reason
One must not obstinately defend a stronghold against an excessively large number of enemies. In such a case, the virtue of courage would become a vice.
Chapter 16 – Of the punishment of cowardice
Cowards are already punished by shame. This is why they receive a greater degree of indulgence than those who are malicious.
Chapter 17 – A trait of certain ambassadors
Ambassadors are not content to merely report what they have seen or heard, but always add something in order to increase their own status.
Chapter 18 – Of fear
There are two ways of reacting to fear: being paralysed or behaving senselessly.
