How Montaigne's Essays Shaped Modern Thought and Literature
Who is the father of modern essay?
Introduction
Have you ever wondered who invented the essay as a literary genre? Or how did people express their thoughts and opinions in writing before the essay was popularized? In this article, we will explore the origins and development of the essay, and introduce you to the man who is widely regarded as the father of modern essay: Michel de Montaigne.
who is the father of modern essay
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What is an essay?
An essay is a short piece of writing that presents the author's point of view on a specific topic or issue. The word "essay" comes from the French verb "essayer", which means "to try" or "to attempt". Essays are usually written in a formal or informal style, depending on the purpose and audience. Essays can be classified into different types, such as narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, argumentative, analytical, critical, reflective, etc.
Why is Michel de Montaigne considered the father of modern essay?
Michel de Montaigne was a French philosopher and writer who lived in the 16th century. He is credited with inventing the essay as a literary form, and giving it its name. He wrote a series of essays called Essais (which means "attempts" or "trials" in French), in which he explored various topics ranging from religion, politics, morality, education, friendship, death, love, human nature, and more. He used his own experience, knowledge, and judgment as the basis of his writing, and expressed his personal opinions freely and candidly. He also introduced a new style of writing that combined anecdotes, quotations, reflections, and digressions. His essays influenced many writers and thinkers in Western literature and philosophy.
Montaigne's life and works
His early life and education
Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was born on February 28, 1533 at the Château de Montaigne in Guyenne (now part of France). He belonged to a wealthy and noble family that traced its ancestry back to Charlemagne. His father was Pierre Eyquem de Montaigne, a soldier and mayor of Bordeaux; his mother was Antoinette de Louppes de Villeneuve, a descendant of Spanish Jews who had converted to Catholicism. Montaigne had five brothers and two sisters.
Montaigne received an unusual education for his time. His father hired a German tutor who spoke only Latin to teach him from an early age. Montaigne learned Latin as his first language, and did not speak French until he was six years old. He also learned Greek, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew, and some German. He read classical authors such as Cicero, Plutarch, Seneca, Horace, Virgil, Ovid, etc., as well as contemporary humanists such as Erasmus and Rabelais. He attended the College of Guienne in Bordeaux for seven years (1540-1547), where he studied rhetoric, logic, mathematics, music, astronomy, etc. He later studied law at the University of Toulouse (1548-1554), where he became acquainted with Étienne de La Boétie (1530-1563), a poet and political philosopher who became his best friend.
His political career and travels
After finishing his studies, Montaigne followed his father's footsteps and entered public service. He became a counselor at the Parlement of Bordeaux (a court of justice) in 1557, and held this position for 13 years. He also served as a mediator in several religious conflicts between Catholics and Protestants during the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598). He was known for his moderation and tolerance, and tried to promote peace and dialogue among the warring factions.
In 1565, Montaigne married Françoise de La Chassaigne, the daughter of a wealthy lawyer. They had six daughters, but only one survived to adulthood. Montaigne was not very fond of marriage, and confessed that he married out of duty and convenience rather than love. He also had several affairs with other women, which he did not hide from his wife.
In 1568, Montaigne's father died, and he inherited the Château de Montaigne and its lands. He also became the lord of Montaigne, and took charge of the family estate. He continued to serve as a counselor at the Parlement of Bordeaux until 1570, when he resigned to devote more time to his private affairs.
In 1571, Montaigne embarked on a long journey across Europe, which lasted until 1572. He visited Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and the Papal States. He met many famous people, such as Pope Gregory XIII, King Henry III of France, Duke Cosimo I de' Medici of Tuscany, etc. He also visited many places of cultural and historical interest, such as Rome, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Genoa, etc. He kept a journal of his travels, which he later published as the Travel Journal (Journal de Voyage).
His retirement and writing of Essais
After returning from his travels, Montaigne decided to retire from public life and dedicate himself to writing. He moved to a tower in his château, where he built a library containing over a thousand books. He also inscribed various quotations from his favorite authors on the walls and ceiling of his study. He called this place his "citadel" or his "arrière-boutique" (back-shop).
Montaigne began to write his essays in 1572. He wrote them in French rather than Latin, which was the common language of scholarship at that time. He chose to write about himself and his thoughts on various subjects that interested him. He did not follow any fixed plan or order, but wrote as he pleased. He revised and added to his essays throughout his life, producing three editions: the first in 1580 (containing 107 essays), the second in 1588 (containing 128 essays), and the third in 1595 (containing 107 essays). The third edition was published posthumously by his adopted daughter Marie de Gournay (1565-1645), who also edited and annotated his works.
Montaigne's style and influence
His use of anecdotes and personal reflections
One of the distinctive features of Montaigne's essays is his use of anecdotes and personal reflections. He often drew examples from his own experience, observation, memory, or imagination to illustrate his points. He also quoted extensively from various sources, such as classical authors, historians, poets, philosophers, etc., sometimes without citing them or giving them proper credit. He mixed high and low culture, serious and humorous topics, formal and informal language. He did not pretend to be an authority or a teacher, but rather a friend or a companion who shared his thoughts with the reader.
Montaigne's essays are also characterized by their conversational tone and style. He addressed the reader directly, using personal pronouns such as "I", "you", "we", etc. He asked rhetorical questions, made jokes, used irony and sarcasm, expressed doubts and uncertainties, admitted errors and contradictions. He did not aim to persuade or convince the reader of anything, but rather to stimulate their curiosity and critical thinking. He invited the reader to join him in his quest for truth and wisdom.
His skepticism and open-mindedness
Another distinctive feature of Montaigne's essays is his skepticism and open-mindedness. He was influenced by the ancient Greek school of Pyrrhonism (or Skepticism), which taught that nothing can be known for certain, and that one should suspend judgment on all matters. Montaigne adopted this attitude in his essays, questioning everything that he encountered: religion, morality, politics, science, art, etc. He did not accept any dogma or doctrine uncritically; he examined them from different perspectives and found flaws and inconsistencies in them.
His impact on Western literature and philosophy
Montaigne's essays had a profound impact on Western literature and philosophy. He inspired many writers and thinkers who came after him, such as Francis Bacon, William Shakespeare, René Descartes, Blaise Pascal, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Friedrich Nietzsche, Albert Camus, and many others. His essays influenced various genres, such as the novel, the autobiography, the memoir, the travelogue, the aphorism, etc. He also contributed to the development of various fields of inquiry, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, education, ethics, politics, etc.
Montaigne's essays are considered as one of the founding texts of modernity. They represent a break from the medieval worldview that was dominated by faith and authority. They express a new spirit of curiosity and inquiry that challenges established opinions and dogmas. They celebrate human diversity and individuality. They advocate tolerance and moderation in a time of violence and fanaticism. They exemplify a humanistic and secular outlook that values reason and experience over revelation and tradition.
Conclusion
Summary of main points
In this article, we have explored the origins and development of the essay as a literary genre. We have introduced Michel de Montaigne as the father of modern essay. We have discussed his life and works, his style and influence. We have seen how he invented a new form of writing that combined personal reflection and intellectual exploration. We have also seen how he expressed a skeptical and open-minded attitude that marked the emergence of modern thought.
Relevance of Montaigne's essays today
Montaigne's essays are still relevant today for several reasons. First, they offer a rich source of insight and wisdom on various topics that concern human life and society. Second, they provide a model of critical thinking and free judgment that can help us navigate through the complexity and uncertainty of our world. Third, they inspire us to cultivate our own voice and perspective, and to share them with others in a respectful and engaging way.
Montaigne's essays are not only a historical monument or a literary masterpiece; they are also a living conversation that invites us to join him in his quest for truth and wisdom. As he wrote in his famous motto: "Que sais-je?" ("What do I know?"). This question is not a sign of despair or indifference; it is a sign of curiosity and humility. It is an invitation to learn more, to question more, to doubt more. It is an invitation to be more human.
# FAQs
Q: Who is the father of modern essay? A: Michel de Montaigne is widely regarded as the father of modern essay. Q: What is an essay? A: An essay is a short piece of writing that presents the author's point of view on a specific topic or issue. Q: What are some of the main features of Montaigne's essays? A: Some of the main features of Montaigne's essays are: his use of anecdotes and personal reflections; his skepticism and open-mindedness; his conversational tone and style. Q: What are some of the main topics that Montaigne explored in his essays? A: Some of the main topics that Montaigne explored in his essays are: religion, morality, politics, education, friendship, death, love, human nature, etc. Q: What are some of the main influences of Montaigne's essays on Western literature and philosophy? A: Some of the main influences of Montaigne's essays on Western literature and philosophy are: his contribution to various genres and fields of inquiry; his impact on many writers and thinkers who came after him; his representation of a new spirit of curiosity and inquiry that marked the emergence of modernity. 71b2f0854b