Comparing and Contrasting the Interpretations of Saint-Simon and Voltaire: Portraits of the King

The works of Saint-Simon and Voltaire provide two very different interpretations of the French monarchy and its king during the reign of Louis XIV and the early 18th century. While both were deeply concerned with the conditions of French society and the political establishment, their portrayals of the monarchy, particularly the king, diverge significantly. Saint-Simon, in his Memoirs, provides an aristocratic perspective on the court of Louis XIV, focusing on the inner workings of the royal court and its impact on French governance. On the other hand, Voltaire, in works like "Candide", offers a more satirical, Enlightenment critique of absolute monarchy and its failings. The goal of this comparison is to determine which portrait of the king—Saint-Simon's or Voltaire's—appears more convincing and accurate in terms of reflecting the true nature of the monarchy during this period.

1. Saint-Simon's Portrait of Louis XIV

Saint-Simon’s Aristocratic Perspective

Saint-Simon’s Memoirs provide an in-depth and personal portrayal of Louis XIV, focusing on the lives of the French aristocracy at the Versailles court. As a nobleman, Saint-Simon had firsthand access to the court, offering a privileged view of the inner workings of the royal household. His accounts of Louis XIV’s reign are largely based on personal observations and interactions with the king and other courtiers.

• Portrait of Louis XIV: Saint-Simon’s depiction of Louis XIV is often critical but highly detailed. He emphasizes the absolute nature of the king’s power and his meticulous control over court life. The king is portrayed as centralized, controlling both the nobility and the state with an iron grip. His ability to maintain such authority is seen as both admirable and dangerous, as it stifled individualism and led to the decline of the aristocracy's influence. Saint-Simon also critiques the king's vanity, describing his excessive pride and self-importance. While he acknowledges the king’s magnificence, Saint-Simon portrays Louis XIV’s reign as one marked by extravagance and sophisticated manipulation.

• Focus on Court Politics: Saint-Simon focuses extensively on the personal and political dynamics of the Versailles court, illustrating how Louis XIV’s reign fostered a culture of sycophancy and court intrigue. He shows how the king’s policies and decisions were often shaped by the machinations of the court elite and the noble factions, making the court a site of both political power and moral decay.

2. Voltaire’s Portrait of the King

Voltaire’s Enlightenment Critique

In contrast to Saint-Simon’s aristocratic perspective, Voltaire, the leading figure of the French Enlightenment, approaches the monarchy with a philosophical and satirical lens. In works like "Candide" and his historical writings, Voltaire critiques the excesses of monarchies, especially absolute monarchies like that of Louis XIV, and the broader political and social systems that supported them.

• Portrait of Louis XIV: Voltaire's portrayal of Louis XIV is more critical and satirical. He focuses on the tyranny and arrogance of monarchs like Louis XIV, often using the satirical style to expose their flaws. While Voltaire admires Louis XIV's accomplishments in military expansion and state-building, he also criticizes the absolutism and oppression inherent in his rule. In works such as "Letters on England" and "Philosophical Dictionary", Voltaire points out how the excessive power of monarchs like Louis XIV led to the miserable conditions of the common people and the corruption of the nobility.

• Focus on Institutional Critique: Voltaire does not just critique Louis XIV as a person but also the system of absolute monarchy that allowed such rulers to accumulate power. He views the king as tyrannical, embodying the corrupting influence of absolute power, and advocates for the enlightened despotism of more rational rulers. Voltaire’s view of monarchy is less about personal flaws and more about the inherent dangers of concentrated power, which leads to injustice and oppression.