When did Voltaire write the play Mahomet?
Voltaire wrote the play Mahomet in 1736 during a period of intense philosophical inquiry. He crafted the five-act tragedy while living in France and drew on historical episodes involving Muhammad.
Questions about Mahomet (play)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the plot summary of the play Mahomet by Voltaire?
The narrative unfolds during Muhammad's siege of Mecca in 629 AD when opposing forces observe a short-term truce. Seid slays Zopir after his fanatical loyalty overtakes his initial hesitation, and Palmira renounces Mahomet's God and commits suicide rather than fall into his clutches.
Who are the main characters in the play Mahomet written by Voltaire?
Zopir stands as an ardent advocate for free will who openly rejects Mahomet. Seid and Palmira are two long-lost children abducted fifteen years earlier and raised in slavery under Mahomet's control, while Omar represents a known historical figure who became the second caliph.
Why did Voltaire write the play Mahomet?
Voltaire described the work as written against the founder of what he called a false and barbarous sect. His letter to Pope Benedict XIV in August 1745 reveals his intent to use satire to expose cruelty and errors attributed to a false prophet.
When was the first performance of the play Mahomet held?
The debut performance took place in Lille on the 25th of April 1741. Voltaire sent a copy of the play to Pope Benedict XIV along with a couplet in Latin requesting two holy medals.