← All characters

Beyond Good and Evil · Character

Voltaire

French Enlightenment writer referenced for his wit and philosophical stance.

minor

Also known as Voltaire

First appearance: i prejudices of philosophers

Voltaire shows up with force in II: The Free Spirit. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Invoked sarcastically ('O Voltaire!
In the storyII: The Free SpiritOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In II: The Free Spirit: Invoked sarcastically ('O Voltaire! O humanity! O idiocy!') in a critique of the humane, moralistic search for truth that seeks it only 'to do good,' which the narrator claims finds nothing.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Voltaire sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Voltaire in i prejudices of philosophers

Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Voltaire sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

TNThe NarratorGEGotthold Ephra…ARAristophanesTLThe Learned ManAGAbbé GalianiVOVoltaire

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • European Cultural Pantheon
  • Protagonist
  • Ancient Greek Thinkers
  • Philosophical Archetypes

+2 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The passage reveals the Wanderer's ultimate psychological exhaustion with seeking truth, climaxing in his desp…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Voltaire appears across 5 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Voltaire unlock in the free preview.

See Voltaire in i prejudices of philosophers
Who is Voltaire in Beyond Good and Evil?