# Candide — Candide character guide > Candide in Candide by Voltaire. **Role:** major **Also known as:** little Candide, young Candide, honest Candide, Captain Candide, Mr. Candide **First appearance:** 0001-candide ## Who they are A guileless young man kicked out of his baronial paradise for loving Cunégonde, he trusts Pangloss's creed that all is for the best while the world clubs him senseless. ## Relationships ### [Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cunegonde) _romantic_ Candide is hopelessly in love with Cunégonde and pursues her throughout their many misadventures, though their relationship is tested by time and tragedy. ### [Pangloss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/pangloss) _psychological_ Candide idolizes Pangloss as his mentor and clings to his optimistic philosophy despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, creating a dynamic of blind faith and disillusionment. ### [Cacambo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cacambo) _friendship_ Cacambo is Candide's loyal and resourceful servant-companion who helps him navigate foreign lands and dangerous situations with practical wisdom. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/martin) _friendship_ Martin becomes Candide's pessimistic philosophical foil and traveling companion, engaging in debates about the nature of good and evil. ### [Paquette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/paquette) _social_ Candide encounters Paquette, a former servant and Pangloss's lover, and learns of her悲惨 life as a prostitute, showing the failure of optimism. ### [Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cunegonde) _romantic_ Candide is hopelessly in love with Cunégonde and pursues her throughout their many misadventures, though their relationship is tested by time and tragedy. ### [Pangloss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/pangloss) _psychological_ Candide idolizes Pangloss as his mentor and clings to his optimistic philosophy despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, creating a dynamic of blind faith and disillusionment. ### [Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/martin) _friendship_ Martin becomes Candide's pessimistic philosophical foil and traveling companion, engaging in debates about the nature of good and evil. ### [Cacambo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cacambo) _friendship_ Cacambo is Candide's loyal and resourceful servant-companion who helps him navigate foreign lands and dangerous situations with practical wisdom. ### [Pangloss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/pangloss) _psychological_ Candide idolizes Pangloss as his mentor and clings to his optimistic philosophy despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, creating a dynamic of blind faith and disillusionment. ### [Cacambo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cacambo) _friendship_ Cacambo is Candide's loyal and resourceful servant-companion who helps him navigate foreign lands and dangerous situations with practical wisdom. ### [Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/cunegonde) _romantic_ Candide is hopelessly in love with Cunégonde and pursues her throughout their many misadventures, though their relationship is tested by time and tragedy. ## In the story ### [Candide](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/candide) The protagonist, a naive and optimistic young man who undergoes a series of horrific adventures, gradually losing his optimism and finally choosing to cultivate his garden. ### [How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent Castle, and How He Was Expelled Thence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/i-how-candide-was-brought-up-in-a-magnificent-castle-and-how-he-was-expelled-thence) Introduced as a gentle youth of simple judgment, believed to be the Baron's nephew, who innocently falls in love with Cunégonde and is expelled for kissing her. ### [II: What Became of Candide Among the Bulgarians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/ii-what-became-of-candide-among-the-bulgarians) Driven from the castle, he wanders destitute, is tricked into joining the Bulgarian army, brutally trained, and nearly executed before being pardoned. ### [How Candide Made His Escape from the Bulgarians, and What Afterwards Became of Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/iii-how-candide-made-his-escape-from-the-bulgarians-and-what-afterwards-became-of-him) Hides during the battle, escapes through war-torn villages, and is rejected by a religious orator before being helped by James the Anabaptist. ### [IV: How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss, and What Happened to Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/iv-how-candide-found-his-old-master-pangloss-and-what-happened-to-them) Finds Pangloss as a beggar, gives him his last florins, and brings him to James for care. ### [V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/v-tempest-shipwreck-earthquake-and-what-became-of-doctor-pangloss-candide-and-james-the-anabaptist) Witnesses James's drowning and is prevented from jumping after him; is wounded by falling stones and faints; receives water from Pangloss. ### [How the Portuguese Made a Beautiful Auto-Da-Fé, to Prevent Any Further Earthquakes; and How Candide Was Publicly Whipped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/vi-how-the-portuguese-made-a-beautiful-auto-da-f-to-prevent-any-further-earthquakes-and-how-candide-was-publicly-whipped) Whipped in cadence during the auto-da-fé, then left bleeding and despairing. ### [VII: How the Old Woman Took Care of Candide, and How He Found the Object He Loved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/vii-how-the-old-woman-took-care-of-candide-and-how-he-found-the-object-he-loved) Candide is healed by the old woman and is joyfully reunited with Cunégonde, believing her dead. ### [VIII: The History of Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/viii-the-history-of-cun-gonde) Listens to Cunégonde's story; expresses desire to see her scar; is reunited with her after the auto-da-fé. ### [IX: What Became of Cunégonde, Candide, the Grand Inquisitor, and the Jew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/ix-what-became-of-cun-gonde-candide-the-grand-inquisitor-and-the-jew) Kills Don Issachar and the Grand Inquisitor in self-defense and to protect Cunégonde, then flees with her and the old woman. ### [X: In What Distress Candide, Cunégonde, and the Old Woman Arrived at Cadiz; and of Their Embarkation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/x-in-what-distress-candide-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-arrived-at-cadiz-and-of-their-embarkation) Robbed of money and jewels; sells a horse; performs military exercises and becomes a captain; remains optimistic about the New World. ### [XI: History of the Old Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xi-history-of-the-old-woman) Present as a listener to the Old Woman's narrative. ### [XIII: How Candide Was Forced Away from His Fair Cunégonde and the Old Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiii-how-candide-was-forced-away-from-his-fair-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman) Reluctantly leaves Cunégonde after being warned by the Old Woman that he will be arrested for killing the Grand Inquisitor. ### [XIV: How Candide and Cacambo Were Received by the Jesuits of Paraguay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xiv-how-candide-and-cacambo-were-received-by-the-jesuits-of-paraguay) Travels with Cacambo to Paraguay, reunites with Cunégonde's brother. ### [XV: How Candide Killed the Brother of His Dear Cunégonde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xv-how-candide-killed-the-brother-of-his-dear-cun-gonde) Kills Cunégonde's brother in a duel after the Baron refuses his marriage proposal. ### [XVI: Adventures of the Two Travellers, with Two Girls, Two Monkeys, and the Savages Called Oreillons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xvi-adventures-of-the-two-travellers-with-two-girls-two-monkeys-and-the-savages-called-oreillons) Shoots the monkeys to rescue the girls, then is captured by the Oreillons and nearly eaten, but is saved by Cacambo's speech. ### [Arrival of Candide and His Valet at El Dorado, and What They Saw There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xvii-arrival-of-candide-and-his-valet-at-el-dorado-and-what-they-saw-there) Arrives in El Dorado with Cacambo, marvels at the abundance and the children's disregard for gold and jewels. ### [XVIII: What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xviii-what-they-saw-in-the-country-of-el-dorado) Candide is amazed by El Dorado but ultimately chooses to leave, driven by his love for Cunégonde and a desire for wealth and status in Europe. ### [Chapter XIX: What Happened to Them at Surinam and How Candide Got Acquainted with Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xix-what-happened-to-them-at-surinam-and-how-candide-got-acquainted-with-martin) Renounces optimism after seeing the mutilated slave; sends Cacambo to rescue Cunégonde; is cheated by Vanderdendur and the magistrate; selects Martin as his traveling companion. ### [XX: What Happened at Sea to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xx-what-happened-at-sea-to-candide-and-martin) Debates with Martin about good and evil, rejoices at recovering one sheep from El Dorado, and still hopes to find Cunégonde. ### [Chapter XXI: Candide and Martin, Reasoning, Draw Near the Coast of France](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxi-candide-and-martin-reasoning-draw-near-the-coast-of-france) Candide expresses no curiosity to see France, only to reunite with Cunégonde in Venice. He questions Martin about the nature of the world and humanity, still clinging to the idea of free will. ### [XXII: What Happened in France to Candide and Martin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxii-what-happened-in-france-to-candide-and-martin) Arrives in Paris, falls ill, is seduced by the Marchioness, and is tricked by the Abbé and a false Cunégonde before bribing his way out of arrest. ### [XXIII: Candide and Martin Touched Upon the Coast of England, and What They Saw There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiii-candide-and-martin-touched-upon-the-coast-of-england-and-what-they-saw-there) Expresses despair about the world and is shocked by the execution of the English Admiral. ### [Of Paquette and Friar Giroflée](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxiv-of-paquette-and-friar-girofl-e) Melancholy and waiting for Cunégonde; invites Paquette and Friar Giroflée to dinner; gives them money. ### [XXV: The Visit to Lord Pococurante, a Noble Venetian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxv-the-visit-to-lord-pococurante-a-noble-venetian) Accompanies Martin to visit Lord Pococurante; is impressed by the nobleman's wealth and critical opinions but remains hopeful about reuniting with Cunégonde. ### [Of a Supper Which Candide and Martin Took with Six Strangers, and Who They Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvi-of-a-supper-which-candide-and-martin-took-with-six-strangers-and-who-they-were) Overjoyed to see Cacambo, learns Cunégonde is in Constantinople, and gives a diamond to King Theodore. ### [Chapter XXVII: Candide's Voyage to Constantinople](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxvii-candide-s-voyage-to-constantinople) Travels to Constantinople, ransoms Cacambo, Pangloss, and the Baron, and resolves to rescue Cunégonde despite her ugliness. ### [Chapter XXVIII: What Happened to Candide, Cunégonde, Pangloss, Martin, etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxviii-what-happened-to-candide-cun-gonde-pangloss-martin-etc) Apologizes to the Baron for stabbing him and ransoms Pangloss and the Baron from the galleys. ### [Chapter XXIX: How Candide Found Cunégonde and the Old Woman Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxix-how-candide-found-cun-gonde-and-the-old-woman-again) Reunited with Cunégonde, recoils at her ugliness but agrees to marry her; threatens to kill the Baron again. ### [XXX: The Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/xxx-the-conclusion) Reluctantly marries Cunégonde, consults the Dervish, and ultimately decides to cultivate his garden. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in endnotes regarding his rendezvous at Venice and his interactions with the Perigordian Abbé. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters/candide - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/candide_se/characters