Pangloss

Candide

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.

Cunégonde

Cunégonde was Pangloss's student in 'metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology,' and their relationship is one of teacher and pupil with underlying romantic curiosity.

Paquette

Pangloss had a sexual relationship with Paquette, the chambermaid, which led to him contracting syphilis, yet he still defends his optimistic philosophy.

Cacambo

Cacambo and Pangloss are fellow travelers in Candide's group, with Cacambo often pragmatically countering Pangloss's absurd optimism.

Candide

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.

Candide

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.

Cunégonde

Cunégonde was Pangloss's student in 'metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology,' and their relationship is one of teacher and pupil with underlying romantic curiosity.

Paquette

Pangloss had a sexual relationship with Paquette, the chambermaid, which led to him contracting syphilis, yet he still defends his optimistic philosophy.

Cacambo

Cacambo and Pangloss are fellow travelers in Candide's group, with Cacambo often pragmatically countering Pangloss's absurd optimism.

Cunégonde

Cunégonde was Pangloss's student in 'metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology,' and their relationship is one of teacher and pupil with underlying romantic curiosity.

Candide

The philosopher who teaches that all is for the best; he suffers syphilis, hanging, and galley slavery, yet stubbornly clings to his optimistic philosophy.

How Candide Was Brought Up in a Magnificent Castle, and How He Was Expelled Thence

The family's oracle and professor of metaphysico-theologico-cosmolo-nigology, who teaches that all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.

II: What Became of Candide Among the Bulgarians

Referenced by Candide as the teacher of his optimistic philosophy, which he still believes when recruited.

How Candide Made His Escape from the Bulgarians, and What Afterwards Became of Him

Candide recalls Pangloss's philosophy; Pangloss appears at the end as a diseased beggar.

IV: How Candide Found His Old Master Pangloss, and What Happened to Them

Found as a diseased beggar; recounts the destruction of the castle and Cunégonde's death, and explains his syphilis through a genealogy.

V: Tempest, Shipwreck, Earthquake, and What Became of Doctor Pangloss, Candide, and James the Anabaptist

Demonstrates a priori that the Bay of Lisbon was made for James to drown; argues with the sailor and the Familiar of the Inquisition; insists the earthquake is for the best.

How the Portuguese Made a Beautiful Auto-Da-Fé, to Prevent Any Further Earthquakes; and How Candide Was Publicly Whipped

Hanged during the auto-da-fé for speaking his mind.

VIII: The History of Cunégonde

Mentioned as having been hanged at the auto-da-fé; his optimistic philosophy is called into question by Cunégonde.

XVI: Adventures of the Two Travellers, with Two Girls, Two Monkeys, and the Savages Called Oreillons

Mentioned by Candide in his lament about pure nature and the possibility of monkey-human mixtures.

XVIII: What They Saw in the Country of El Dorado

Pangloss is not present but is referenced by Candide, who reflects that Pangloss would have been impressed by El Dorado.

Chapter XXVII: Candide's Voyage to Constantinople

Found as a galley slave, ransomed by Candide, and tearfully grateful.

Chapter XXVIII: What Happened to Candide, Cunégonde, Pangloss, Martin, etc.

Describes his survival after being hanged, dissected, and revived, then sent to the galleys for picking up a bouquet in a mosque; still insists on Leibnizian optimism.

Chapter XXIX: How Candide Found Cunégonde and the Old Woman Again

Present, relating adventures and reasoning on events.

XXX: The Conclusion

Still asserts optimism despite no longer believing it; argues with the Dervish and later acknowledges the need to work.

Endnotes

The name Pangloss is etymologically explained as deriving from Greek words meaning 'all' and 'language.'