Mahomet - Voltaire

Summary

Voltaire's "Mahomet" (full title: "Fanaticism, or Mahomet the Prophet") is a five-act tragedy that critiques religious fanaticism, intolerance, and the abuse of power under the guise of divine authority. The play is set during Mahomet's conquest of Mecca. It tells the story of Mahomet, an ambitious and manipulative prophet, who seeks to consolidate his power by any means necessary. He uses religious zealotry to incite a young, idealistic warrior named Seid to assassinate Zopire, an old and virtuous leader who opposes Mahomet. Unbeknownst to Seid, Zopire is his long-lost father, and Palmire, a young woman whom Seid loves and who is also a captive of Mahomet, is Seid's sister and Zopire's daughter. Mahomet orchestrates this horrific act of patricide, and in his pursuit of absolute control, also tries to seduce Palmire. The play culminates in a tragic climax where Seid discovers the truth after committing the deed, leading to his and Palmire's deaths, leaving Mahomet to contemplate the monstrous consequences of his fanaticism.

Book Sections

Section 1

The play opens outside Mecca, where Mahomet's army is encamped. Mahomet, driven by ambition to establish his new religion and empire, is preparing to conquer the city. He sends his general, Zopire (who has adopted the name Omar and serves Mahomet, though he secretly despises his tyranny), to demand Mecca's surrender. Zopire, a former ruler of Mecca, returns with news of the city's resistance, led by Mahomet's old enemy, Sheikh All' (also known as Ali or simply "the old man of Mecca").

Mahomet has two young captives, Seid and Palmire, whom he raised after capturing them as children. They are deeply in love and believe themselves to be orphans. Mahomet is aware of their noble lineage, specifically that they are the children of Zopire, though the children themselves and Zopire are ignorant of this fact. Mahomet plots to use them to further his agenda. He learns of the love between Seid and Palmire and sees an opportunity to exploit it. He reveals to Zopire/Omar that Seid and Palmire are his long-lost children. Mahomet plans to make Seid, whom he has carefully molded into a zealous follower, assassinate Zopire, his own father, under the guise of a divine command, thereby eliminating a powerful opponent and demonstrating his absolute control over his followers.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mahomet	Ambitious, manipulative, charismatic, ruthless, hypocritical, self-proclaimed prophet.	To establish his new religion and empire, consolidate power, eliminate rivals, and achieve absolute control.
Zopire (Omar)	Virtuous, honorable, wise, former ruler of Mecca, loyal to his city despite serving Mahomet.	To protect Mecca and its people, maintain his honor, and eventually reunite with his children (unbeknownst to him at first).
Seid	Young, idealistic, fervent believer in Mahomet, courageous, easily swayed by religious zeal.	To serve Mahomet and God, fulfill his perceived divine destiny, and protect Palmire.
Palmire	Young, pure, deeply in love with Seid, innocent, strong-willed, devout but questioning.	To be with Seid, find peace, and follow what she believes is righteous.
Phanor	Mahomet's loyal general.	To serve Mahomet and ensure the success of his prophet's endeavors.

Section 2

Mahomet continues to indoctrinate Seid, flattering him and appealing to his sense of divine purpose. He convinces Seid that he is a chosen instrument of God and that by serving Mahomet, he will achieve glory and salvation. Seid, completely consumed by fanaticism, wholeheartedly accepts this role, ready to carry out any command from his prophet.

Meanwhile, Mahomet approaches Palmire and expresses his desire to marry her, promising her power and a prominent role by his side. He attempts to separate her from Seid, viewing their love as a potential obstacle to his plans. Palmire, however, is deeply disturbed by Mahomet's proposition and his increasingly tyrannical behavior. She firmly rejects his advances, asserting her love for Seid and expressing her growing unease about Mahomet's true intentions and the fanaticism he instills in his followers. Zopire, unaware that Seid and Palmire are his children, continues to oppose Mahomet's tyranny, openly questioning his authority and trying to expose him as a fraudulent leader who uses religion for personal gain. He senses a sinister plot unfolding.

Section 3

Mahomet finalizes his horrifying plan. He calls Seid and, under the guise of a sacred revelation, orders him to assassinate Zopire. He frames the act as a necessary sacrifice for the faith, a divine command that will prove Seid's unwavering devotion and earn him immense spiritual rewards. He emphasizes that Zopire is an enemy of the new religion, deserving of death. Seid, blinded by fanaticism and convinced of his sacred duty, agrees to commit patricide, though he does not know it is his father.

Palmire, increasingly fearful and suspicious of Mahomet, senses the imminent danger and tries desperately to dissuade Seid from carrying out Mahomet's dark command. She appeals to his conscience, expressing her doubts about Mahomet's pronouncements and the morality of such a brutal act. She warns Seid of the potential for grave sin and manipulation. However, Seid's indoctrination is complete; his zealotry has overridden his reason and moral compass. He dismisses Palmire's fears as weakness and reaffirming his commitment to Mahomet's divine will.

Section 4

The assassination takes place. Seid, still believing he is fulfilling a holy mission, confronts Zopire and stabs him. As Zopire lies dying, he curses Mahomet and, in his final breaths, reveals the terrible truth to Seid: that he (Zopire) is Seid's true father, and that Palmire is his sister. He exposes Mahomet as a deceiver who orchestrated this monstrous act of patricide.

Seid is instantly shattered by this revelation. The horrifying truth of his deed overwhelms him with guilt, despair, and a profound sense of betrayal. His fanaticism collapses, replaced by agonizing remorse for having murdered his own father at the behest of a charlatan. Palmire arrives on the scene, witnessing Seid's agony and the dying Zopire's last moments. She is utterly distraught by the realization of her family connection to the victim and the perpetrator, and the depth of Mahomet's cruelty. The full scope of Mahomet's manipulation becomes clear to them both, but it is too late.

Section 5

Seid, consumed by his guilt and the horror of his patricide, confronts Mahomet, exposing his lies and denouncing his fanaticism. He attempts to reveal Mahomet's true nature to everyone, but his body begins to fail him. It is implied that Seid was poisoned, either by Mahomet to prevent him from exposing the truth, or perhaps by Zopire's blade itself, or a slow-acting poison given earlier. Seid dies, crying out against Mahomet's deception.

Palmire, having lost her father and her beloved brother/lover to Mahomet's cruelty, curses the prophet and the false religion he propagates. Overwhelmed by grief, horror, and a desperate sense of injustice, she takes her own life. Mahomet, despite achieving his immediate goals of eliminating Zopire and consolidating power, is left alone. He has secured a victory, but at an unspeakable human cost. The play ends with Mahomet reflecting on the "monsters" he has created and the terrible consequences of his ambition and fanaticism, perhaps hinting at a moment of chilling realization or an unwavering commitment to his ruthless path, devoid of true humanity.

Literary Genre

Tragedy; a five-act verse play (specifically a classical French tragedy).

Author Facts

• François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state.
• He was a prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 2,000 books and pamphlets and 20,000 letters.
• Voltaire was an advocate for civil liberties and famously championed victims of religious intolerance, such as Jean Calas. His writings often satirized despotism and fanaticism, making him a central figure in the Enlightenment movement.
• He spent time in exile in England, where he was exposed to the ideas of John Locke and Isaac Newton, which profoundly influenced his philosophical outlook.

Moral of the Book

The primary moral of "Mahomet" is a powerful condemnation of religious fanaticism, intolerance, and the abuse of power under the guise of divine authority. Voltaire critiques how charismatic leaders can manipulate naive followers, turning their faith into a tool for violence and oppression. The play highlights the dangers of blind obedience, showing how it can lead individuals to commit horrific acts against their own moral compass and even their closest kin. It underscores the destructive potential of zealotry when it supersedes reason, compassion, and natural human bonds, leading to tragic outcomes for both the victims and the perpetrators.

Curiosities

• Controversy and Censorship: "Mahomet" was highly controversial from its initial production. It premiered in Lille in 1741 but was quickly banned in Paris after just three performances in 1742 due to accusations of sacrilege and attacking religion. Critics saw Mahomet as a thinly veiled attack on Catholicism and organized religion in general, or even as a direct critique of Louis XV's absolute monarchy.
• Target of the Critique: While ostensibly about the founder of Islam, Voltaire's "Mahomet" is widely understood as a critique of religious fanaticism and hypocrisy in general, not solely aimed at Islam. Voltaire's aim was to expose how any religion, when wielded by a ruthless, ambitious leader, can be perverted into a tool for oppression and violence. Many contemporary observers and later scholars viewed Mahomet as a stand-in for other religious figures or even secular tyrants.
• Napoleon's Admiration: Ironically, Napoleon Bonaparte was a great admirer of "Mahomet," seeing in the play a portrayal of a powerful, determined leader who could shape destiny. He arranged for a performance of the play during his Egyptian campaign and even wrote an essay on it.
• Restaging and Interpretation: The play was revived in later centuries, often sparking new debates about its interpretation and relevance. For example, during the French Revolution, it was sometimes reinterpreted as a commentary on political tyranny rather than purely religious fanaticism.