Has had the most misfortunes out of all the characters in the novel
Her resilience helps her to remain hopeful
In contrast with the blind optimism of Candide and Pangloss, she possesses a hope that is genuine
Daughter of the Baron of Thunder-ten-tronckh
Pursued by Candide
Young and beautiful
Has a bland personality
Cacambo
Martin
Candide’s royal servant
Always looking for adventure
He has little interest in philosophy
He is always on Candide’s side, despite his hardships
Due to his wittiness, he does not go through many hardships as the other characters
Manichaeist
Elderly scholar who has suffered a ton of hardships
Hired by Candide, he accompanies Candide on his journey throughout Europe
Extreme pessimist, exact opposite of Pangloss the optimist
Dr. Pangloss
Candide
Mentor of Candide and a philosopher
He is responsible for the book’s famous idea, “that all is for the best in this “best of all possible worlds.” His overly optimistic philosophy is Voltaire’s target in the satire.
His philosophy is a parody of enlightenment thinker G.W. von Leibniz, who believes that it is the all-powerful god who created a perfect world
main character of the novel
protagonist
good-hearted but hopelessly naive young man
mentor was Pangloss
He loved Cunégonde
Candide is less a realistic character than a conduit for the attitudes and events that surround him. His opinions and actions are determined almost entirely by the influence of outside factors