Literature as we know it today is completely different than that of 400 years ago. During the time when Moliere was being criticized by the Catholic Church for writing Tartuffe, nobody would have ever thought that such grotesque stories such as, Zane's Sex Chronicles, would ever be socially accepted. Not only do people and societal views change over time, but literature as well.The play "Tartuffe", by Moliere, is a masterpiece created to show people the flaws in human nature. In the play, Moliere intentionally created a climate of religious hypocrites, and with his use of realistic characters, sparked the harsh criticism of the public. The king, Louis XIV, enjoyed the play, but banned ...view middle of the document...
When children got older they had to convert to Roman Catholicism or leave their parents. Protestants couldn't establish schools and they couldn't leave France.Their churches were closed or torn down, and people who tried to practice their religion were punished as enemies of the state. The pastors were told to leave, although other Protestants couldn't leave. King Louis passed a law saying that all children born in France had to be baptized by a Roman Catholic Priest. Protestants outside of Paris were tortured. They were forced to dance to exhaustion, beaten, burnt, and scorched. Non-Catholics in France faced brutal treatment for their beliefs.In society a growing middle class began to emerge onto the scene. They were made up of successful merchants and town officials. They helped the expansion of art because they were the main audiences of the arts. They brought pictures, requested portraits, went to see plays, and enjoyed music. Different types of musical entertainment evolved during the rule of King Louis. Ballets and opera emerged and plays set to music became popular. Musicians, authors, painters, and actors w...
