F}}nelon Telemachus [Paperback]

The most important work of 18th-century French political theory, and a commentary on Louis XIV's rule.Ranking with Bossuet's Politics as the most important work of political theory of the French grand siecle and influencing Montesquieu and Rousseau, this allegorical tale of Ulysses' son's education by his tutor Mentor is a commentary on the bellicosity and luxuriousness of Louis XIV.Ranking with Bossuet's Politics as the most important work of political theory of the French grand siecle and influencing Montesquieu and Rousseau, this allegorical tale of Ulysses' son's education by his tutor Mentor is a commentary on the bellicosity and luxuriousness of Louis XIV.Fénelon's Telemachus ranks with Bossuet's Politics as the most important work of political theory of the French grand siecle, influencing Montesquieu and Rousseau in its attempt to combine monarchism with republican virtues. Telling the tale of Ulysses' son Telemachus' education by his tutor Mentor (the goddess Minerva in disguise), it shows him learning the qualities of patience, courage, modesty and simplicity, needed when he succeeds as King of Ithaca. It is a commentary on the bellicosity and luxuriousness of Louis XIV.Acknowledgements; Introduction; Critical Biography; Biographical sketches; 1. Book I: Telemachus and Mentor, in search of Ulysses, arrive on the island of Calypso. The nymph is still bemoaning the departure of Ulysses; 2. Book II: Telemachus' account of Sesostris' wise rule in Egypt; 3. Book III: Telemachus' tale of the cruelties of Pygmalion and Astarb? at Tyre; 4. Book IV: Mentor reproves Telemachus for too easily falling under Calypso's spell. Telemachus continues his narrative; 5. Book V: The story of Idomeneus, king of Crete, who kills his son and is banished. Mentor refuses the Cretan throne; 6. Book VI: Telemachus falls in love with the nymph Eucharis, but Mentor tears him away from Calypso's island; Venus and Cupid are furious; 7. Book VII: Telemachus and Mentor learn of tl“Y