Michel de Montaigne 'On Cannibals'
Karl Steel・15 minutes read
Montaigne's essay on cannibals explores the idea of bravery in contrast to European practices, drawing on reports and engravings to delve into the origins of the Americas. Through questioning common opinions and comparing different cultures, Montaigne reflects on the benefits of leadership and explores the concept of kingship in his unedited conclusion.
Insights
- Montaigne's essay on cannibals, influenced by reports and illustrations, challenges European perspectives on barbarism and explores the complexities of cultural practices and societal norms.
- Through vivid comparisons between European practices and cannibalism, Montaigne highlights themes of courage, perception, and the relativity of moral judgments, prompting readers to reconsider their preconceived notions and question the foundations of their beliefs.
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Recent questions
Who is Michel de Montaigne?
French philosopher and essayist
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Summary
00:00
Montaigne's Essay on Cannibals and Europe
- Carl Steele introduces English 4113/4114 in Fall 2022, discussing Michel de Montaigne's essay on cannibals.
- The illustration from Ulrich Schmiedl's work in 1599 depicts cannibalism in South America, based on a German text from 1567.
- Montaigne, though never visiting America, relied on reports and books like Schmiedl's for his essay.
- Essays, derived from the French word "essayer," aim to explore ideas without a central argument, as seen in Montaigne's revisions to his work.
- Montaigne's essay, translated by Charles Cotton in 1670, delves into questioning common opinions and the origins of the Americas.
- Montaigne compares European practices of execution and torture to cannibalism, emphasizing bravery over cruelty in the latter.
- An engraving by Theodor de Bry in 1594 illustrates Europeans resorting to cannibalism due to poor planning and execution.
- The film "How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman" portrays a Frenchman captured by native Americans, mistaken for Portuguese, and eventually eaten.
- Montaigne's essay concludes with an unedited ending, where he imagines three natives visiting Europe, showcasing his unchanged thoughts over the years.
14:28
Montaigne Reflects on Benefits of Kingship
- Montaigne questions a person from America about their experience as a king, learning that as a king, the individual led men into battle and had a path cleared for them in the jungle, preventing their legs from being cut up. This exchange leads Montaigne to reflect on the benefits of being a king compared to the European culture of the time.
