Lovers of the Enlightenment: Emilie and Voltaire
Pura (Wiebe), Talia, Born: January 3, 1955 (Playwright)
Born: January 3, 1955
Playwright
Emilie and Voltaire
2008 2008
monographic
text
Reading given in 2008 at FemFest in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Geographic setting: France. Historical period: Eighteenth century. Characters: male adults: 2; male seniors: 2; female adults: 3. Play includes speeches suitable for actors auditioning.
Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory
islandora:514bb149-e852-4a4a-87dd-20d77c51d12f
2018-08-21T01:13:37.313Z
Lovers of the Enlightenment: Emilie and Voltaire is the story of Emilie du Châtelet during the last eighteen months of her life. While most people are unaware of this great lady, who was a scientist during the first half of the eighteenth century, all have heard of her long-time lover, Voltaire. Emilie led a most unconventional life, not only because she studied languages and the sciences, but also because she lived openly with Voltaire for fifteen years. This was in spite of her marriage to a Marquis and station in the court of Louis XV. Much to her unhappiness, the day came when Voltaire declared himself impotent, but secretly began an affair with his niece. For her part, Emilie stayed with Voltaire, but began an affair with a young poet. When finding herself to be pregnant, at the age of 43, Emilie doubled her efforts to finish her translation and commentary of Newton’s work. She feared that she would die in childbirth and needed to complete the most important work of her life before that could occur. This play follows the intrigues of court life, scientific and religious thoughts of the day, and intertwining sexual affairs between the characters of the play. But, in the end, it is truly a love story between two of the greatest minds of the Enlightenment: Voltaire and the Marquise Emilie du Châtelet.