Daniel Defoe

The Political History of the Devil (Annotated) (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

• This edition includes the following editor's introduction: Daniel Defoe beyond Robinson Crusoe

First published in 1726, “The Political History of the Devil” is a study of the devil by English novelist, satirist and political journalist Daniel Defoe.

Irreverent and ironic, “The Political History of the Devil” examines the evolution of evil and the rise of the historical force known as " the devil." Defoe's passionate and perceptive survey starts with Satan's origins, chronicling the devil's presence in the Bible and his growing sway over humanity. An overview of satanic influences on eighteenth-century life follows, focusing on monarchs and tyrants as well as common folk. Defoe supports his arguments not only with extensive quotes from scripture but also with citations from other sources, including Milton's “Paradise Lost.”

Written at the dawn of the Enlightenment, this treatise recaptures a moment in time when widespread certainty of the devil's existence was dwindling. Defoe, a firm believer, posits that the devil reacted to the changing times by shifting his influence from the supernatural realm of witches and wizards to the ordinary world of " beaus, beauties, wits, and fools." This intriguing view of politics and society during the 1700s offers a vivid contemporary portrait of a culture torn between theology and reason.

General scholarly opinion is that Defoe, a Protestant Dissenter, really did think of the Devil as a participant in world history. He suggests that the devil appears on earth both in his own form and through inhabiting the bodies and minds of other beings. Defoe was strongly anti-Catholic and here he associates the devil with Catholicism, specifically with the Pope. Defoe blames the Devil for the Crusades and sees him as close to Europe's Catholic powers. The book was banned by the Roman Catholic Church.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: ePembaBooks
• Erscheinungstermin: 16. November 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9791222024462
• Artikelnr.: 66449963

Autorenporträt

Daniel Defoe, born around 1660 in London, was a writer, trader, and journalist who became one of the earliest novelists in the English language. Known for his adventurous spirit, Defoe engaged in various businesses and faced financial hardships, leading him to become a prolific pamphleteer. His life experiences, including time in prison, greatly influenced his writing and shaped his views on politics and society.In 1719, Defoe published Robinson Crusoe, which gained widespread acclaim and is often credited as one of the first English novels. His writing style, blending realism with fiction, allowed readers to engage deeply with his characters' inner lives. This novel, along with his other works, significantly impacted the development of the English novel and storytelling.Throughout his life, Defoe continued writing novels, essays, and political pamphlets, often under pseudonyms. His later works, like Moll Flanders and A Journal of the Plague Year, further explored complex characters and social themes. Defoe's legacy as a pioneer of English literature endures, with his novels still celebrated for their insight into human nature and society.