Franois-Marie Arouet, aka Voltaire, was arguably the 18th century's greatest philosopher, but he was also a great novelist and playwright. In his play Socrates, Voltaire embodies the ancient philosopher's stodgy persona to expound on notions of Deism and condemn his fellow Athenians. Don't go looking for factual accuracy in this work, as the Voltaire took his fair share of artistic liberties. But if you're looking for Voltaire's classic satire-generally insulting organized religion and government-this is your play. |