| Quote #4 "Alas!" said the other, "it was love; love, the comfort of the human species, the preserver of the universe, the soul of all sensible beings, love, tender love." |
Pangloss and Candide equate love with salvation.
| Quote #5 "Yet again!" said Cunégonde, "now there is no mercy for us, we are excommunicated, our last hour has come. How could you do it? You, naturally so gentle, to slay a Jew and a prelate in two minutes!" |
Candide, blinded by love, explains that he will stop at no ends to defend his love for Cunégonde.
| Quote #6 "I was affianced to the most excellent Prince of Massa Carara. Such a prince! as handsome as myself, sweet-tempered, agreeable, brilliantly witty, and sparkling with love. I loved him as one loves for the first time--with idolatry, with transport […]. " (11.2) |
The Old Woman characterizes first love as blinding and overwhelming. This is in accord with Candide’s experience of love.