Voltaire's work acts like a thermometer for the age of enlightenment. During the enlightenment era, there was a shift in thought and deed regarding humanity. As a result of this shift, the use of torture, punishment, and the death penalty were reevaluated. Speaking about torture, Voltaire said that "[r]edifined tortures, in which one can see how the human mind has worn itself out making death frightful, seems to be more the inventions of tyranny than of justice"(Voltaire,245). Here, Voltaire comments on how a select few in power use tyranny to oppress the members of a society in the name of justice. Instead of serving the state, the death penalty and torture have adverse affects on the state. Society grows cautious and afraid of its government. It is important to point out that the commoner (both sexes, working class, not of any noble decent) was subject to horrible torture and harsh punishment while there were times when the rich or affluent could use their wealth and power to escape their sentence. This unequal distribution o

Voltaire commented that there were as many different kinds of laws as there were towns. This lack of legal uniformity aided the instability of not only the political system but of the community as well. Individuals traveling to other towns might be met with strange laws. People that were unhappy with the current situation in a town or village could move to another place where they might achieve their goals. This led to the confusion and bewilderment of residence across France. For these reasons, it was difficult to build a strong society.

In the past, various leaders have played on these feelings of fear and intimidation to gain control over unruly masses. Harsh punishments, like the death penalty were used in time of revolution and chaos. Voltaire calls laws of this nature political laws because they "are made for reasons of short term need"(263). The law of reprisal is an example of a political law. Voltaire argues that many of these political laws outdated and even barbaric. He questions the ability of man to sentence another man to death. "This difficulty was solemnly debated before Emperor Henry VI. He made a judgement that no judge can have that right"(259). Voltaire realizes that there are some crimes that merit the death penalty. However,

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Approximate Word count = 857
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)