Zadig; Or, The Book of Fate by Voltaire is an Oriental tale written in the early 18th century, following the philosophical journey of Zadig, a cultured young man from Babylon. Zadig experiences love, fate, and the complexities of life in a humorous yet thought-provoking way. The story begins with a dedication to the Sultana Sheraa, setting the stage for a series of adventures that explore themes of destiny, morality, and human nature. Early in the story, we meet Zadig, portrayed as wise and generous, admired for his character and intellect. His happiness, on the verge of marrying the beautiful Semira, is abruptly shattered by a violent confrontation with jealous rivals. This leads to a series of misfortunes, including the loss of Semira to Orcan, a powerful and arrogant antagonist. Injured in one eye during the struggle, Zadig¡¯s experiences foreshadow the trials he will face in his pursuit of love and fulfillment and lay the groundwork for the philosophical reflections that emerge from these encounters.
DEDICATION
Approbation.
CHAP. I. The Blind Eye.
CHAP. II. The Nose.
CHAP. III. The Dog and the Horse.
CHAP. IV. The envious Man.
CHAP. V. The Force of Generosity.
CHAP. VI. The Judgments.
CHAP. VII. The Force of Jealousy.
CHAP. VIII. The Thrash¡¯d Wife.
CHAP. IX. The Captive.
CHAP. X. The Funeral Pile.
CHAP. XI. The Evening¡¯s Entertainment.
CHAP. XII. The Rendezvous.
CHAP. XIII. The Free-booter.
CHAP. XIV. The Fisherman.
CHAP. XV. The Basilisk.
CHAP. XVI. The Tournaments.
CHAP. XVII. The Hermit.
CHAP. XVIII. The ¨¡nigmas, or Riddles.