If so, does anyone know what the name Cunégonde means? I've searched everywhere and can't figure it out!
2007-02-09 14:21:10 · 5 answers · asked by imaginarymagician 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
It's believed to be derived from the name of a saint, Cunigunde of Luxemburg.
The first link mentions the character in Candide, the second the saint.
2007-02-09 14:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by skellyatsogang 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Cunégonde" is the French form of Kunigunde, a name that must have appeared particularly Teuton to Voltaire. Voltaire knew Germany very well, for years he was a guest of Frederick the Great, and his depiction of "Westphalia" where Candide grows up, is very much a caricature of all things German. Apart from Kunigunde being the name of a German Empress later sainted, both the exotic sound and the weird etymology for a female name (from Old German "kuoni" = valiant and "gund" = war/strife, i.e someone who is valiant in war or strife) must have made this an ideal name for Candide's love interest.
2007-02-10 00:23:32 · answer #2 · answered by Sterz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My all time favorite story. Candide is the protagonist a true "optimist" his lovely but plump Cunegonde is just a name
most likely from Cunegonde of Luxembourg.
Dr. Pangloss said:
" everything is for the best in all possible worlds"
thank you I will re-read Candide tonight
2007-02-09 22:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree wholeheartedly with iltmaemc and skelly above... Couldn't have said it better myself.
I too, will be in the process of digging my copy out of my book collection in the morning...
Thanks! Its been a while since I read this too. I love Voltaire!
2007-02-10 01:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have. My copy has footnotes, but doesn't mention the meaning of Cunegonde. The best information I found was on Wikipedia. It says her name was probably derived from Cunigunde of Luxemburg.
2007-02-09 22:34:07 · answer #5 · answered by Amy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋