Summary
Candide and Martin sit down for what they think is a normal dinner at their Venice inn, but it turns into one of the most surreal encounters of their journey. When Cacambo suddenly appears as a servant, Candide learns that Cunegonde is in Constantinople, setting up their next destination. But the real shock comes when six fellow diners reveal themselves to be dethroned kings and emperors—each stripped of power by war, family betrayal, or political upheaval. There's a former Sultan of Turkey, a deposed Russian Emperor, the exiled King of England, two fallen Polish kings, and a broke King of Corsica who once ruled from a throne and now barely has clothes on his back. Each tells their story with resigned dignity, accepting their fall from grace as part of life's unpredictable nature. The scene becomes both absurd and deeply human as these former rulers bond over their shared losses. Candide, still wealthy enough to casually give away a diamond worth more than any of them possess, represents the randomness of fortune that Voltaire keeps highlighting. The chapter works as a perfect satire of how quickly power can evaporate, but also shows genuine compassion as the fallen kings help each other with small kindnesses. It's Voltaire's way of saying that underneath all the pomp and titles, we're all just people trying to get by, and today's king could be tomorrow's beggar. The absurdity of finding six dethroned monarchs at one dinner table drives home how unstable and meaningless political power really is.
Coming Up in Chapter 27
With Cunegonde's location finally revealed, Candide prepares for the journey to Constantinople. But what will he find when he reaches the woman he's been chasing across continents? The reunion he's dreamed of may not match the reality waiting for him.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF A SUPPER WHICH CANDIDE AND MARTIN TOOK WITH SIX STRANGERS, AND WHO THEY WERE.[34] One evening that Candide and Martin were going to sit down to supper with some foreigners who lodged in the same inn, a man whose complexion was as black as soot, came behind Candide, and taking him by the arm, said: "Get yourself ready to go along with us; do not fail." Upon this he turned round and saw--Cacambo! Nothing but the sight of Cunegonde could have astonished and delighted him more. He was on the point of going mad with joy. He embraced his dear friend. "Cunegonde is here, without doubt; where is she? Take me to her that I may die of joy in her company." "Cunegonde is not here," said Cacambo, "she is at Constantinople." "Oh, heavens! at Constantinople! But were she in China I would fly thither; let us be off." "We shall set out after supper," replied Cacambo. "I can tell you nothing more; I am a slave, my master awaits me, I must serve him at table; speak not a word, eat, and then get ready." Candide, distracted between joy and grief, delighted at seeing his faithful agent again, astonished at finding him a slave, filled with the fresh hope of recovering his mistress, his heart palpitating, his understanding confused, sat down to table with Martin, who saw all these scenes quite unconcerned, and with six strangers who had come to spend the Carnival at Venice. Cacambo waited at table upon one of the strangers; towards the end of the entertainment he drew near his master, and whispered in his ear: "Sire, your Majesty may start when you please, the vessel is ready." On saying these words he went out. The company in great surprise looked at one another without speaking a word, when another domestic approached his master and said to him: "Sire, your Majesty's chaise is at Padua, and the boat is ready." The master gave a nod and the servant went away. The company all stared at one another again, and their surprise redoubled. A third valet came up to a third stranger, saying: "Sire, believe me, your Majesty ought not to stay here any longer. I am going to get everything ready." And immediately he disappeared. Candide and Martin did not doubt that this was a masquerade of the Carnival. Then a fourth domestic said to a fourth master: "Your Majesty may depart when you please." Saying this he went away like the rest. The fifth valet said the same thing to the fifth master. But the sixth valet spoke differently to the sixth stranger, who sat near Candide. He said to him: "Faith, Sire, they will no longer give credit to your Majesty nor to me, and we may perhaps both of us be put in jail this very night. Therefore I will take care of myself. Adieu." The servants being all gone, the six strangers, with Candide and Martin, remained in a profound...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Fallen Crowns - Why Status is Always Temporary
The illusion that external validation and titles create permanent identity, when all status is actually borrowed and temporary.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when authority is real versus borrowed, and how quickly power structures can shift.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone's confidence comes from their title versus their actual abilities—and observe how differently they handle challenges.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Dethroned monarchy
Kings or rulers who have lost their power and position, usually through war, revolution, or political upheaval. In this chapter, six former rulers gather at a dinner table, each having fallen from absolute power to ordinary circumstances.
Modern Usage:
We see this pattern when CEOs get fired and end up working regular jobs, or when celebrities lose their fame and fortune.
Political satire
Using humor and exaggeration to criticize political systems and show their flaws. Voltaire creates an absurd situation where six dethroned kings happen to meet at one dinner to mock how unstable political power really is.
Modern Usage:
Shows like Saturday Night Live or The Daily Show use political satire to point out problems with current politicians and government.
Fortune's wheel
The ancient idea that luck and circumstances constantly change, bringing people up and down unpredictably. The fallen kings represent how quickly someone can go from the top to the bottom of society.
Modern Usage:
We see this when lottery winners go broke, or when successful people lose everything in a market crash.
Carnival season
A time of celebration and masquerade before Lent, when normal social rules are temporarily suspended. The setting allows for this surreal gathering where former royalty mixes with common travelers.
Modern Usage:
Like Halloween or Vegas, where people can be someone different and unusual encounters happen more easily.
Exile
Being forced to leave your homeland and live somewhere else, usually for political reasons. Several of the kings in this chapter are living in exile, cut off from their former kingdoms.
Modern Usage:
Happens to whistleblowers, political refugees, or anyone who has to leave their community because they spoke out or were on the wrong side.
Stoic resignation
Accepting misfortune with dignity and calm, without bitterness or complaint. The fallen kings tell their stories matter-of-factly, having learned to accept their changed circumstances.
Modern Usage:
Like people who lose their jobs or homes but keep their heads up and help others in similar situations.
Characters in This Chapter
Candide
Protagonist
Still wealthy and generous, he's shocked to find Cacambo as a slave but immediately focuses on reaching Cunegonde. His ability to casually give away valuable diamonds shows how random wealth distribution can be.
Modern Equivalent:
The lottery winner who still cares more about finding their lost love than their money
Cacambo
Loyal servant/messenger
Now enslaved but still devoted to helping Candide, he brings news of Cunegonde's location while serving the fallen kings. Shows how even good people can end up in terrible circumstances.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who loses their job but still tries to help you out while working minimum wage
Martin
Cynical companion
Watches the surreal dinner unfold with complete detachment, unsurprised by the absurdity of finding six dethroned kings at one table. His pessimistic worldview seems validated by these examples of fallen greatness.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who's seen so much workplace drama that nothing surprises them anymore
The Six Dethroned Kings
Fallen rulers
Each represents a different way that power can be lost - through war, family betrayal, or political change. Despite their losses, they maintain dignity and help each other, showing humanity beneath royal titles.
Modern Equivalent:
Former executives at the unemployment office, sharing stories and supporting each other
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Cunegonde is not here, she is at Constantinople."
Context: When Candide desperately asks about his beloved after their surprise reunion
This simple statement redirects the entire story toward a new destination and shows how love drives Candide's journey more than any philosophy. Even as a slave, Cacambo remains loyal and helpful to his former master.
In Today's Words:
She's not here, she's on the other side of the world.
"I am a slave, my master awaits me, I must serve him at table."
Context: Explaining why he can't talk freely with Candide during their reunion
Shows how quickly circumstances can change anyone's status. The faithful Cacambo, once free, now must serve others but hasn't lost his essential goodness or loyalty.
In Today's Words:
I'm stuck in this job, my boss is waiting, I have to get back to work.
"We are not the only ones who have met with misfortunes."
Context: When the fallen rulers realize they share similar fates
Acknowledges that suffering and loss are universal experiences, not unique to any individual. This wisdom comes from having lost everything and gained perspective on what really matters.
In Today's Words:
We're not the only ones who've had bad luck.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Six dethroned monarchs reveal how quickly the highest social positions can disappear, yet they maintain dignity through mutual support
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters showing rigid class barriers to now revealing how fluid and unstable those barriers actually are
In Your Life:
You might see this when layoffs hit management just as hard as workers, or when the 'successful' neighbor suddenly faces foreclosure.
Identity
In This Chapter
Former rulers struggle with who they are when stripped of titles and power, some adapting better than others
Development
Builds on Candide's own identity crisis from losing his castle life, now showing how this affects people at every level
In Your Life:
You experience this when your job title changes, your kids move out, or any role that defined you suddenly ends.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The absurdity of six kings at one table shows how meaningless social hierarchies become when circumstances change
Development
Continues theme from earlier chapters about arbitrary social rules, now showing their ultimate fragility
In Your Life:
You see this when former bosses become your peers, or when economic changes level the playing field unexpectedly.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The fallen kings show genuine kindness to each other, bonding over shared loss rather than competing
Development
Develops from earlier chapters showing fake relationships based on status to real connections based on shared humanity
In Your Life:
You find this when crisis reveals who your real friends are—often not the ones you expected.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Those who accept their fall with grace fare better than those still clinging to past glory
Development
Continues Candide's learning journey, showing different models of how people adapt to major life changes
In Your Life:
You face this choice whenever you experience a major setback—whether to fight reality or adapt to new circumstances.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What's shocking about the dinner guests Candide meets, and how do they each handle their fall from power?
analysis • surface - 2
Why do you think Voltaire chose to put six dethroned kings at one dinner table? What point is he making about power and status?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today whose identity is completely tied to their job title, position, or status? What happens when they lose it?
application • medium - 4
If you suddenly lost your current role or status tomorrow, what parts of yourself would remain unchanged? How could you build more of those transferable strengths?
application • deep - 5
What does this dinner scene reveal about the difference between borrowed power and personal worth?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Status Inventory Check
Make two lists: one of all the titles, roles, and positions that currently define you (job title, parent, homeowner, team captain, etc.), and another of the skills, values, and qualities you'd still have if all those external labels disappeared tomorrow. Compare the lists and identify which column feels more substantial to you right now.
Consider:
- •Notice which list was easier to write - external labels or internal qualities
- •Consider how much of your daily confidence comes from each column
- •Think about whether you're building more external status or internal strength
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you lost a role or status that mattered to you. How did it feel, and what did you discover about yourself in the process? What would you do differently now to prepare for such transitions?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 27: Reunion on the Galley
The coming pages reveal loyalty and commitment matter more than circumstances, and teach us coincidences often reveal deeper patterns in life. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.