Montaigne and the Quality of Mercy

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David Quint offers a fresh interpretation of Montaigne's Essais, highlighting the Renaissance writer's dual role as a literary figure and a political thinker. Set against the backdrop of the violent French Wars of Religion, the essays delve into themes of conflict and reconciliation, particularly through the lens of the famous essay on Brazilian cannibals. Quint emphasizes Montaigne's advocacy for trust, submission, and mercy amidst a climate of hatred, arguing for both the political necessity and moral imperative of these values in civil discourse.