MONTAIGNE - THE SEARCH

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>MONTAIGNE</FONT><BR> THE SCEPTIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Search for Truth</B></FONT><P> Just as the anatomist of the day, Vesalius, stripped bodies bare to reveal the muscles beneath, Montaigne strips bare his soul.<P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>SELF AS SUBJECT</B></FONT><P> <TABLE ALIGN=Left BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=2 CELLPADDING=1> <TR> <TD><IMG ALIGN=Left SRC="1003a.jpg" WIDTH="147" HEIGHT="250" ALT="VESALIUS"></TD> </TR> </TABLE> In 1576, Montaigne ordered a medal to be struck with the inscription "What do I know?". His conclusion - the one thing that he could know for certain was himself. "No man ever came to a project with better knowledge and understanding than I have of this matter." (II.viii) Montaigne's avowed aim is to paint himself, as an artist would paint a portrait. The analogy fails to do justice to the undertaking. The subject here is not static. Problems are raised by man's inconsistent nature, his ability to espouse certain beliefs yet fail to act accordingly. The picture that emerges is often contradictory. But Montaigne felt he could not be both consistent and honest and honesty is his major concern.<BR><BR clear=left> <FONT SIZE=4><B>HONESTY</B></FONT><BR> Emerson describes Montaigne as the "frankest and honestest of all writers". This goes beyond open discussion of subjects uncommon in the times, like sex drives and farting. His Essays are unlike other autobiographies in their lack of self justification. He tries to <B>describe</B> his thoughts and actions rather than analyse them. The very lack of a consistent characterisation creates for us a person, not a character. Moreover, this is a person that readers come to know and admire. <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>