Zadig by Voltaire. Short summary

5 seconds

To the clever and honest Zadig, fate presents him with nothing but misery, from betraying his bride to stealing a weapon at a tournament. But a chance meeting with a wise hermit changes everything.

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Zadig, a young Babylonian, rich, well-bred and educated, is about to marry Zemira. On the eve of his wedding, he saves the girl from an attack, but is wounded himself. The groom is informed that the bride did not want a one-eyed husband and has married another. Zadig recovers and marries Azora.

The woman pretends to be virtuous, but her husband discovers her and drives her away. The King, appreciating the young man’s virtues, appoints him Minister. Queen Astarte falls in love with the new courtier. The jealous King plots a murder, and the Minister flees to Egypt. Misfortune follows the fugitive.

The king of Babylon is killed in battle. The contenders for the throne and the queen’s hand must compete in courage and wisdom. Zadig is robbed of his armor and weapons. He meets a hermit, who disguises himself as a messenger from Heaven. The angel assures him that there is no chance, but a test, a reward, a punishment or a message. The young man returns to the contest and wins. He becomes the ruler and husband of Astarte.