What is voltaires relationship with Frederick the great?

Answer 1

The two were close friends for many years but had a rocky and complex relationship in which each would try to trick or manipulate the other.

Frederick first wrote Voltaire (who was nearly 20 years older) a fan-letter in his early twenties, and the two began long-term correspondence ever since. The correspondence was very passionate, intellectual and even flirtatious. Voltaire was happy that there was finally a king who was also a philosopher, and Frederick idolized all things French, particularly Voltaire. He would often send Voltaire his own writings in French for Voltaire to correct.

Later on when Frederick became King of Prussia, Voltaire was invited to Frederick's palace in Potsdam where many philosophers met and spoke freely about religion, politics and other issues. There was apparently a lot of flirtation going on as well, as Frederick was openly gay. Voltaire may have been bisexual, and evidence such as love letters between Voltaire and Frederick suggest the two may have been lovers at one point. Voltaire's mistress was jealous of Frederick as other philosophers staying in Potsdam were jealous of Voltaire, but we will never know.

As for tricking each other, Voltaire went to Potsdam as a spy for the French, and Frederick tried to keep Voltaire trapped in Prussia (and stay as an intellectual amusement in his palace) by sending his gossip about the Bishop of Mirepoix to the Bishop himself and get him banned from returning to Paris. The plan failed and Voltaire was furious. Another thing that angered Voltaire was Frederick's waging war, because he was supposed to be an "enlightened monarch". Frederick, on the other hand, thought Voltaire a scoundrel for other reasons, and Voltaire eventually left Potsdam for good. Years later though, they picked up a relatively friendly correspondence again.