Essay Genre and Montaigne's Essays

Originating in the cultural accumulation of antiquity, the essay is a literary genre that found its own form in the Middle Ages. Montaigne's Essays written in the 16th century are considered the prototype of the genre. From past to present, the essay has always been a genre that emphasizes the individual and the sense of self. In this respect, it has an important place in modern literature that puts the individual at the center. The personal opinion, feeling and interpretation observed in Montaigne's work is the key to the relationship of the essay with other literary genres. This article will briefly touch upon the history and general characteristics of the essay. Then, the nature and theme of Montaigne’s book will be shed light on. The conclusions reached as a result of the review are that the essay is a functional and actual literary genre; Montaigne, on the other hand, presents a subjective text that reflects the characteristics of the genre. With the aspects expressed, the Essays are now part of the Western canon. Montaigne's work is important as it is a founding text and exhibits the dominant characteristics of the genre. On the other hand, the Essays are one of the most widely known and read works of all times. Considering that the work has a history of more than four centuries, it can be predicted that it will continue to nourish art for generations as a universal cultural heritage with its literary values.