Crébillon Fils, Forefather of Eighteenth-century Libertine Fiction

Abstract

This article analyzes the evolution of libertine fiction during the18th century in France. To do so, we need to locate the source of those libertinisms that create this narrative genre. In the first part of this study we focus on the sources of the literary movement and its philosophical implications. After that, it will be necessary to analyze the work of three eighteenth-century authors who represent the three moments of libertine fiction: Crébillon fils, Laclos, and Sade. Finally, it seems important to analyze the work of Crébillon fils as the founder of this aesthetic movement that is reinterpreted by several authors.