“These are the times that try men’s souls” is from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, a pamphlet that brought a great impact to the people during the American Revolution. And over here in France, the recent times have indeed tried all men’s souls, and it was all started under Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre could have been taken for any hard-working young man in his earlier days. He devoted his time to his studies and strived to become superior to his peers. Robespierre was a prim and proper man, and not particularly loquacious. But unlike other young men, this one tried to make a difference in our lovely country of France. Immaculate, every hair in place, Robespierre was an outspoken individual, awaiting for the chance to strike for equality. …show more content…
Struck by grief, Robespierre’s father travelled and died later on, leaving robespierre and his siblings to be brought up by his paternal aunts. Robespierre became literate before the age of eight, then attended Lycee Louis-le-Grand on the recommendation of the bishop. He trained there as a lawyer for twelve years, and received awards for many achievements. Robespierre had many influences, but his greatest model was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Robespierre believed in Rousseau’s ideals, and was soon named “the Incorruptible”. He was admitted to the Arras bar, but later resigned due to his beliefs about the death penalty. Robespierre then took part in discussions about the government, election, and politics, soon after becoming a deputy of the Third Estate. It was then that he first started to make his mark on