Book 1 of Essays: Chapter 1 (Introductory Materials) Summary and Analysis

The edition used to create the book summary is the Standford University Press edition translated by Donald M. Frame and first published in 1943. This is an English edition, but the original was created in French of the 16th century. There are two Introductions to the work, both written by Donald Frame. During the first of these, his primary intention is to introduce Montaigne himself; a brief biography is provided. In the second introduction, there is a greater discussion of the work of translation.

Michel Montaigne was born to a noble family in 1533. He was born into the late Medieval Period, when feudalism dominated Continental European politics. One of the main ways that this appears for the place position of the readers is that given areas were under strange rule. For example...