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Both the titles of Commander and Baron refer to Cunégonde’s brother, a man who, despite his apparent deaths, resurfaces throughout the narrative numerous times. Described as “a very handsome young man” with a “bold air,” the Baron first appears as a Jesuit priest in Paraguay after having seemingly died alongside the rest of his family in Westphalia. The choice to establish his identity as a religious figure before he even begins to speak to Candide allows Voltaire to invite the reader to view him with the same critical eye as those taking part in the Inquisition. Once he and Candide reunite, the flaws in his character emerge rather quickly. He is beyond thrilled that Candide and Cunégonde are alive, but as soon as the question of their marriage arrives, he becomes extremely antagonistic. Citing Cunégonde’s aristocratic heritage, the Baron vehemently rejects the idea that a man of Candide’s background is worthy of her, despite the fact that he was initially so relieved to see him. This quick and extreme shift in tone highlights the absurdity of aristocratic values. The Baron comes across as overly-protective and snobbish about a lineage that, in their current situation, has very little weight.
The Baron’s later appearances in the novella work to reinforce the ridiculous nature of his character. His second miraculous return from death, which occurs after Candide stabs him, suggests that the negative traits he embodies are incredibly difficult to eliminate. Even in the grim setting of a Turkish galley, the Baron continues to emphasize the importance of his family’s aristocratic heritage. His enslavement renders this status completely irrelevant, and yet he still refuses to allow Candide to marry Cunégonde. In addition to emphasizing his critique of the aristocracy, Voltaire also expands his rebuke of religious figures through the story of the Baron’s imprisonment. He reveals to Candide that he was caught bathing alongside a Muslim man and subsequently punished. Between this anecdote and his displays of affection, the Baron seems to have homosexual tendencies. Attributing this characteristic to a priest gives Voltaire yet another way to call out the hypocrisy of the clergy. In the end, Candide and his friends decide to send the Baron back to the galley as punishment for his unyielding ways.
