Marat was a deity of the revolution to the French people. They viewed his death as a sacrifice, and a personal attack. They used his name, and their ideas about him, to show the beauty of the revolution. In a famous painting by David, we see a pure and lovely man, slain in his bathtub, surrounded by papers for the revolution he was working on. They romanticized him and his death, in order to reach the common masses and inspire change. Marat was neither beautiful nor pure. His skin was not clear and rosy, he had a skin condition that left him red and dry. He was not all kind and sweet, many of his methods of writing are considered terroristic by many. This blatant omission of flaws worked perfectly. He led the Revolution from six feet under.

Personally, Marat is one of my favorite figures in French history. His past is fascinating and his role in the revolution is monumental. He wasn’t even alive for most of it, yet he still managed to be one of the main driving forces of the revolution. Marat’s wildly radical thinking and eloquence easily propelled him to the forefront of the influential radicals of the time. Even though he was denied a lot of educational opportunities, he was able to become a very well versed and intelligent person. His words were poetic and well thought out, yet his methods of persuasion were almost terroristic. He was easily able to spark fear and motivation in people with his papers. His controversial and strongly worded articles made him popular with many. However, for as many friends as he had, he had enemies. One of which actually did kill him.

Marat may have been popular before his death, but after his death he was arguably more influential than he ever had been when he was alive. The French people made him a martyr, even comparing him to jesus. The French people’s outrage over his death really spurred the revolution into full force. People painted him as beautiful, untouched by the cold nature of life in France at the time. They omitted all of his physical and mental issues in order to idolize him. The people were very good at controlling propaganda during this time and the French people’s romanticization of his life and especially his death were easily some of the best working bits of propaganda. 

Marat’s death was utilized by the revolution in order to inspire people. His popularity allowed him to live forever, and end the monarchy. His methods of writing were forceful, but they did the job. He was essential in making a bridge between the sans culottes and the common people. Terrorist or martyr? Marat was both.