Final answer:
Cunegonde sees Pangloss with a maid in a romantic encounter in Voltaire's 'Candide', which is a satirical element that criticizes philosophical optimism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cunegonde witnesses Pangloss and a wench engaging in a romantic encounter. This moment occurs in Voltaire's satirical novel, Candide, where the character Cunegonde observes Dr. Pangloss, a philosopher and her tutor, involved in an intimate act with a maid. The incident serves as a critical point in the story, highlighting themes of hypocrisy and the mockery of philosophical optimism.