Final answer:
Montaigne views the 'cannibals' as living in a natural and virtuous state, contrasting with the corrupt European society, and he appreciates their culture from a relativistic perspective.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the essay 'Of Cannibals', Montaigne expresses an essentially positive opinion of the people referred to in the title. He sees them as living in a state of natural purity and virtue, untouched by the corruption of civilization. Montaigne's perspective contrasts with the negative perceptions common during his time, revealing his ability to appreciate different cultures and practices from a relativistic standpoint. Montaigne casts the so-called 'cannibals' in a noble light, suggesting that their way of life is more honorable and natural than that of Europeans, who he considers to be the true barbarians for their own cruelties and atrocities.