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What work of writing most directly challenged the theory of the divine right of kings?

User Alese
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One of the most direct challenges to the theory of the divine right of kings in the field of literature and political thought came from the philosopher John Locke, specifically in his influential work "Two Treatises of Government," published in 1689.

In the "Two Treatises of Government," Locke argued against the idea that kings and monarchs had a God-given right to rule with absolute authority. Instead, he asserted that political authority should be based on the consent of the governed and that individuals had natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Locke's ideas laid the foundation for the social contract theory and the concept of limited government, which were instrumental in challenging the divine right of kings and supporting the development of constitutional and representative forms of government.

While Locke's work was primarily a philosophical and political treatise rather than a piece of literature, it had a profound influence on the political discourse of his time and played a significant role in challenging the traditional belief in the divine right of kings. It contributed to the broader intellectual and political movement that led to the development of constitutional monarchies and republican forms of government in the following centuries.

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