The Bastille was a fortress-prison in Paris, France that was seen as a symbol of the despotic power of the king. This can be explained in detail as follows:

1. Historical Context: The Bastille was built in the 14th century to defend the eastern entrance of Paris. Over time, it became a prison where people were held without trial or legal representation. The prisoners of the Bastille were mostly political dissidents, writers, and other intellectuals who opposed the king's absolute power.

2. The French Revolution: The Bastille became a symbol of the king's tyranny and oppression during the French Revolution. On July 14, 1789, a group of revolutionaries stormed the Bastille and released the prisoners. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the end of the Bourbon monarchy.

3. The Despotic Power of the King: The Bastille was a symbol of the king's absolute power over the people of France. The king had the power to imprison anyone who opposed him without a trial or legal representation. This was seen as a violation of the people's rights and freedoms.

4. The Revolutionaries' Message: The revolutionaries who stormed the Bastille wanted to send a message to the king that his despotic power would no longer be tolerated. They believed in the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity and wanted to establish a democratic government that was accountable to the people.

In conclusion, the Bastille symbolized the despotic power of the king because it was a symbol of his absolute power to imprison anyone who opposed him without a trial or legal representation. The storming of the Bastille was a turning point in the French Revolution and marked the end of the Bourbon monarchy.