The Princesse de Clèves (The Princess of Cleves)

The Princesse de Clèves begins with a flattering portrait of Henry II, who historically ruled France from 1547 until his death in 1559. The action of the book is set very late in the king’s reign. From her perspective in 1678, over a century later, Lafayette writes: “The monarch was courteous, handsome and fervent in love. […] Since he excelled at every sort of physical exercise, he made that his main occupation” (23).

Lafayette next details the members of Henri’s court, some of whom are important to the novel’s action. She describes the King’s wife, Queen Catherine de Medici, as beautiful but past her prime. The young Mary Stuart, known to history as Mary Queen of Scots (and throughout this novel as the Reine Dauphine), makes an appearance, as do the Duc de Guise and his two sons, one of whom, the Chevalier (or Knight) de Guise, plays a minor role in the narrative. The author also introduces two characters of prime narrative importance. One of these is the Prince de Clèves, who will lend his name to the title character in marriage; another is the superior Duc de Nemours, “nature’s masterpiece,” who will be Clèves’s chief rival for the title character’s affections. A third character, the Vidame de Chartres, plays a less central but still important role. Additionally, the author mentions Diane de Poitiers, known throughout the book as the Duchess de Valentinois. The Duchess was famously the King’s mistress, and the author notes that “she ruled him with an authority so absolute that she might be said to be mistress at once of his person and of the State” (26). All of these names correspond to names recorded in living history.

The author establishes rivalries between the Guises and the other central characters, as well as larger political rivalries between England and France, many of which are mediated by the powerful Duchess. The ritual of marriage is central to both the creation and healing of these rivalries; to this end, the King advises the dashing Duc de Nemours to pursue the hand of Elizabeth I, newly ascended to the English throne. The duke moves to Brussels to draw up his plans.

“There then appeared at court a beauty who attracted every eye; and it must be supposed that she exhibited true perfection, since she inspired awe in a place where people were so much accustomed to the sight of beauty,” Lafayette writes (29). This is Mademoiselle de Chartres, the central character. She is accompanied by Madame Chartres, her widowed mother and chief advisor.

Mme de Chartres draws up ambitious plans to match her daughter in marriage. Mlle de Chartres makes a great impression on the Chevalier de Guise, who is too poor to be considered a good match, and the Prince de Clèves, who is suitable but dull. Mme de Chartres finally settles on a higher-ranking member of the court. However, interference from the Duchess de Valentinois ruins the match. Consequently, Mlle de Chartres’s reputation is slightly spoiled, and the Prince de Clèves, suddenly elevated by the death of the Duc de Nevers, becomes the best possible match, and the marriage is arranged. It is apparent, however, that while the Prince dearly loves Mlle de Chartres, his love is not requited.

The Duc de Nemours returns to court from Brussels and meets Mlle de Chartres the night before she is set to become the Princess de Clèves. Their attraction to one another is plain to see, though not mentioned nor acted upon. Soon after the marriage, M. de Clèves evinces jealousy.

Mme Chartres falls ill and dies. On her deathbed, she warns her daughter against infidelity: “were there a single thing that might disturb the bliss to which I look forward on leaving this world, it would be to see you fall as other women have done” (59).

The princess experiences considerable self-doubt, and she and her husband take to the country. Soon after, her husband returns to Paris for a longer-than-expected stay. When he returns, he announces that he has an incredible story to tell, one that condemns a woman of the court named Mme de Tournon.