Le héros de toutes les saisons. Herrscherlob und politische Reflexionen in Madeleine de Scudérys Roman „La Promenade de Versailles“ (1669)

Abstract

Summary Le heros de toutes les saisons. Praise of the Monarch and Political Reflexions in Madeleine de Scudery’s Novel „La Promenade de Versailles“ (1669) Hitherto, historians have hardly ever dealt with Mlle de Scudery’s writings and their significance for the royal propaganda policy, especially in the 1660’s. Using the example of her novel „La Promenade de Versailles“ the article provides the first detailed discussion of Mlle de Scudery’s political reflections and beliefs as well as her encomia of the monarchy and the sovereign. First, the article shows how the book has to be interpreted in light of the historical and literary background of the time and how it corresponds to the complete works of Mlle de Scudery. Then, concrete political respectively monarchal aspects of the novel are analysed as well as the way in which Louis XIV is presented. Consequently, it can be shown that, in literary terms, „La Promenade de Versailles“ is not only a unique and successful synthesis of aesthetic, gallant and polit...