The Princess of Cleves

by Madame De La Fayette

1988 · New Directions Publishing

Perhaps one of the greatest works of French literature is Madame de Lafayette's The Princess of Clèves, often described as the first of all "modern" novels. This classic translation, with an introduction, by the late English novelist and biographer Nancy Mitford, was first brought out in 1951 by New Directions. It is now available as a New Directions Paperbook. Published in 1678 and written by Marie Madeleine Roche de la Vergne, Countess de Lafayette--a Parisian lady of fashion and great wit--it recreates with matchless vitality the lives and loves of the sixteenth-century courtiers of King Henry II of France. In her exquisite tapestry, we encounter such historic figures as Diane de Poitiers, the kings mistress; Catherine de Médicis, his queen; the doomed Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland. It tells the story of the consuming passion of the young Duc de Nemours for the beautiful wife of his friend the Prince of Clèves. Madame de Sévigne, the great letter writer and life-long friend of Madame de Lafayette, called The Princess of Clèves "one of the most charming things." It is still that--and it is also one of the truly great love stories of all literature.

The Princesse De Cleves

by Madame Lafayette

2004 · Penguin UK

Set towards the end of the reign of Henry II of France, The Princesse de Clèves (1678) tells of the unspoken, unrequited love between the fair, noble Mme de Clèves, who is married to a loyal and faithful man, and the Duc de Nemours, a handsome man most female courtiers find irresistible. Warned by her mother against admitting her passion, Mme de Clèves hides her feelings from her fellow courtiers, until she finally confesses to her husband - an act that brings tragic consequences for all. Described as France's first modern novel, The Princesse de Clèves is an exquisite and profound analysis of the human heart, and a moving depiction of the inseparability of love and anguish.

Bibliolycée - La Princesse de Clèves, Madame de la Fayette

by Véronique Brémond, Madame de La Fayette

2008 · Hachette Éducation

Belle héroïne de 16 ans, Mademoiselle de Chartres épouse le prince de Clèves qu’elle estime mais n’aime pas. Peu après, lors d’un bal, la jeune femme découvre la passion amoureuse sous les traits du duc de Nemours. Dès lors, comment vivre cet amour interdit dans le monde de la Cour, où chacun est constamment sous le regard de tous ? Et, plus que tout, comment rester fidèle à son image ou à celle que l’on se fait de l’amour ? Le roman de Mme de Lafayette est un des plus tragiques de la littérature française. Modèle fondateur du « roman d’analyse », La Princesse de Clèves reste par-dessus tout une œuvre fascinante, d’une étonnante modernité. L'ouvrage contient : Le texte intégral annoté Un questionnaire bilan de première lecture Des questionnaires d’analyse de l’œuvre Quatre corpus accompagnés de questions d’observation, de travaux d’écriture et de lectures d’images Une présentation de Mme de Lafayette et de son époque Un aperçu du genre de l’œuvre et de sa place dans l’histoire littéraire