Kings in Exile: Analysis of Major Characters
"Kings in Exile: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the dynamics of a deposed monarchy in Illyria, centering on the lives and relationships of key figures after a revolution. The narrative focuses on Christian II, a foolish and childish king, who is forced into exile in Paris alongside his queen, Frédérique, and their son, Léopold. While Christian indulges in the distractions of Parisian life, Frédérique takes charge of the kingdom's affairs, navigating financial challenges and managing her son’s education. Her emotional bond with the prince’s tutor, Élysée Meraut, becomes strained due to a tragic accident, leading to a poignant reconciliation later. The Duke of Rosen, a loyal former minister, supports the royal family during their exile, despite personal complications arising from Christian's indiscretions. Prince Léopold, depicted as not particularly bright, is caught in the complexities of his royal heritage, while Séphora Lévis and her husband Tom represent the social maneuvering of the era, with their ambitions intertwined with the royal family's fate. The interplay of loyalty, ambition, and personal relationships forms a rich tapestry that captures the challenges faced by the exiled rulers and those around them.
Kings in Exile: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alphonse Daudet
First published: Les Rois en exil, 1879 (English translation, 1880)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Paris
Plot: Political
Time: Nineteenth century
Christian II, a rather foolish, vapid, and childish monarch who rules Illyria until he is deposed after a revolution and forced to flee to Paris with Frédérique, his queen, and Léopold, his son. He spends his exile waiting for his restoration, frequenting Parisian theaters and cafes, and selecting and rejecting mistresses. A faction working for financial gain is at the point of securing his abdication when Frédérique, in a burst of hysterical melodramatics, dissuades him. At last he does abdicate, after an invasion of Illyria launched to restore him fails, in favor of his son, who becomes King Léopold V of Illyria and Dalmatia.
Frédérique (fray-day-REEK), queen of Illyria, who actively runs the affairs of the kingdom during the period of exile. It is she who attends to financial problems, selects a tutor for the prince, and prevents the king's irrational behavior from destroying the royal family. Her platonic affair with her son's tutor, Meraut, is dignified and poignant.
Élysée Meraut (ay-lee-SAY may-ROH), the prince's tutor and a man of good taste and discretion. The warm friendship with the queen that Meraut enjoys is broken when an unfortunate accident occurs while the tutor and the prince are target shooting. The prince loses the sight of one eye, and the queen, holding Meraut responsible for the incident, discharges him. Later, the queen, learning Meraut is dying, visits him, with the prince, in time to reconcile their differences.
The Duke of Rosen, a former Illyrian minister who is deposed by Christian. The duke welcomes the royal family when they arrive in Paris, uses his own funds to see that they want for nothing, and remains loyal to the monarch, even though the duke's daughter-in-law becomes Christian's mistress.
Prince Léopold (lay-oh-POHL), Christian's not particularly intelligent young son, who is Meraut's pupil.
Séphora Lévis (say-foh-RAH lay-VEE), the wife of a commoner. Christian is enamored of her, and she promises to become his mistress if he abdicates. She is never in love with Christian, but his abdication would be financially profitable to her and her husband.
Tom Lévis, Séphora's husband, an impostor who has made a fortune catering to the whims of exiled aristocrats.