Monsieur Beaucaire: Analysis of Major Characters
"Monsieur Beaucaire" is a narrative revolving around the adventures of Louis-Philippe de Valois, the Duke of Orleans, who adopts the persona of Victor the Barber and later, Monsieur Beaucaire, as he navigates the high society of Bath, England. The main character, Beaucaire, engages in a cunning act of blackmail against the Duke of Winterset, using his knowledge of Winterset’s card cheating to gain entry into elite circles. As he disguises himself as the Duke of Chateaurien, he impresses prominent nobility, including Lady Mary Carlisle, while simultaneously facing challenges that test his skills in fencing and dueling.
The narrative includes a range of supporting characters, such as Lady Mary, who is attracted to Beaucaire until his true identity as a barber is revealed, and Mr. Molyneux, who remains loyal despite the chaos surrounding Beaucaire. The Duke of Winterset, while attempting to sabotage Beaucaire's reputation, ultimately ends up revealing his own dishonor. Other figures like Beau Nash, the social leader of Bath, and the Marquis de Mirepoix, the French ambassador, play crucial roles in the unfolding drama, particularly as the story culminates in Beaucaire's revelation of his true identity and the circumstances that led him to flee to England. This tale explores themes of identity, societal status, and the complexities of personal honor within the backdrop of 18th-century French aristocracy.
Monsieur Beaucaire: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Booth Tarkington
First published: 1900
Genre: Novel
Locale: Bath, England
Plot: Farce
Time: Early eighteenth century
Louis-Phillipe de Valois (lwee fee-LEEP deh vahl-WAH), the twenty-three-year-old Duke of Orleans and cousin of King Louis XV of France, who masquerades as Victor the Barber, Monsieur Beaucaire (boh-KEHR), and the Duke of Chateaurien (shah-TOH-ryahn). In the guise of Monsieur Beaucaire, he catches the Duke of Winterset cheating at cards and blackmails Winterset into introducing him into Bath society, promising not to reveal the duke's cheating in exchange. The duke says that everyone knows that Beaucaire arrived in England as Victor, the barber of the French ambassador, the Marquis de Mirepoix. Beaucaire says that even if that information is well known, he has a reputation in Paris, and Winterset would not be allowed to play cards when he visits there if Beaucaire spreads the knowledge that he is a cheat. Furthermore, Beaucaire has played cards with many of the men of Bath society, and if they find out that Winterset is a cheat, they might harm him physically. Previously, Beaucaire had been removed from the company of Beau Nash because he was not of nobility, but he promises to change his appearance so that no one will recognize him. He takes on the persona of the Duke of Chateaurien (translatable as “Castle Nowhere”). He makes a favorable impression on the nobles and on Lady Mary Carlisle, to whom he takes a fancy. His reputation is twice challenged, and he twice defeats his challengers in fencing duels. He defends himself valiantly when attacked by Winterset's men, but in the aftermath of the attack, his identity as the ambassador's barber is revealed. He is told to leave Bath the next day, but he promises to see the nobles at a party held by Beau Nash the next week. Although Nash has guards posted, Chateaurien is able to sneak into the party with the aid of Mr. Molyneux, to whom he has revealed his true identity. At the party, he identifies himself as Louis-Phillipe de Valois, the Duke of Orleans, and explains that he had to enter the country under a false identity because he was fleeing an arranged marriage and had been threatened with confinement. He denounces Winterset as a cheat and announces that he will return to France and his arranged marriage, stating that the king must know what is best for him.
The Duke of Winterset, a noble whom Beaucaire blackmails so that Winterset will present him to Bath society. Once Beaucaire becomes popular as Chateaurien, Winterset contrives to ruin his reputation. He arranges for an attack by masked horsemen, who shout “Kill the barber!” He explains to other nobles that he arranged the attack as a way of avenging the outrage of having introduced Beaucaire to Bath society; he says he was duped by Beaucaire. He wins new respect for his honor in avenging his error. At Nash's party, he foolishly absolves Beaucaire of his promise to keep silent, thinking that no one will believe Beaucaire's story that Winterset cheats at cards.
Lady Mary Carlisle, who is known as the Beauty of Bath. She is taken with Chateaurien when he is presented to her at a ball, and he becomes her favorite among her several suitors. She is impressed by his actions in the attack by Winterset's men, but she scorns him when he admits having come to England as a barber.
Mr. Molyneux (moh-lee-NEW), who acts as Chateaurien's second in Chateaurien's second duel. Chateaurien learns to trust him when he continues to speak to Chateaurien as an equal after the attack by the masked horsemen.
Hugh Guilford, Lord Townbrake, a suitor of Lady Mary Carlisle. He refuses to help Chateaurien during the attack by Winterset's men.
Squire Bantison, another suitor of Lady Mary Carlisle who also fails to aid Chateaurien in the attack.
Beau Nash, known as the King of Bath, a leader of society. He threw Beaucaire out of one of his gatherings and is the host when his identity as the Duke of Orleans is revealed.
The Marquis de Mirepoix (meer-PWAH), the ambassador to England from France. He arrives at Nash's party and vouches for the identity of the Duke of Orleans.
The comte de Beaujolais (boh-zhoh-LEH), the brother of the Duke of Orleans, who also vouches for his identity. He has come to England to escort Valois back to France for his marriage.