MADAME DE MONTESPAN
by Jean de La Fontaine · from Fables de La Fontaine
Adapted Version
I love to tell stories. My stories are special gifts. They make people happy. They help people think good thoughts. Stories are like magic. They hold your heart. They guide your mind. I think stories are good. They are a big present for all people. A wise person made this art. We thank this wise person.
Hello, Ms. Helper. You are very kind. Please look at my new story. It is a little game for me. I like to play with words. I hope you like my words. Your eyes are very good. You see all good things. I made this story for you. It is a small gift.
Time can break many things. But your help is strong. My story will live a long time. It will not break. Many people will read it. They will know it always. My story will be safe. It will stay new. Your help makes it strong. Thank you for your support. My story will be happy. It will live on.
I want all people to like my story. If you like my story, they will too. You know good stories. You know what is pretty. You know what is nice. Your words are sweet. Your looks are kind. You know all good things. My story needs your smile. It needs your kind heart.
Your name is very special. It is a strong help. Let your name help my story. My story will be safe. It will have a good home. Your name makes it strong. It is like a big shield. My story will not break. It will be protected. Thank you, Ms. Helper.
Please keep my best book safe. It is very dear to me. I hope it gets a new life. It will be new again. Many new friends will read it. They will love the stories. I want it to live on. Your help makes this happen. It will bring joy. My book will be happy. It will feel new.
With your help, my stories will be good. All people will say they are good. They will be worthy stories. The whole world will see them. I am so thankful to you. I want to say thank you very much. You make my stories shine. I am very happy. It is good to share stories. Friends help. Stories make many happy. I am so happy. My stories will make many people smile. Thank you, Ms. Helper!
Original Story
MADAME DE MONTESPAN
L’apologue est un don qui vient des immortels;
Ou, si c’est un présent des hommes,
Quiconque nous l’a fait mérite des autels:
Nous devons, tous tant que nous sommes,
Ériger en divinité
Le sage par qui fut ce bel art inventé.
C’est proprement un charme: il rend l’âme attentive,
Ou plutôt il la tient captive,
Nous attachant à des récits
Qui mènent à son gré les cœurs et les esprits.
O vous qui l’imitez, Olympe, si ma muse
A quelquefois pris place à la table des dieux,
Sur ses dons aujourd’hui daignez porter les yeux;
Favorisez les jeux où mon esprit s’amuse!
Le Temps, qui détruit tout, respectant votre appui,
Me laissera franchir les ans dans cet ouvrage:
Tout auteur qui voudra vivre encore après lui
Doit s’acquérir votre suffrage.
C’est de vous que mes vers attendent tout leur prix:
Il n’est beauté dans nos écrits
Dont vous ne connoissiez jusques aux moindres traces.
Eh! qui connoît que vous les beautés et les grâces!
Paroles et regards, tout est charme dans vous.
Ma muse, en un sujet si doux,
Voudroit s’étendre davantage;
Mais il faut réserver à d’autres cet emploi;
Et d’un plus grand maître[47] que moi
Votre louange est le partage.
Olympe, c’est assez qu’à mon dernier ouvrage
Votre nom serve un jour de rempart et d’abri;
Protégez désormais le livre favori
Par qui j’ose espérer une seconde vie:
Sous vos seuls auspices ces vers
Seront jugés, malgré l’envie,
Dignes des yeux de l’univers.
Je ne mérite pas une faveur si grande;
La fable en son nom la demande:
Vous savez quel crédit ce mensonge a sur nous.
S’il procure à mes vers le bonheur de vous plaire,
Je croirai lui devoir un temple pour salaire:
Mais je ne veux bâtir des temples que pour vous.
I
Story DNA
Moral
The art of storytelling, particularly the fable, is a divine gift that captivates the soul and can achieve immortality through the support of esteemed patrons.
Plot Summary
The narrator begins by praising the divine and captivating nature of the apologue (fable). He then directly addresses Olympe (Madame de Montespan), seeking her patronage for his latest literary work. He expresses his belief that her support will grant his verses immortality and protect them from the ravages of time and envy. Acknowledging her discerning taste and influence, he hopes her name will serve as a shield for his book, through which he aspires to a 'second life', promising to build temples for her if his fables succeed in pleasing her.
Themes
Emotional Arc
admiration to hopeful anticipation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Jean de La Fontaine was a famous French fabulist. Madame de Montespan was a powerful mistress of King Louis XIV, known for her beauty, wit, and patronage of the arts. This 'fable' is actually a dedication or eulogy disguised as an apologue, seeking her favor and protection for his work.
Plot Beats (7)
- The narrator begins by extolling the apologue as a divine gift that captivates the soul and guides hearts and minds.
- He addresses Olympe (Madame de Montespan), inviting her to look upon his current work.
- He expresses his hope that with her support, his work will defy time and achieve lasting fame.
- He states that any author wishing for immortality must secure her approval, as she understands all beauty and grace.
- He acknowledges that her highest praise is for a greater master, but asks her name to serve as a bulwark for his latest work.
- He implores her to protect his favorite book, through which he hopes to gain a 'second life'.
- He concludes by stating that under her patronage, his verses will be judged worthy by the world, and he would build temples for her if his fables succeed in pleasing her.
Characters
Olympe
The story does not provide specific physical descriptions for Olympe, but implies a woman of significant beauty and grace, likely reflecting the aristocratic ideals of 17th-century France. She would be of average height for the period, with a slender and elegant build.
Attire: As a figure of high standing, Olympe would wear luxurious 17th-century French court attire. This would include a richly embroidered silk gown, possibly in vibrant colors like sapphire blue, emerald green, or ruby red, with a fitted bodice, wide sleeves, and a full skirt. Fabrics would be brocade, satin, or velvet, adorned with lace, ribbons, and pearls. She might wear a stomacher and a farthingale or panniers to give the skirt volume.
Wants: To appreciate and support artistic endeavors, and to be recognized for her beauty and discernment.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a susceptibility to flattery, or the burden of high expectations placed upon her as a muse and patron.
She remains a static character, serving as the muse and patron. Her role is to validate the author's work and ensure its lasting legacy.
Gracious, influential, discerning, and inspiring. She is presented as a patron of the arts and a judge of beauty and merit.
The Author
The story provides no physical description of the author, Jean de La Fontaine. Historically, he was a man of average height and build for the 17th century, likely with a somewhat scholarly or contemplative demeanor.
Attire: As a respected poet and member of the French Academy, the author would wear refined 17th-century French attire, though perhaps less ostentatious than court nobility. This would include a dark velvet or wool doublet over a fine linen shirt, breeches, and stockings. He might wear a simple cravat or lace jabot at the neck, and leather shoes with buckles. His clothing would be well-tailored and clean, reflecting his status as a man of letters.
Wants: To achieve immortality for his literary works, to gain the favor and protection of Olympe, and to celebrate the art of the apologue.
Flaw: His reliance on external validation (Olympe's favor) for the perceived worth and longevity of his work.
The author remains a static character within this specific poem, serving as the narrator and dedicant. His arc is implied through his ongoing pursuit of literary immortality.
Humble (in his address to Olympe), ambitious (for his work's legacy), appreciative, and eloquent. He is a master of the apologue and seeks to immortalize his art.
Locations
The Table of the Gods
An ethereal, grand setting where the Muses and deities gather, implying a place of divine inspiration and judgment.
Mood: sacred, inspiring, majestic, timeless
The narrator imagines his muse having a place here, seeking divine favor for his work.