Opening Lines
The very opening words of the novel are imagery designed to immediately draw the reader into the setting. The challenge is get across to the reader the time and place and what makes it special and the imagery accomplished all.
Grandeur and gallantry never appeared with more lustre in France, than in the last years of Henry the Second's reign. This Prince was amorous and handsome, and though his passion for Diana of Poitiers Duchess of Valentinois, was of above twenty years standing, it was not the less violent, nor did he give less distinguishing proofs of it.
Appearances
Appearances and the fact that they are not to be trusted lie at the heart of the narrative. Imagery is used throughout to convey this in the form of thought and action relative to amorous pursuit.
…he found the Chevalier de Guise was his rival, and the Chevalier knew that the Duke de Nemours was his; Monsieur de Guise was the only man in the Court that had unravelled this affair, his interest having made him more clear-sighted than others; the knowledge they had of each other's sentiments created an opposition between them in everything, which, however, did not break out into an open quarrel; they were always of different parties at the running, at the ring, at tournaments, and all diversions the King delighted in, and their emulation was so great it could not be concealed.
Crazy in Love
Monsieur de Cleves has a wife. You might know her better as the title character of this novel. But the novel is not about how she and he fall in love. It is about the romance of her and another man. Love is crazy. And the imagery throughout the novel penetrating thoughts spoken and unsaid reveal this.
Had you forgot that I was desperately in love with you, and that I was your husband? Either of these two circumstances is enough to hurry a man into extremities; what may they not do both together? Alas! What do they not do? My thoughts are violent and uncertain, and I am not able to control them; I no longer think myself worthy of you, nor do I think you are worthy of me; I adore you, I hate you, I offend you, I ask your pardon, I admire you, I blush for my admiration: in a word, I have nothing of tranquillity or reason left about me…
Mysteries of the Heart
Ultimately, what this novel really seems to be about is the impenetrable mysteries of the human heart. Very early into the proceedings, this theme is put into play with the first use of imagery expanding upon the situation of circumstances in those opening lines. The love of the King for the Duchess becomes itself a kind of persistent imagery commenting upon the central story of romance.
The Duchess of Valentinois made one in all parties of pleasure; and the King was still as passionately fond of her as in the beginning of his love. The Princess of Cleves being at those years, wherein people think a woman is incapable of inciting love after the age of twenty-five, beheld with the utmost astonishment the King's passion for the Duchess, who was a grandmother, and had lately married her granddaughter.
