The iron of the Princes of Cleves
The Princes of Cleves marries her husband mainly to keep her dignity and retain her respect in society. Ironically, there is no love involved, and this later brings problems in the marriage. For instance, The Princes of Cleves starts feeling attracted to the Duke of Nemours. Lastly, the Princess confesses to her husband that she is sexually attracted to another man.
The Duke of Nevers
The Duke of Nevers is reluctant, and he discourages his son from marrying Mademoiselle de Chartres because he thinks that she does not meet the requirements to be a princess. Madame de Chartres, Mademoiselle's mother, is hurt when she realizes that the Duke of Nevers has a contrary opinion. Satirically, the Duke dies, and at last, the Prince of Cleves marries Mademoiselle making her the respectable Princess of Cleves.
The Duke of Nemours
The Duke of Nemours is set to England to seek for the Queen's hand in marriage. Before setting the journey, the Duke of Nemours sends his people to go first and assess the Queen's mood. When assured that the Queen is in good moods, The Duke of Nemours starts his journey. Sardonically, after arriving in England, the Duke first meets the Princess of Cleves and falls in love with her instantly! The Duke of Nemours forgets his mission of seeking the Queen's hand for marriage and decides to chase his true found love.
Madame de Chartres
Madame de Chartres realizes that her daughter is falling in love with the Duke of Nemours, which might ruin her reputation. Madame makes up her mind to create a false story about the Duke of Nemours. Madame tells her daughter that the Duke of Nemours is a womanizer and has many women on queue. Therefore, she urges her daughter to retrain herself from the Duke of Nemours’ romantic movements. The reader finds it ironic that a mother can create stories to prevent her daughter from finding her true love.
Stealing of the miniature portrait
When the Duke of Nemours suspects that the Princess of Cleves is not recognizing his romantic escapades, he decides to steal the Princes of Cleves' miniature portrait to symbolize his love for her. Ironically, the Princess of Cleves sees the Duke of Nemours steal her portrait, but she keeps salient not to attract public attention. The reader realizes that the Princess of Cleves is living in denial because she is suffering in silence, and she is dying to be married by the Duke of Nemours.
