cahn | 18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 33

You're viewing

cahn's journal
Create a Dreamwidth Account Learn More

Reload page in style: site light

cahn

And, I mean, it doesn't have to be just 18th century characters, either!

(also, waiting for Yuletide!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

cahn

and I don't think it's a coincidence that she described the Chevalier-less final three years of her marriage as the happiest.

Oof. Well, I guess... I am glad he went away eventually.

Philippe seems to have really liked him, huh, even though no one else seems to have?

From:

selenak

To be fair, everyone agrees he was one of the best looking men of his time, and sexy. He also had lovers other than Philippe. (Who wasn't monogamous, either, but the Chevalier was always his favorite once the affair with de Guiche was over.) But yeah, I haven't come across a memoirist or letter writer of the era with anything good to say about his character.

Lehndorff (pointedly): This sounds familiar. *glares in the direction of all of Heinrich's other lovers*

Mara: I told you one doesn't get anywhere with this prince without being a bastard. Not my fault you didn't listen.

Kalckreuth: I'll have you know I could have had Fritz as a young man, I'm sure of it, and I had a great career in the eras of FW2 and FW3! Not to mention that when Heinrich broke up with me because of goddam Kaphengst, half his court was on my side! I was so liked, too!

Kaphengst: kommt.

Back to the Chevalier, Philippe seems to have loved him for real - as in, great passion of his life, - but whether or not the Chevalier ever saw something in him beyond lots and lots of cash, well, that's debatable. As opposed to Philippe, he had female lovers in addition to male ones, and according to Saint-Simon, he secretly married. Not that being bi would prevent him from loving a man, but he never seems to have given up anything for Philippe, which if he had would have been an indication of love beyond cash. Saint-Simon also says he died of a stroke when excitedly telling ladies about his debaucheries from the previous night, so he definitely went out with a splash!