Essai

Les inquiétudes de l’amour dans Mathilde (1667) de Madeleine de Scudéry

Florence Brassard

The heroine of Madeleine de Scudéry’s historical nouvelle Mathilde (1667) cherishes tranquility, which she has learned to consider as consubstantial with moral, legal, and political freedom. Throughout the work, the various anxieties aroused by love in this character challenge this assumption: first, the psychological anxiety of falling prey to a passion stronger than her will; second, the tender concern that characterizes and nurtures a respectful love; third, the insecurity caused by the continual persecution of powerful lovers, who could use their political power to subject her to their desires....