La Fayette, Madame de (1634-1693), was a French novelist. The Princess of Cleves (1678), her masterpiece, has been called the first French psychological novel. The book is noted for its sober style and simple structure. Set in the 1500’s, it is the story of a princess who is secretly in love with the Duke of Nemours, a dashing nobleman at the court of Henry II. The princess confides her secret to her adoring husband, who dies of a broken heart. She refuses to marry Nemours because she believes he is incapable of remaining faithful to her. In addition, she feels guilty about indirectly causing her husband’s death, and she values emotional tranquillity. Madame de La Fayette also wrote two other works, The Princess of Montpensier (1662), a novelette; and Zayde (1670), a rambling romantic tale.
Madame de La Fayette was born Marie Madelaine Pioche de La Vergne in Paris in March 1634, and married Francois, Comte de La Fayette. She died on May 25, 1693.
