A Study of French Court Life Under Louis Xiv Essay Example

The English word etiquette actually originates from a French word for ticket. A courtier of Louis XIV, Madame de Maintenon, is recognized as being the first to write using the word étiquette in reference to the formalities and ceremonies required at court in 1719. The French word did not begin to apply to polite behavior in general until 1778. This shows that the association was actually first made in England. How the word changed so much in its definition is not entirely known although there are many theories (Arditi 1-3). Currently, etiquette is used to describe very prim and proper conduct, to be considered polite one must follow the rules of society. Many people nowadays consider these rules overbearing and outdated, indeed these guidelines change with the generations, but even now living a refined life is miles easier then it would have been in France under Louis XIV when the royal court was “the paradigm of elegance and civil behavior, emulated by the other courts of Europe” (“Blakeley Manor”). Traumatized by the Fronde rebellion during his youth, when he was required to flee the palace for his own safety, Louis was the poster king of absolutism summing up his rule in his famous statement, “L'Etat est moi” (I am the State). So as to better control the nobles and aristocrats of the royal court he built the magnificent palace Versailles and required the nobles to spend most of their time there with the threat of punishment. Louis, in his craftiness, made the courtiers compete for his favors which could come in the land, titles, and expensive gifts. Instead of scheming and waging wars the nobles were vying for the honors. “[They] were so busy mastering appropriate court etiquette, and competing for the prestige it gave, that they had no time to plot rebellions” ("Splendors of Versailles"). Life in the court of Louis XIV, like life everywhere, focused on the sun, or in this case, the sun king. He compared himself constantly to the sun and called his throne