Paris Spleen, 1869 Chapter Summary & Analysis - Section 9: A Heroic Death, Counterfeit Money & The Generous Gambler Summary

Section 9: A Heroic Death, Counterfeit Money & The Generous Gambler Summary

In "A Heroic Death", Fancioulle is a jester who is close to the Prince, who was drawn into a conspiracy by a Lord who decided to change the world's scenery by rebellion. The Lord, his fellow conspirators and Fancioulle were all arrested and sentenced to death. So when a rumor began that the Prince may forgive the conspirators, it was placed on the announcement that Fancioulle was to play one of his most famous roles for the court and that the other conspirators were to complete the cast. On that night, Fancioulle played his role so perfectly that he became the embodiment of the character and depicted no measure of his own person. The crowd was so moved that they no longer even thought of the death that was to follow when the Prince whispered to a small page next to him. Moments later, in...
(read more)