Actually wasn't Marie Antoinette greatly misunderstood historically? She never actually said that famous cake line and many rumors were made to discredit her before her execution. Rather she was an intelligent woman who tried to show sympathy to the lower class, deeply cared for her family, and was a strong person who involved herself in politics in place of her "weaker" husband (one reason for her demise). She was hated for her husband's exclusivity to her (lacking a mistress who is usually blamed by the populace for any faults so the blame fell on her), her private house which snubbed the French nobility who weren't invited, and for simply being a foreigner. Many rumors and scandals led to her demise as she became a figure that was easy to direct hate on. Truthfully, she was a dignified woman whose last words were “Pardon me, sir, I did not do it on purpose.” after accidentally stepping on the foot of her executioner, the same one that beheaded her husband.
Historical fiction is rather hard to tackle especially because there isn't one factor for the French Revolution and it most definitely was not due to Marie Antoinette alone. How do you solve national bankruptcy? Severe winters, droughts, poor harvest, and famine? The Parlement's opposition to reforms? The rise of the bourgeoisie who wished for political equity with the nobility and the church? The rise of Enlightment ideas which questioned those in power? The extravagent lifestyle the French monarchy are accustomed to? There were political factors, economic ones, and social reasons. I can't begin to imagine how one person would address all these issues even if it is our MC. Rather, the MC holds many traits the actual Marie Antoinette did as well so I do hope this isn't a tragedy.
Actually wasn't Marie Antoinette greatly misunderstood historically? She never actually said that famous cake line and many rumors were made to discredit her before her execution. Rather she was an intelligent woman who tried to show sympathy to the lower class, deeply cared for her family, and was a strong person who involved herself in politics in place of her "weaker" husband (one reason for her demise). She was hated for her husband's exclusivity to her (lacking a mistress who is usually blamed by the populace for any faults so the blame fell on her), her private house which snubbed the French nobility who weren't invited, and for simply being a foreigner. Many rumors and scandals led to her demise as she became a figure that was easy to direct hate on. Truthfully, she was a dignified woman whose last words were “Pardon me, sir, I did not do it on purpose.” after accidentally stepping on the foot of her executioner, the same one that beheaded her husband.
Historical fiction is rather hard to tackle especially because there isn't one factor for the French Revolution and it most definitely was not due to Marie Antoinette alone. How do you solve national bankruptcy? Severe winters, droughts, poor harvest, and famine? The Parlement's opposition to reforms? The rise of the bourgeoisie who wished for political equity with the nobility and the church? The rise of Enlightment ideas which questioned those in power? The extravagent lifestyle the French monarchy are accustomed to? There were political factors, economic ones, and social reasons. I can't begin to imagine how one person would address all these issues even if it is our MC. Rather, the MC holds many traits the actual Marie Antoinette did as well so I do hope this isn't a tragedy.