"The Devils of Loudun" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "The Devils of Loudun" by Aldous Huxley, the characters play various roles that contribute to the overall plot and themes of the book. The main characters include Urbain Grandier, a priest, Jeanne des Anges, a possessed nun, Cardinal Richelieu, the powerful Cardinal of France, Father Barre, an exorcist, Louis XIII, the King of France, and Madeleine de Brou, the wife of the mayor.

Character Descriptions

Urbain Grandier

Urbain Grandier is a charismatic and ambitious priest who becomes the central figure of the book. He is described as handsome and intelligent, with a magnetic personality that attracts both men and women. Grandier is well-respected in the town of Loudun and is known for his skillful oratory. However, his flaws include pride and a tendency to indulge in worldly pleasures.

Jeanne des Anges

Jeanne des Anges is a young nun who becomes possessed by demons. She is depicted as innocent and vulnerable, initially seeking spiritual guidance and purity. However, as the possession intensifies, Jeanne's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disturbing. She experiences fits of violence and engages in self-harm, leading to concern and fear among the other nuns.

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu is a powerful and influential figure in France. He is depicted as cunning and manipulative, using his position to further his political agenda. Richelieu sees an opportunity to eliminate Urbain Grandier and uses the possession of the nuns as a means to achieve his goal. He represents the corruption and abuse of power within the Catholic Church during this period.

Father Barre

Father Barre is an exorcist who is called upon to help with the possessed nuns. He is portrayed as a devout and dedicated priest, committed to his role in combating demonic forces. Barre is initially skeptical of the possessions but gradually becomes more convinced of their authenticity. He plays a crucial role in the exorcism rituals and attempts to save the nuns from their torment.

Louis XIII

Louis XIII is the King of France during the time of the events in the book. He is portrayed as a weak and easily influenced ruler, heavily reliant on Cardinal Richelieu for guidance. Louis XIII is indifferent to the plight of the nuns and allows the events in Loudun to unfold without intervention, highlighting his lack of leadership and empathy.

Madeleine de Brou

Madeleine de Brou is the wife of the mayor of Loudun. She is depicted as a strong and intelligent woman who is initially attracted to Urbain Grandier. However, as the possession of the nuns becomes more intense, Madeleine becomes consumed by jealousy and seeks revenge against Grandier. She represents the destructive power of unrequited love and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their reputation.

Character Traits

Urbain Grandier

• Charismatic
• Ambitious
• Prideful
• Charismatic
• Intelligent

Jeanne des Anges

• Innocent
• Vulnerable
• Disturbed
• Erratic
• Violent

Cardinal Richelieu

• Cunning
• Manipulative
• Powerful
• Calculating
• Opportunistic

Father Barre

• Devout
• Dedicated
• Skeptical
• Convinced
• Compassionate

Louis XIII

• Weak
• Indifferent
• Easily influenced
• Lack of leadership
• Empathy

Madeleine de Brou

• Strong
• Intelligent
• Jealous
• Vengeful
• Protective

Character Background

Urbain Grandier

Urbain Grandier comes from a humble background but rises to become a respected and influential priest in the town of Loudun. He is known for his eloquent sermons and ability to captivate his audience. However, Grandier's reputation is tarnished by his relationships with women and his refusal to conform to the strict rules of celibacy. This leads to jealousy and resentment among his peers.

Jeanne des Anges

Jeanne des Anges enters the convent at a young age, seeking solace and spiritual fulfillment. However, her isolation and strict religious practices contribute to her vulnerability. Jeanne's possession is believed to be a result of her repressed desires and the oppressive environment of the convent.

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu is a powerful figure in the Catholic Church and the political landscape of France. He sees an opportunity to consolidate his power by eliminating Grandier, who is seen as a threat to his influence. Richelieu uses the possession of the nuns as a means to discredit Grandier and gain control over the town of Loudun.

Father Barre

Father Barre is a devout priest who believes in the existence of demonic forces and the power of exorcism. He is initially skeptical of the possessions but becomes convinced of their authenticity as he witnesses the disturbing behavior of the nuns. Father Barre is dedicated to saving the nuns from their torment and restoring order to the convent.

Louis XIII

Louis XIII is a weak and easily swayed ruler who relies heavily on Cardinal Richelieu for guidance. He is indifferent to the suffering of the nuns and allows the events in Loudun to unfold without intervention. Louis XIII represents the lack of leadership and compassion in the monarchy during this period.

Madeleine de Brou

Madeleine de Brou is a strong and intelligent woman who is initially attracted to Urbain Grandier. However, her love turns into jealousy and resentment as she learns about his relationships with other women. Madeleine becomes consumed by revenge and seeks to destroy Grandier's reputation, ultimately playing a significant role in his downfall.

Character Arcs

Urbain Grandier

Urbain Grandier starts as a charismatic and ambitious priest who uses his charm and intelligence to rise to prominence in Loudun. However, his pride and indulgence in worldly pleasures lead to his downfall. Throughout the book, Grandier's character arc showcases the consequences of unchecked ambition and the corrupting influence of power.

Jeanne des Anges

Jeanne des Anges begins as an innocent and devout nun seeking spiritual fulfillment. Her possession by demons leads to a drastic change in her behavior, with fits of violence and self-harm. As the possession intensifies, Jeanne becomes a symbol of the destructive power of religious fanaticism and the suppression of natural desires.

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu starts as a powerful and influential figure using his position to further his political agenda. He manipulates the possession of the nuns to eliminate Grandier and gain control over the town of Loudun. Richelieu's character arc highlights the abuse of power within the Catholic Church and the lengths to which people will go to protect their interests.

Father Barre

Father Barre begins as a skeptical priest who questions the authenticity of the possessions. However, as he witnesses the disturbing behavior of the nuns, he becomes convinced of their demonic influence. Father Barre's character arc showcases his transformation from skepticism to dedication, as he works tirelessly to save the nuns from their torment.

Louis XIII

Louis XIII remains a weak and indifferent ruler throughout the book, allowing the events in Loudun to unfold without intervention. His lack of leadership and empathy contribute to the chaos and tragedy that ensues. Louis XIII's character arc highlights the consequences of a lack of effective leadership and the detrimental impact it can have on society.

Madeleine de Brou

Madeleine de Brou begins as a woman attracted to Urbain Grandier and willing to defend him. However, her love turns into jealousy and vengeance as she discovers his infidelities. Madeleine becomes consumed by her desire for revenge and plays a significant role in Grandier's downfall. Her character arc explores the destructive power of unrequited love and the lengths people will go to protect their reputation.

Relationships

The relationships between the characters in "The Devils of Loudun" are complex and contribute to the unfolding events. Some notable relationships include:

• Urbain Grandier and Madeleine de Brou: Urbain and Madeleine share a passionate but tumultuous relationship. Madeleine's jealousy and desire for revenge against Grandier drive her actions throughout the book.
• Urbain Grandier and Jeanne des Anges: Urbain and Jeanne's relationship is initially one of spiritual guidance and support. However, as Jeanne becomes possessed, her feelings towards Grandier become distorted, leading to violence and chaos.
• Urbain Grandier and Cardinal Richelieu: Cardinal Richelieu sees Grandier as a threat to his power and manipulates the possession of the nuns to eliminate him. Their relationship represents the struggle for power and control within the Catholic Church.
• Father Barre and the Possessed Nuns: Father Barre's relationship with the possessed nuns is one of compassion and dedication. He works tirelessly to save them from their torment, performing exorcisms and providing spiritual guidance.
• Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu: Louis XIII relies heavily on Cardinal Richelieu for guidance and is easily swayed by his influence. Their relationship highlights the power dynamics within the monarchy and the manipulation of political forces.

The relationships in "The Devils of Loudun" underscore the themes of power, corruption, and the destructive nature of unchecked desires.