Marie Antoinette

Definition

Marie Antoinette was an Austrian-born queen consort of France as wife of Louis XVI. She became a symbol for the excesses of the monarchy and is often credited with exacerbating their unpopularity.

Analogy

Imagine Marie Antoinette as that popular girl at school who always wears expensive clothes and throws lavish parties while everyone else struggles financially. Her extravagant lifestyle amidst widespread poverty made her unpopular among her "classmates" (the French citizens).

Related terms

Guillotine: A machine designed for carrying out executions by beheading; both Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette met their end this way during French revolution.

Versailles Palace: The royal residence where Marie Antoinette lived lavishly while many French citizens were starving.

Diamond Necklace Affair: A scandal involving Marie Antoinette about an expensive diamond necklace she allegedly ordered, which further tarnished her reputation.