Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna

04/02/2014
8 Comments


Marie Antoinette (1755-1793) the last Queen of France, was born an Archduchess of Austria, the fifteenth
and penultimate child of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa. She became
Dauphine in 1770 and Queen when her husband Louis XVI ascended the throne in 1774. Initially
charmed by her personality and beauty, the French came to dislike her, accusing "L'Autrichienne"
(literally the Austrian [woman] also pronounced as the Austrian bitch) of being profligate, promiscuous
and sympathetic to France's adversaries, particularly her country of origin Austria. She became known
as Madame Dficit because of lavish spending during famines. The French Revolution saw Louis XVI
deposed in 1792, the monarchy abolished and the royal family imprisoned. Eight months after her
husband's execution, Marie Antoinette was convicted of treason and executed by guillotine.

Q: Madame Marie, if this address is okay with you.. .
MA: It is.

Q: The story of your life and death fascinates a good many people even now, nearly two and a
quarter centuries after your execution. I only asked you forward because of this.
MA: I know this and understand your revulsion at the manner of my death. Be not concerned for the
way I was released and returned home. The timeline of Earth allows what is finished to be finished.

Q: The way humans are fascinated with memories
MA: this is a reflection of reality, where all memories and times are able to be recalled and
understood, without the blur of time Earth creates. You all know and remember this, thus memories seem
so precious. They are your substancebut you can finish them, for now. Box them up, store them.

Q: Do you believe the image of lavish spending was accurate?
MA: Yes, royalty has always been this way, through the ages, creation and existence of royalty.

Q: My scant knowledge of the French Revolution tells me a good deal of envy and resentment lead to
the deposition of royalty.
MA: Blame is easy to assign when challenges face humanity.

Q: Was your rise to the throne and your husband's deposition your life plan?
MA: Yes, certainly.

Q: Your execution?
MA: Yes, also. The possibility I would have been spared was available; fervor for revenge and to
sweep away the object of any residual sympathy rose very strong.

Q: The accusations of treason?
MA: I did not have this authority and even by influence of the position, I did not commit any. It did not
matter; resentment and desire to place blame and then punish were strong. A lesson for humanity.

Q: Could you expand on this?
MA: As you have thought often yourself, how is punishment going to correct the event for which it is
given? It is understood it cannot, so the punishment is to create new hurt? New fear? Deterrence?

Q: Capital punishment has always seemed to contain a large revenge component; the victim is
almost always gone.
MA: The crimes for which human society executes can be avoided nearly completely. The solution is
to make all of yourselves belong. The sensations of membership valued remove the emotions which
might eventually create the crimes.

Q: As you were paraded through the streets before execution, what were you thinking?
MA: I was both numb to surroundings and in a way, looking forward to seeing my husband. I prepared
for the day as I dreamed over the several nights before; I had no awareness at the time this had happened.
I only realized it after returning home.

Q: Is this common with a subject of execution? Does it create the stoic indifference and almost
acceptance seen in the condemned?
MA: Yes.

Q: Of what were you most proud as Marie Antoinette?
MA: My children, of course.

Q: What would you have done differently, given the chance?
MA: Nothing; I was given the chance. I planned my life. I lived it nearly as I planned it.

Q: Was the elimination of the monarchy in France part of the trend then to eliminate royal power?
MA: Certainly and a lesson in public policy was contained in the revolution; humanity will only allow
constraint to a certain point.

Q: What observations do you have of the world today, as compared to the events leading to the
revolution in France?
MA: We have seen many examples since then, of power leading to conflict. In many nations, acts have
been carried out by leadership never able to pass muster, as it were, with the citizens of it. Had all
participants and potential victims been asked to consider then vote, none of these occurrences would have
proceeded. I refer to Vietnam and southeast Asia, the Bolshevik Revolution, World Wars I and II, Korea,
Rwanda, Bosnia and many others.

Q: A popular referendum about war?
MA: Yes; I assure none would pass.

Q: We would never see this happen.
MA: When willingness and courage to do it become common, no need will there be.

Q: What message and what advice do you have, not for humanity as I normally ask, but for the
readership of this website, this blog?
MA: Quite a personal question, and I will say this. You who read with regularity what appears here are
seeds. Have you planted yourselves yet?

Q: I've been considered crazy, nuts even and confess I almost enjoy the description.
MA: Concern for being considered crazy is the strongest evidence against the condition.

Q: Madame, merci beaucoup!
MA: Un honneur de visiter; you are welcome.

8 Comments

Comments
sarah 04/02/2014 3:30pm

ohh, thank you Patrick for this post, always love it!

Denis 04/02/2014 6:56pm

Patrick,un bel interview et des questions juste a point. I am reading 2013 posts, so very much aware of these seeds.
Would you and The Commitee like to expand on that notion. Thank you.

The Committee 05/02/2014 1:15pm

"A seed unplanted will not be cultivated. Where do you plant yourselves? Where what you understand, is
never spoken? Who will enjoy what you grow with your thoughts if they are kept inside you all?"
Denis 06/02/2014 6:00pm

So simple and obvious :)))))) Thank you Patrick

Katherine 07/02/2014 7:09am

This is another thought provoking post. It's not easy to share seeds with others who aren't like-minded but when a
conversation lends itself to the opportunity to ask another "If we are eternal beings, what if we actually chose to be
here and live this life?" the seeds are sown. Some don't want to engage further, some think its a stupid concept
because there is much suffering and others give it some thought.
Patrick, your posts make us give it more thought. Thanks!

Lori 04/02/2014 8:17pm

Well, as usual Sir Patrick, you've knocked it out of the park. This has become my favorite part of bedtime! What
wondrous surprise packages you create. . . Thank you

Brett 04/02/2014 9:37pm

A wonderful post.

britta 06/02/2014 9:45pm

I loved this piece. Thank you Patrick and the C! Helpful insights