The King Amuses Himself (Le roi s'amuse in French) is a dramatic play by Victor Hugo, written in 1832. Its initial run was more of a single step, as the play was banned in France after just one evening. It fell into obscurity until 1851 when it was used as the basis for the classic opera Rigoletto. The play in its original form hasn't seen many restagings but is available for reading in at least French and English book publications.
The story proper tells the story of some events that involve King Francis I (ruler of France from 1515-47) and his hunchback jester Triboulet. The King here is a Handsome Lech from whom just about anyone should really keep women away, but this is a Victor Hugo story, so clearly some sad stuff is going down. The King's latest target for seduction is a beauty he met that Triboulet doesn't realize is his own daughter, Blanche. However, during the first act, the King is confronted by Monsieur de Saint-Vallier, whose daughter, Diane de Poitiers, is a recent conquest of His Majesty's. Saint-Vallier is sentenced to execution for his trouble, but not before cursing the King and Triboulet. Meanwhile, several other members of the court are plotting to get some revenge on Triboulet for his fondess for insulting them in the name of entertainment. Then we also have a Professional Killer on the loose. Regardless of whether you've seen Rigoletto or read enough Hugo, you know this so going to end badly.
This work contains examples of the following tropes:
- Broken Bird: Maguelonne shows signs of this as having not exactly the best life as a street performer.
- The Casanova: The King has a good amount of this going for him. He seduces Blanche, Maguelonne, Diana de Poitiers, and Countess de Cossé. And that's all we know about!
- Cultured Badass: What the king would like to be, at least from time to time. He's a formidble fighter and general and he wants to write poems and have poets in his court - but Triboulet tells him it's unbecoming for a king to make verse, he already has one poet who will do that for him, which seems to kill the idea. Ironically, it's when he hears him rhyming a ditty that Triboulet understands he has escaped and someone has been murdered in his place.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: Blanche survives her assassination for just long enough for Triboulet to discover her inside the sack and hold her as she dies.
- The Dog Bites Back: Triboulet thinks he does this... though the situation is much more complicated.
- Downer Ending: Triboulet opens the sack Saltabadil has told him contains the King's body to find Blanche, who dies in his arms. Triboulet is left crying out "I killed my child !".
- Even Evil Has Standards: Saltabadil rejects Maguelonne's suggestion that they take Triboulet's money, murder him, and let the King go: he's absolutely indignant at the idea of killing someone who paid him. He also despises hitmen who mob their enemies.
- Evil Cripple: Triboulet. Hunchbacked and probably a midget. He keeps advising the king to take all women he has an eye for and to kill off whoever displeases him, For the Evulz.
- Historical Domain Character: King Francis I and Triboulet were both real people, but the story itself is fictional.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: Clément Marot is depicted as a vicious enemy of Triboulet. Actually, as well as a court poet, he was an early convert to Protestantism which landed him in serious trouble; he translated the Psalms into French. All that Hugo retains of this side of his personality is a tasteless gibe at the Virgin…
- He also denounced the execution of finance superintendant Semblançay, who was framed for misdeeds committed by the king's mother
- Hitman with a Heart: Saltabadil, to at least a degree. He takes his jobs seriously due to his honor, never double-crosses anyone, and cares for his younger sister Maguelonne. He also claims to have four children he has to provide for, not that we see them.
- Honey Trap: Maguelonne has a habit of bedding Saltabadil's intended victims so that he can kill them while they are vulnerable, and follows this pattern with the King only to fall In Love with the Mark.
- Idiot Ball: How do the courtiers kidnap Blanche? By getting Triboulet to help them. Somehow he doesn't notice the geography and goes along with it.
- Actually the place they pretend to abduct Mme de Cossé from is almost next door to his place. Plus it's night and they put on him a 'mask' that effectively prevents him from seeing or hearing.
- The Ingenue: Blanche fills this role. She is young and naive, as a result of Triboulet shielding her from the corruption of the world.
- In Love with the Mark: Maguelonne ends up charmed enough by the King to convince her brother not to kill him if he can find some other poor sap to be given to Triboulet instead.
- Instant Seduction: The King. He's good.
- Karma Houdini: The King. Particularly interesting in that Monsieur de Saint-Vallier curses both of them, but only Triboulet gets any real comeuppance (the King is last heard walking off in the distance, oblivious to the (failed) plot on his life).
- Kill the Cutie: Blanche was waaaaay too cute and naive for her own sake.
- Kill the Ones You Love: Triboulet ends up causing the death of his own daughter while trying to avenge her honor.
- Ladykiller in Love: The King of France happily proclaims his love for Blanche and promises she'll be his queen... and doesn't understand at all why Blanche is upset that this means being his mistress, not his wife.
- Love Martyr: Blanche overhears the discussion between Saltabadil and Maguelonne that they need someone else to give to Triboulet in order to spare the King. Saltabadil gives up and says if someone just happens to knock on their door seeking shelter he'll kill him instead. Blanche allows herself to fulfill this role.
- Missing Mom: Blanche's mother died somehow. It isn't particularly explained.
- Monster Clown: Triboulet is neither cheerful nor good-looking. And his story? Pure drama.
- Rape as Drama: The King's seduction of Diana de Poitiers comes off sounding more like this than actual seduction.
- Take a Third Option: Saltabadil is supposed to kill the King and deliver his body to Triboulet. His sister Maguelonne wants him to spare the King and just not kill anyone. Saltabadil decides to leave it to fate, if some poor sucker happens to knock on their door this night for shelter, he'll kill them instead and give that body to Triboulet. Blanche the King's lover happened to be eavesdropping. Oops.
- The Reason You Suck: Triboulet delivers one to the nobles who are blocking his path so the king can have his way with Blanche.
- The Ugly Guy's Hot Daughter: Blanche is this to Triboulet.
