Heptameron

Marguerite De Navarre
72 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 1558

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Oisille is an older, widowed noblewoman and the most devout member of the stranded travelers. She assumes the role of spiritual leader for the group, organizing their morning Scripture readings to provide spiritual nourishment before the afternoon activities. She serves as a moderating force, regularly stepping in to guide the group's afternoon debates back toward Christian morality and faith.

Key Relationships

Spiritual Mentor to Parlamente

Spiritual Mentor to Hircan

Spiritual Mentor to Longarine

Spiritual Mentor to Dagoucin

Spiritual Mentor to Saffredent

Spiritual Mentor to Simontaut

Spiritual Mentor to Geburon

Parlamente is a highly intelligent and authoritative noblewoman. Married to Hircan, she is the one who suggests the group pass the time by telling true stories in the afternoon, establishing the rules for their daily entertainment. She holds strong opinions during the debates, speaking thoughtfully about the complexities of love, honor, and the heavy expectations placed on women in society.

Key Relationships

Wife of Hircan

Platonic Ideal of Simontaut

Student of Oisille

Friend and Fellow Traveler of Longarine

Friend of Dagoucin

Friend of Saffredent

Hircan is a blunt, aggressive warrior and the husband of Parlamente. He firmly believes in patriarchal authority and male dominance, frequently arguing in favor of a man's right to pursue his physical desires. During the group's debates, he consistently presents a pragmatic view of gender roles, demanding absolute loyalty from women while excusing the sexual aggression of men.

Key Relationships

Husband of Parlamente

Student of Oisille

Friend of Simontaut

Friend of Geburon

Companion of Dagoucin

Companion of Saffredent

Longarine is a young noblewoman who joins the group as a recent widow following the violent loss of her husband. Rescued by Dagoucin and Saffredent, she travels with them to safety at the abbey. Despite her mourning, she actively participates in the storytelling and debates, offering insights into the difficult social positions women navigate.

Key Relationships

Friend of Parlamente

Rescued by Dagoucin

Rescued by Saffredent

Student of Oisille

Fellow Traveler of Ennasuite

Fellow Traveler of Nomerfide

Dagoucin is a young gentleman who travels alongside Saffredent. He is a steadfast advocate for Neoplatonic ideals, arguing that perfect love is a purely spiritual, unconsummated devotion. He claims to have never entered into a physical love affair, preferring the position of a chaste and loyal servant to a lady.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Saffredent

Rescuer and Friend of Longarine

Friend of Parlamente

Companion of Hircan

Student of Oisille

Fellow Storyteller of Simontaut

Saffredent is a young gentleman who provides a sharp contrast to his traveling companion, Dagoucin. He possesses a highly cynical view of human nature and romance, openly mocking the idea of pure, spiritual love. He frequently uses blunt observations to undermine the idealistic claims made by other members of the group.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Dagoucin

Rescuer and Friend of Longarine

Friend of Parlamente

Companion of Hircan

Student of Oisille

Fellow Storyteller of Simontaut

Geburon is an older, experienced member of the group who is rescued by Hircan and the other men. He is regarded as the wisest man among the travelers, offering balanced perspectives during their debates. His stories and arguments often mix an appreciation for liveliness with a mature understanding of human weakness.

Key Relationships

Rescued by Hircan

Student of Oisille

Fellow Storyteller of Parlamente

Companion of Simontaut

Companion of Dagoucin

Companion of Saffredent

Simontaut is a nobleman who acts as Parlamente's devoted "serviteur" in the tradition of courtly love. He possesses a sharp tongue and frequently makes sexual innuendos during the debates. His stories often focus on the wickedness of women, reflecting a combative but playful attitude toward the opposite sex.

Key Relationships

Devoted Servant of Parlamente

Companion of Hircan

Student of Oisille

Friend of Geburon

Fellow Storyteller of Dagoucin

Fellow Storyteller of Saffredent

Supporting Characters

Ennasuite is a noblewoman who joins the group alongside her companion, Nomerfide. She participates in the daily rituals of Scripture reading and storytelling, typically offering perspectives that support the preservation of family honor and courtly virtue against the trickery of both men and commoners.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Nomerfide

Student of Oisille

Fellow Storyteller of Parlamente

Nomerfide is the youngest woman in the group of travelers. Reflecting her youth, she generally prefers to tell lighter, more amusing stories, often utilizing bawdy or scatological humor to entertain the group and cleanse the palate after a heavy or tragic tale is told.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Ennasuite

Student of Oisille

Fellow Storyteller of Parlamente

Florida is a virtuous, high-born Spanish girl who becomes the subject of a respected warrior's intense affection. She strives to maintain her chastity and honor despite the increasing pressure of his advances, carefully guarding her reputation in a strict aristocratic society.

Key Relationships

Pursued by Amador

Amador is a talented soldier who recognizes Florida's inherent virtue and resolves to love her despite their difference in station. He uses strategic marriages and deceit to remain close to her, but his initial dedication gradually devolves into dangerous, unmanageable desire.

Key Relationships

Pursuer of Florida

Rolandine is a relative of the queen who remains unmarried due to her father's neglect and the queen's irrational dislike. Isolated and dismissed, she seeks companionship and love, demonstrating a steadfast loyalty even when faced with imprisonment and abandonment.

Key Relationships

Subject of The Queen