La Princesse de Clèves was first published in 1678 and is often considered the first significant French novel. Marie de La Fayette paved the way for future novelists with her work. The importance and impact of his work goes far beyond the text itself. It combines original and classic concepts throughout its history. Its figurative language is still prevalent and widely used in modern literature. De La Fayette's innovative ideas contributed to one of the most important periods, the Age of Enlightenment, and continue to inspire today. The Princess of Cleves focuses on the forbidden love shared between Madame de Cleves and Monsieur de Nemours. The princess longs for Monsieur de Nemours, but strives to remain faithful to her husband even after his death. Madame de Cleves often fakes illness, throughout the story, to avoid the temptation to act on her feelings for Nemours. Madame de Clèves pretends “to be ill, to have a good excuse not to go, because the real reasons would not be approved and should not be suspected” (De La Fayette 89). Nemours, likewise, renounces the events of the French court, under the pretext of illness, to distance himself from the presence of Madame de Clèves. Lovesickness is often present in the plots of films and novels. The term heartbreak can be described as the anguish one feels in the absence of a loved one. Nemours and Madame de Cleves fake illness to remain virtuous, but in doing so they sacrifice a chance for true happiness with each other. Everyone's absence only brings them sorrow. The Princess of Cleves was one of the first novels to contain the concept of heartbreak. Contemporary authors seem to have modeled their plots on La Princesse de Clèves....... middle of sheet ......La Princesse de Clèves by Ame De La Fayette is a timeless play that has the same impact on readers that she did so in 1678. Her use of figurative language, throughout the story, addresses social issues and conveys strong morals; many of which still apply today. Before The Princess of Cleves, many focused on the importance of reputation and status. De La Fayette challenges the social norms of his time and teaches the importance of humility, reasoning, introspection and virtue. De La Fayette's powerful analogies and metaphors will continue to influence writers and remain relevant to audiences around the world. Works Cited De La Fayette, Madame. The Princess of Cleves. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Ed. Sarah Lawall. 8th ed. Flight. 2. New York: Norton, 2006. 70-159. Print.Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984. Print.