Research Status: Comprehensive
Last Updated: 2025-07-09
Diary Coverage: Up to April 9, 1875
Identity
Alexander III of Macedon (356-323 BCE), known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon who created one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Marie's Emotional Response
Marie weeps while reading about Alexander's death, calling him a "demi-dieu" (demigod) and expressing frustration that "so many scoundrels survived him." She opens the window and whistles for five minutes - her way of expressing great distress.
Historical Significance
Alexander conquered most of the known world by age 30, from Greece to India. His early death at 32 has been a source of historical fascination and tragedy.
Marie's Romantic Idealization
For Marie, Alexander represents the pinnacle of masculine achievement and beauty. His youth and early death make him a romantic figure worthy of her tears and devotion.
Literary Context
Alexander's story was well-known through classical sources and popular historical works. Marie's emotional response shows her deep engagement with historical narratives.
Psychological Pattern
Marie's grief over Alexander's death, along with her similar reactions to Napoleon and other historical figures, reveals her pattern of investing emotionally in impossible romantic ideals.
Connection to Marie's Character
Her passionate response to Alexander's death demonstrates her intensity, her preference for dramatic historical figures over contemporary men, and her capacity for deep emotional engagement with literature and history.