Marie Antoinette was much detested and lied about in the snake-pit of late 18th century France . The Diamond Necklace affair was a sensation. From the chain of forged letters, lies, secret meetings, deluded unrequited love, and missing 1.6 million livres, the capital was hot with gossip. Jeanne and Rohan were tried in 1785. Jeanne de Molette was flogged, branded and imprisoned for life. Cardinal de Rohan’s political standing suffered greatly, even after his acquittal. The city of Paris had been at the mercy of libelles for quite some time. Many of the citizens preferred to think of the Queen as a ‘willing player’ in the scandal and that the verdict of the trial was engineered to protect her reputation . Rohan’s acquittal was seen as evidence he had been used and betrayed by Antoinette. Paris was a poisoned environment, people were eager to think poorly of Marie Antoinette, even if evidence was contrary to this …show more content…
As a royal couple, Marie and Louis failed to produce an heir for the first seven years of their marriage. She took on the role of a loving mother, and halted her ways of extravagance and partying for her family’s future. After the birth of her children, Marie Antoinette 's way of life became more restrained. This did not alter the popular image of her as an immoral and extravagant woman. Political pamphleteers of the day did much to deride Marie Antoinette, featuring her in salacious comics and nicknaming her “Madame Déficit.” They often portrayed her as an ignorant woman . In reality, the Queen was a loving mother and a person. Just like those who oppressed her. Although she had formulated an escape plan, she refused to leave without her family. Tragically, she lost her children to illness and the excesses of the French