The Royal Appetite for Immortality

The Moon and the Sun

This thread traces Louis XIV’s hope for bodily immortality and the way that hope distorts science, friendship, and judgment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

An Ancient Hope An Ancient Hope from "The Moon and the Sun". The King’s Question A royal ambition Louis XIV regards the living sea monster as more than a rare animal.

An Ancient Hope from "The Moon and the Sun". The King’s Question A royal ambition Louis XIV regards the living sea monster as more than a rare animal.

The King’s Question A royal ambition Louis XIV regards the living sea monster as more than a rare animal. He expects Yves to investigate whether its body contains an organ of immortality. The stakes The King’s personal hope is inseparable from his desire to preserve France’s glory and avoid a future ruled by his heir.

Anatomy and Doubt Anatomy and Doubt from "The Moon and the Sun". A Question in the Lung Examination Yves finds a distinctive lobe in the sea monster’s lung.

Anatomy and Doubt from "The Moon and the Sun". A Question in the Lung Examination Yves finds a distinctive lobe in the sea monster’s lung.

A Question in the Lung Examination Yves finds a distinctive lobe in the sea monster’s lung. Louis XIV interprets the discovery as possible evidence for his desired immortality. Scientific caution Yves cannot establish what the organ does. The gap between observation and royal expectation grows more dangerous with every demand for certainty.

The Secret Claim The Secret Claim from "The Moon and the Sun". Hope Manufactured An unsupported assertion Yves tells the King that the organ works as desired, although he has conducted no confirming test.

The Secret Claim from "The Moon and the Sun". Hope Manufactured An unsupported assertion Yves tells the King that the organ works as desired, although he has conducted no confirming test.

Hope Manufactured An unsupported assertion Yves tells the King that the organ works as desired, although he has conducted no confirming test. He chooses a claim that protects his position in the moment. A public consequence The false report convinces the Pope that the creature’s fate has religious significance. A personal lie becomes a political instrument.

The Ransom Bargain The Ransom Bargain from "The Moon and the Sun". Treasure Versus Flesh Competing returns Sherzad offers a treasure ship, giving Louis XIV a way to gain wealth without consuming her.

The Ransom Bargain from "The Moon and the Sun". Treasure Versus Flesh Competing returns Sherzad offers a treasure ship, giving Louis XIV a way to gain wealth without consuming her.

Treasure Versus Flesh Competing returns Sherzad offers a treasure ship, giving Louis XIV a way to gain wealth without consuming her. The King accepts a limited reprieve, not an uncomplicated promise of release. Glory preserved The treasure serves France and the King’s public image. The bargain shows how easily moral concern is converted into political advantage.

Mortality After the Trial Mortality After the Trial from "The Moon and the Sun". No Immortality Proven The appetite ends The treasure answers the King’s immediate demand, but no evidence establishes that the anomalous organ grants eternal…

Mortality After the Trial from "The Moon and the Sun". No Immortality Proven The appetite ends The treasure answers the King’s immediate demand, but no evidence establishes that the anomalous organ grants eternal…

No Immortality Proven The appetite ends The treasure answers the King’s immediate demand, but no evidence establishes that the anomalous organ grants eternal life. The quest’s central scientific claim remains unresolved. A finite future Louis XIV spares Sherzad while maintaining his authority. The narrative leaves his mortality intact and exposes the harm caused by attempting to command it away.

The first presentation of the sea monster

The secret dissection after the first public session

During the Carrousel performance

The hours before the final Carrousel performance

After the treasure is recovered and the court’s final judgment