pair while being accompanied with violins. The second sequence is referred to as the Entre of the Grand Ballet, and there were fifteen geometrical shapes in this sequence. The next and last stage of the dance was the Final Grand Ballet. In this choreographed sequence, the dancers constructed forty different geometric figures to the amazement and delight of the crowd. The Final Grand Ballet was followed by a Grand Ball in which the performers invited the members of the audience to dance with them on the dance floor. The whole performance was a wonderful spectacle for all to watch and was very pleasing to eye due to its creativity and magnificence. However, perhaps a more important and fascinating aspect of Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, are its political implications. In order to understand the political significance of the play, you must have a basic knowledge of the France’s situation. France is divided by religious conflict between the Protestants and Catholics. Despite the numerous attempts of King Henry III’s mother, Catherine de’ Medici, to bring peace between the two factions, they both still harbored much hostility and intolerance towards each other. Catherine is a great lover of peace and attempted to bring peace though dance productions. It is her belief that if everyone pays more attention to the arts and dance, there will be no more conflict. This is because she associates dance with divinity. She sees that it potentially has the power to rid the belligerent feelings from the hearts of those in conflict. Another way to look at it is that in light of all the discord in the world, the situation in France can be greatly contrasted by the harmony and acquirable perfection in dance and music. Thus, in order to rid the world and, more specifically, France, of some disharmony, dance to music. As one of Catherine’s court poets wrote: “The world is made from discord accorded…we dance ...
