Absolute Etiquette Teacher Guide Absolute Etiquette Teacher Guide
Teacher Resource
Managing the Court of the Sun King
Duration
50-60 Minutes
Grade Level
Grades 7-8
Focus
Political Control via Ritual
The Hook: The Levee (5-7 Minutes)
Teacher Role-Play Instructions:
Setup: Drape a fancy coat or "robe" over a chair. Sit "asleep" as class begins.Action: Wake up slowly. Do not look at the students directly. Look slightly above them.The Bidding: Announce: "I require my royal shirt. Who among you is worthy of the honor of holding my right sleeve?" Selection: Have students "bid" with compliments or by standing perfectly still. Choose the winner based on something arbitrary (e.g., "I like your blue shoes. You may hold the sleeve.").Debrief: Ask: "How did it feel to compete for a task that, at home, is a chore? Why would you want to do this?"
Lesson Breakdown
1
Theater of Power Video (10 Min)
Watch the segment (3:30-5:21) from "The Sun King, Louis XIV."
Key Questions to Ask:
What was the "Grand Entree"?
Why did nobles pay to watch him wake up?
What was the purpose of keeping nobles at Versailles?
2
Courtier Survival Game (25 Min)
Students receive "Role Profiles" (Duke, Marquis, Baron). Use the Versailles Survival Worksheet .
Teacher "King" Whims:
Ignore anyone wearing red today (-5 points).
Anyone who bows with their head too low is "plotting" (-10 points).
Double points for anyone who compliments the King's "graceful gait."
Barons must wait for Dukes to speak first or lose points.
3
Reflection & Discussion (5-10 Min)
Use the Discussion Cards . Focus on the concept of "domestication." How does wasting time on etiquette prevent a rebellion?
The "Why" of Versailles
Louis XIV didn't just like parties; he used them as psychological warfare. By requiring nobles to live at Versailles, he stripped them of their regional power bases. They were so busy competing for the "honor" of holding his candlestick that they didn't have time to organize a rebellion (the Fronde). This is called "domesticating" the nobility.
Royal Rules Slides Royal Rules
Power, Etiquette, and the Sun King
The Royal Levee
The Challenge:
The King is waking up. He requires a servant to perform a simple task.
Compete for the right to hold the royal shirt.
Prove your loyalty with the perfect compliment.
How far would you go for the King's attention?
The Theater of Power
Embedded media
Watch & Listen
Royal Debrief
01
What was the "Grand Entree"?
Describe the ritual of the morning.
02
Why did nobles pay to watch him wake up?
What was the hidden benefit of being in that room?
03
"L'état, c'est moi."
How does this ritual support that statement?
Courtier Survival
You are now a member of the French Court. Your goal is to earn Sun Points by following the King's etiquette.
Duke / Duchess
Marquis
Baron
The Rules of the Game
Earn Points
• Bowing at the perfect depth.
• Creative flattery of the King.
• Standing in your assigned spot.
• Anticipating the King's whims.
Lose Points
• Speaking without permission.
• Turning your back to the King.
• Wearing "forbidden" colors.
• Being ignored by the King.
The King is always watching.
Survival Reflection
"Louis used a pecking order to manipulate the nobility into staying close to him."
How did the game make you feel about the King?
If you are busy bowing, can you plan a rebellion?
Versailles Survival Worksheet Versailles Survival Guide
Your life at the Court of the Sun King
COURTIER:
DATE:
The Duke
Highest rank. Owns vast lands but MUST stay at court to keep them.
The Marquis
Seeking a promotion. Will do anything to be noticed by the King.
The Baron
Lowest rank. In debt. Needs the King's financial favor to survive.
Daily Court Objectives
Gaining Favor (+)
Attend the Levee (Morning Ritual)
Perfect Flattery: Compliment the King's outfit.
Physical Etiquette: Bow deep, stay silent.
Falling from Grace (-)
Showing Boredom: Yawns are treason!
Inappropriate Dress: Wears the wrong color.
Displeasing the King: The King's "Whim."
Sun Point Tracker
Action / Encounter Points (+/-) Total Balance Initial Standing (Start with 50) 50 50
The Courtier's Secret Journal
1. The Game of Whims
How did it feel when the King (your teacher) gave or took points based on a random "whim" (like the color of your shoes)? Did it feel fair? Why did you keep playing anyway?
2. Domestication
In the video, they mention "domesticating" the nobility. If you were busy competing for the "Grand Entree," did you have any time to think about starting a rebellion against the King? Explain.
3. The Price of Power
The video states that nobles "paid good money" just to watch the King wake up. Why would an intelligent person pay money for such a trivial task?
Sun King Discussion Cards Sun King Discussion Cards
Cut these out for small group discussion or gallery walk.
UNIT: ABSOLUTISM
Question 1
"L'état, c'est moi"
Louis XIV famously said "I am the state." In what ways did his daily morning rituals (The Levee) prove this statement to his subjects?
Question 2
The Theater of Power
The video describes Versailles as a "theater." If Louis was the lead actor, what role were the nobles playing? Why were they willing to play it?
Question 3
The Golden Cage
How is making a noble live in a luxury palace a form of "imprisonment" or control? What did they lose by living at Versailles?
Question 4
The Price of Beauty
Versailles cost over $2.5 billion in today's money. Was it worth it? How did this spending lead to problems for the kings who came after Louis?
Question 5
Unity & Control
Why did Louis refuse to answer to the Pope regarding secular (non-religious) matters? How does this fit the idea of "Absolute" power?
Question 6
The Survival Instinct
During the game, did you find yourself caring more about your actual "job" or the King's "opinion"? How does this happen in real life (e.g., social media)?
Discussion Protocol
Place students in groups of 3-4. Each group takes one card at a time. Assign one student as the "Sun King" (moderator) who ensures everyone speaks, one as the "Courtier" (note-taker), and others as "Ambassadors" (speakers). Rotate roles with each card.
