Baron De Laubardemont - sympathetic?
Anyone else feel the Baron was being sympathetic towards Grandier as he was about to be shorn?
He seemed quite humane in that scene...
I don't think he's genuinely sympathizing with Grandier's plight. To me it looks like he feels sorry for Grandier as a person. Laubardemont believes himself to be superior and infallible, and he pities Grandier for being so beneath him. I think that's all there is to it. This is consistant with his real character, as portrayed in Huxley's The Devils of Loudun.
In fact if Huxley's account is accurate, Laubardemont reportedly demanded that Grandier's fingernails and toenails be removed as well! Thankfully, the attendant refused to comply, much to Laubardemont's chagrin.
That's an interesting insight, thanks.
It just always seemed to me that he made a point of showing Grandier his reflection as he wished, when the others just wanted to get on with it...