The Bloody Chamber- Intertextual References/ Unknown Words.

Bluebeard- The Myth-

European Folk Tale- it goes that Bluebeard married many Women- killing each of them one by one.

In the tale each Wife is given the keys to the Castle as Bluebeard goes away- each Wife is told not to enter the chamber where his Wives are buried- but they all enter his forbidden room.

Upon returning Bluebeard knows what each Wife has done- and therefore must kill each Wife- there are many differing endings to this Folk Tale- e.g. Bluebeards youngest Wife kills him/ The Wife’s Brother’s come to rescue her.

The moral of the story is that there is always a penalty for being too curious.

 

Mark of Cain-

From Genesis 4- where God declared that Cain- first born of Adam and Eve is cursed for murdering his Brother Abel.

It was a mark that suggested nobody can hurt Cain- as if they do they would be punished.

Some suggest it was a physical mark on Cain- others say it was simply a sign that Cain cannot be hurt.

 

Catherine de Medici-

Italian Noble Woman- she was Queen of France from 1547-1559.

 

Croesus-

King of Lydia from 560 BC to 547 BC- “as rich as Croesus”.

He was defeated by the Persians- suggested to have created the first Gold Coins.

 

Tristan and Isolde (Opera)-

Romantic Opera- composed by Wagner between 1857 & 1859.

 

Felicien Rops-

Belgian Artist- he was friends with Baudelaire- created the frontispiece for Les Epaves- this was a selection of poems from Les Fleurs du mal.

He liked Baudelaire as he was closely associated with the literary movement of Symbolism and Decadence.

 

La-Bas-

Written by French Writer Joris-Karl Huysmans- translated to The Damned/ Down There.

First published in 1891- very dark subject matter- involved Satanism- and how it was still involved in their society.

 

The Rape of the Sabine Women-

Set in 750 BC- Romans planned to abduct/ rape Sabine Women as they could not marry them- used as a subject matter for works of art- e.g. Pablo Picasso.

 

St Cecilia-

Patroness of the Musicians- her feast day is celebrated on the 22^nd of November.

She is supposedly one of the most famous Roman martyrs- although her tale is based upon lies.

 

Pandora’s Box-

This was a box given to Pandora which contained all the evils of the World- it is used to suggest that although an action may be small and innocent it can have huge consequences.

 

Poiret-

French Fashion Designer- he seemed to free women from corsets- he was seemingly a visionary of his field.

 

Aesthete- A person with a great love of the arts.

Aigrette- A head ornament- either of feathers or a jewel.

Avarice- To be greedy with money etc.

Baroque- Style/ Period within the 17^th Century in Italy/ Europe- it was a style of Art/ Architecture.

Bier- A stand which a Corpse/ The Coffin it is in is placed before it is buried.

Billet-Doux- A Love Letter.

Carillon- A set of stationary bells in a tower- they are rung by a pedal action/ machinery.

Carillon- A set of horizontal metal plates- hit by hammers- used by orchestras.

Carnal- A pleasure of the body- creates passion for the senses.

Catafalque- A raised platform that the body of the deceased lies on.

Chthonic- To belong to the spirits of the underworld.

Dolorous- Expressing/ Causing Pain or Sorrow.

Eldritch- Weird/ Spooky.

Enfer- Translates from French to Hell.

Gourmand- A person fond of eating- usually in excess.

Immolated- To be set on fire- as a sacrifice etc.

Importunate- Urgent/ Persistent in solicitation.

Interdiction- An act of forbidding.

Jinn- Any class of spirits.

Lisle- Knit goods e.g. Gloves.

Loge- In theatre it is the lowest balcony- separated from the rest of the theatre by a row of aisles.

Loquacity- State of being talkative.

Missal- Roman Catholic Church’s Book of Prayers/ Devotions.

Nacreous- To be lustful.

Parure- A matching set of jewels/ ornaments.

Rictus- The opening of the mouth.

Sacerdotal- To be priestly.

Sadomasochistic- The pleasure of giving/ receiving sexual pain.

Sardonic- Cynical laugh- mocking.

Trousseau- Household linen- meant for a Bride.

Vellum- A type of skin e.g. calfskin used for writing on.

Vicuna- Type of Wool- comes from the endangered South American Vicugna Vicugna.

Viscera- Organs in the cavities of the body- especially those in the abdominal cavity.

Voluptuary- A person who spends their life in the pursuit of pleasure/ luxury.