I really like the idea of the poisonous woman, like that of the story "Rappaccini's Daughter". This theme must be reoccuring for a reason. I do not think it is simply a made up theme, but that it does hold much truth about the nature of women in many aspects. Such as emmense external beauty that comes at a price. This seems also to not only affect humans, but the plant and animal kingdoms as well. An insect is attracted to the looks and smell of the sweet nectar of a venus fly trap, only to be unglufed and killed in the presence of its beauty. What a price to pay for such essence. As the fly was taken by beauty, so was Giovanni by Beatrice.
I think that it will be interesting to examine this theme and its reoccurance in many different places ammong unrelated species.
1 comment:
The role of Beatrice is very much an archetype of the demonic woman who lures men with her beauty. At the very least it reveals a patriarchical, mysoginistic veiw of women. So where did this idea originate? What has sustained this idea for so long? What does it reveal about men? I'm not sure about the connection to the natural world (esp. since with so many species it is the male that is the one of beauty). Is this idea still prevelant today? If so, where. Do you see it in popular media or literature? I think this can be a fun topic to explore!
Clary
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