Conquering Coral

I’m curious what people think about our introduction to the Prioress, and if there’s a possibility that our overall interpretations of her as some sort of floozy are founded or not.

In looking at line 118, we see a woman who, at first glance, is high-born and sent to a priory.  She has become a Prioress, and knows how to appear the most proper of ladies through her upbringing. She eats her meat daintily, and even saves scraps for her lapdogs.  She has a large heart, which we see in how she feels about a mouse caught in a trap, or if one of her pups were to die.  Why is it that these things aren’t lauded or praised? Is it because her French isn’t good? She is kind hearted, generous, and looks out for the smaller of God’s creatures—so what makes us think she’s not living up to the role of Prioress? A simple love token. A set of beads which includes a piece of coral and the words engraved in gold “Amor Vincit Omnia”—love conquers all.

This beaded bracelet, I think, is the key to understanding more about this Prioress, especially because I no longer think that she is the tarty woman she is so often made out to be. Many feel that this bracelet must be a love token from a lover, someone who the prioress loves more than the God she is supposed to be serving. I feel differently.

While my first idea is definitely a simplistic one, and one that I’m sure will be shot down by many, the immediate phrase which comes to mind is something that was taught to me in church and church school repeatedly: “god is love.” If this is the case, isn’t she making a subtle statement that, perhaps, God can conquer all? (at this point, I’m well aware that the concept of “amor” is going to be more earthly love, etc. You may crucify me now, as I’ve opened the door, but at least see where my mind is going.)

Second, and the more compelling argument, brought about by my first point, is that the other prominent element, other than the golden words, is a piece of coral. Seemingly insignificant, as it’s essentially a piece of stone to the untrained eye, coral signifies so much more to me. Coral has a long history in art, being used in artwork depicting Perseus’ battle with Medusa (after he cuts of her head, it’s thought that her blood turned to stone, which could explain why coral is so brightly red). Because of this, and the fact that it grows so slowly, there were many who believed that coral had healing and protecting qualities.  Additionally, because it was thought that the Pegasus sprang forth from Medusa’s body, there is an element of rebirth also associated with coral, should it be related to the blood of Medusa.

Later, as Christianity takes precedence, we no longer see coral solely used in the stories of Greek and Roman myths, but begin to see coral being associated with Christ.  Firstly, because of the connotation of rebirth, the connections between Christ and coral are obvious. To further this idea, the bright red of the coral is connected to the blood of Christ, and is therefore thought to represent his blood solidified as protection and help for those lucky enough to have a piece of it.  In fact, coral became something which was given to babies in beads, especially those of a child’s rosary, for many years, to ward evil away.  We can see an example of this protection in the painting, seen below, of the Madonna Della Vittoria, where a large piece of coral hangs above Mary and the Christ child, used both to reinforce the idea that coral is protecting, and life-giving, as Christ will eventually be resurrected.

So, returning to our Prioress, I raise two questions: If she is the opposite of what a prioress should be, which is almost always what I have said, and what I hear everyone else who has discussed her has said, then here are my problems with this assumption. First, what if the love she holds for someone is really an overly ornate trinket which is really about her love for God? Second, what if she is actually an extremely clever person who is using her potentially educated background to have a lover’s token which is heavily disguised to be a religious bauble instead? Third, what if she is overly superstitious and is using the coral bead as a talisman of protection for the trip she is currently undertaking?

Here are pictures of the Madonnad Della Vittoria. The first is the entire painting, the second is the dangling bit of coral from the top, center of the painting. Both images are taken from Wikipedia... (I know, I know. It's terrible, but at least they can't screw up images of art...)

DOA: 9/14/13  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_della_Vittoria