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a woman of grave Greek beauty
embodies the Victorian new woman: upright, virtuous, educated, politically engaged, and active in her husband's career
Immediately Wilde establishes her as serious, judgemental- foreshadowing her strict and unyielding views on morals within society. Elevates her status: pious, formal - traditional, established views
indicating a more severe character with moral dimension claims she will always love her husband, as long as he remains her ideal
a large eighteenth century French tapestry - representing the Triumph of Love, from a design by Boucher
this may be the erotic “Triumph of Venus,” an allegory by Boucher, which serves as a symbol for the moral of this play, for it is love that eventually wins out over society’s harsh moral judgment
Ironic: as the tapestry suggests that love triumphs over all
Tapestry depicts Venus (goddess of love) pointing to Vulcans heart as she conquers it
She then goes on to commit adultery
Intelligent audiences would of seen this irony
Foreshadows the notion that Love may not conquer all within the play
Boucher's tapestry provides an allegorical backdrop to the play
the tapestry is the last thing we see as the lights fade in Act I while Gertrude
I am not surprised!
(gently) a secret? between whom?
