Bluebeard

The wife of Bluebeard in the folk tale “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault is an interesting representation of a female character in a folk tale. Her happiness comes to her with many objections from her part in the beginning due the dislike of a man with a blue beard, and the fact that he had married before without a trace of the past wives seen anywhere.

A lady of quality had two daughters who were perfect beauties. He desired of her one of them in marriage, leaving to her choice which of the two she would bestow on him. Neither of them would have him, and they sent him backwards and forwards from one to the other, not being able to bear the thoughts of marrying a man who had a blue beard. Adding to their disgust and aversion was the fact that he already had been married to several wives, and nobody knew what had become of them. (Perrault 1889)

She of course is a beautiful woman who would be desirable to any man, as we have learned almost all the folk/fairy tale female characters are, such as Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. Due to their beauty they do acquire the man’s affections and will marry them.

Unlike other stories, the wife of a Bluebeard had her fairy tale life only for a brief moment. She was too curious to obey her husband’s wishes, and opened up the door to the forbidden closet despite of his warnings of the consequences. She was expecting of more lavish items, more gold and shiny things, more riches, but was faced with death. Her husband was a murderer, and the tale took another turn from there.

After several goings backwards and forwards, she was forced to bring him the key. Bluebeard, having very attentively considered it, said to his wife, "Why is there blood on the key?" "I do not know," cried the poor woman, paler than death."You do not know!" replied Bluebeard. "I very well know. You went into the closet, did you not? Very well, madam; you shall go back, and take your place among the ladies you saw there."Upon this she threw herself at her husband's feet, and begged his pardon with all the signs of a true repentance, vowing that she would never more be disobedient. She would have melted a rock, so beautiful and sorrowful was she; but Bluebeard had a heart harder than any rock! (Perrault 1889)

She was no longer blinded by his riches, but scared for her life. This realization created the character into something that we often do not see in the folk tales. She became also more intellectual in her ways of finding a way out of certain death. She did need to be rescued but she also was able to divert her husband’s attention for long enough for her brothers to arrive. She deserved to stay alive, and when she did she used her inherited riches for good. A true happy ending!