Monday, May 24, 2010

Emasculation of the Unicorn



The gentle and pensive maiden has the power to tame the unicorn, fresco, probably by Domenico Zampieri, c. 1602 (Palazzo Farnese, Rome)
Dr. Harris in his book Emasculation of the Unicorn says: "The unicorn represented male vitality, the rampant masculine and penetrating force of the masculine spirit. The virgin represented his passive feminine aspect. Though the virgin's deception, the unicorn was delivered into the hands of human hunters who killed it and allowed its red blood to flow."
I'm looking forward to hear the reflection of this book in my class tomorrow.

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