Religious Symbolism Of The Unicorn In Literature
Additionally, South goes on to discuss the unicorn’s role in the Garden of Eden, describing how the unicorn and its mate refused to enter the ark. “Some accounts say that the unicorn drowned in the Flood, but others say that he survived by swimming until the waters went down” (South 1987:18). South’s tale is unique because it acts as a reasonable explanation for many people as to why unicorns are not present in the world anymore: they were wiped out by the flood. The religious symbolism of the unicorn did not only impact works of literature. “Late medieval and Renaissance pictures of a virgin holding a slain unicorn on her lap resemble those of pieta- depictions of Mary holding the dead Christ” (Sax 2013:9). Given this information, it is evident
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The unicorn, in many ways, represented the English Civil War (Sax 2013). Reverend Edward Topsell’s book, History of Four-Footed Beasts, was published during the decline of the Elizabethan era and the ascent of Puritanism (Sax 2013). For Tospell and others, the “lore of exotic animals became a refuge for the fantasy that was constantly discouraged by Puritan codes” (Sax 2013:13). The English Civil War, which took place between 1642-1651, was fought between the Royalists, who were mostly Catholics, and the Parliamentarians, who were mostly Puritan. With religious tensions rising, King Charles I was tried for treason and executed in 1649, putting England into the hands of Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the Puritans. Cromwell was extremely unpopular and died in 1658, which, not so coincidentally, was the year that Topsell published his book about fantastic beasts (Sax 2013). The lore of the unicorn was incorporated in many Catholic traditions. Therefore, during the war, the unicorn was a representation of the Catholic side. Once Cromwell died, and Topsell ended the unicorn’s silence, the Catholic people were released from oppression, and freedom was won. The unicorn’s “silence” during the English Civil War, represents an oppression of freedom because the unicorn is known to be a wild and free
The unicorn, in many ways, represented the English Civil War (Sax 2013). Reverend Edward Topsell’s book, History of Four-Footed Beasts, was published during the decline of the Elizabethan era and the ascent of Puritanism (Sax 2013). For Tospell and others, the “lore of exotic animals became a refuge for the fantasy that was constantly discouraged by Puritan codes” (Sax 2013:13). The English Civil War, which took place between 1642-1651, was fought between the Royalists, who were mostly Catholics, and the Parliamentarians, who were mostly Puritan. With religious tensions rising, King Charles I was tried for treason and executed in 1649, putting England into the hands of Oliver Cromwell, the leader of the Puritans. Cromwell was extremely unpopular and died in 1658, which, not so coincidentally, was the year that Topsell published his book about fantastic beasts (Sax 2013). The lore of the unicorn was incorporated in many Catholic traditions. Therefore, during the war, the unicorn was a representation of the Catholic side. Once Cromwell died, and Topsell ended the unicorn’s silence, the Catholic people were released from oppression, and freedom was won. The unicorn’s “silence” during the English Civil War, represents an oppression of freedom because the unicorn is known to be a wild and free