Bluebeard is a character from Charles Perrault’s 1697 story who forbids his new wife from entering a room in her castle, which contains the corpses of his ex-wives. The story has been linked to real-life serial killers and wife killers. The tale is rich in symbolism and is often interpreted as a warning against marrying someone simply because they are wealthy or titled.
Bluebeard is the protagonist of a 1697 story Histoires ou Contes du Temps passé by Charles Perrault. He forbids his new wife from entering a room in her castle, which turns out to contain the corpses of his ex-wives, whom he killed. Many serial killers and wife killers have been referred to as Bluebeard since the story’s publication.
Perrault’s story tells of a young woman who marries a wealthy but menacing nobleman with an unearthly blue beard. Shortly after she moves into her castle, Bluebeard announces that she is going on a trip and gives her the keys to each room. He tells her that she can explore as she pleases, but one particular room is off limits to her.
Shortly after Bluebeard’s departure, his young wife’s curiosity gets the best of her and she opens the door to discover Bluebeard’s horrible secret. To her horror, she drops the key on the floor and gets blood on it. It’s bewitched and she can’t wash it well. When Bluebeard returns, he demands to see the keys and discovers that his wife has disobeyed him. He tells her it is her turn to die at her hands.
Bluebeard’s wife begs him to give her time alone in her room to say her last prayers, and he agrees. While in her tallest tower, her sister, who had been visiting her, stands guard from the roof and finally sees their brothers approaching. They break in just as Bluebeard is about to decapitate his wife and kill Bluebeard instead.
It has been speculated that Bluebeard is based on an actual person from history, usually Gilles de Rais, a mass murderer of children active in the 15th century, or Conomor the Accursed, a 6th-century ruler of Brittany known for his cruelty. However, Bluebeard is very similar to stories from different cultures, many of which predate Gilles de Rais. Some possibly related stories, such as the Greek myths about Pandora’s Box and Cupid and Psyche, or the Biblical story of Eve and the Tree of Knowledge, predate even Conomor. The connection between Perrault’s character and any historical figures is more likely to be a popular explanation.
Bluebeard is rich in symbolism, even if it is often ambiguous. A common interpretation holds that the story is a metaphor for sexual curiosity and the loss of innocence. The forbidden chamber, the key, and the indelible bloodstain all seem to have sexual undertones. In the past, death could literally result from indulging in sexual curiosity, as death in childbirth was much more common before the advent of modern medicine. The story may also warn against marrying a stranger simply because he is rich or titled.
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