Kaikeyi's Necklace
Characters spanning all cultures and
genres throughout literature have proven to be much more
than they seem. The Phantom of the Opera, thought to be an evil,
merciless beast, is revealed to a tormented soul, isolated form society
and obsessed with a world and a woman he can never have. Foust,
seemingly a noble, devoted clergyman, is discovered to have sold his
soul to the devil for the gift of immeasurable wisdom and
knowledge. Through characters such as these, audiences and
readers have learned that what is seen
on the facade is not always what is contained beneath. Kaikeyi of
the
Ramayana is no exception to this. She is arguably one of the most
complicated women of literature, trapped between the passions of her
own heart and the traditions of her culture, between honor and
self-defense, between love and hate. She is the feature of my
storybook project.
The stories contained within this project encompass four vastly influential episodes in the life of this anti-heroine, as I like to call her. The first, entitled "The Warrior Kaikeyi," reveals an epic battle of gods and man in which Kaikeyi alone is responsible for rescuing the king Dasaratha. Through my interpretation, I hope that readers will recognize the valor of her heart and the ferocity with which she lives her life. Following this scene, the reader is shown Dasaratha's promises made to her.
The second story, "Kaikeyi's Test," explores a tale of Kaikeyi's desire to learn the language of the animals, a skill that Dasaratha possesses. Initially, readers may be appalled by her apparent lack of concern for her husband's welfare and her own greed. However, I hope to reveal a deeper meaning behind Kaikeyi's action that would suggest her actions are motivated by a deeper need to connect with her significant other.
The third story, "The Two Promises," arguably the climax of Kaikeyi's tale, reveals the events that pass between the Queen and her servant Kooni as Kaikeyi discovers a vow that has not been upheld by her husband. In this manner, I hope to cast new light on Kaikeyi's two requests - the same two requests that seem to damn her in most readers' eyes.
The fourth and final story, "At Last There is Peace," concludes Kaikeyi's tale, revealing a scene between mother and son that further clarifies the intentions of the warrior queen, as well as Kaikeyi's forgiveness.
Unique to my project, I plan to tell all four stories from the point of view from a necklace that Kaikeyi wears, an elaborate necklace worn by her mother and all of the women of her family before her. I give this necklace a voice. The necklace has the advantage of a third-party perspective, while still close to the actions of its owner. It is close to her heart and understands the various motivations behind her actions. The necklace will be vital to the storybook project's goal: to reveal that Kaikeyi is arguably the most complicated character in the Ramayana and, though she seems to be someone who may be deemed "evil," her actions can be also viewed as those of a truly modern woman: a warrior, a mother, and a wife.
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The stories contained within this project encompass four vastly influential episodes in the life of this anti-heroine, as I like to call her. The first, entitled "The Warrior Kaikeyi," reveals an epic battle of gods and man in which Kaikeyi alone is responsible for rescuing the king Dasaratha. Through my interpretation, I hope that readers will recognize the valor of her heart and the ferocity with which she lives her life. Following this scene, the reader is shown Dasaratha's promises made to her.
The second story, "Kaikeyi's Test," explores a tale of Kaikeyi's desire to learn the language of the animals, a skill that Dasaratha possesses. Initially, readers may be appalled by her apparent lack of concern for her husband's welfare and her own greed. However, I hope to reveal a deeper meaning behind Kaikeyi's action that would suggest her actions are motivated by a deeper need to connect with her significant other.
The third story, "The Two Promises," arguably the climax of Kaikeyi's tale, reveals the events that pass between the Queen and her servant Kooni as Kaikeyi discovers a vow that has not been upheld by her husband. In this manner, I hope to cast new light on Kaikeyi's two requests - the same two requests that seem to damn her in most readers' eyes.
The fourth and final story, "At Last There is Peace," concludes Kaikeyi's tale, revealing a scene between mother and son that further clarifies the intentions of the warrior queen, as well as Kaikeyi's forgiveness.
Unique to my project, I plan to tell all four stories from the point of view from a necklace that Kaikeyi wears, an elaborate necklace worn by her mother and all of the women of her family before her. I give this necklace a voice. The necklace has the advantage of a third-party perspective, while still close to the actions of its owner. It is close to her heart and understands the various motivations behind her actions. The necklace will be vital to the storybook project's goal: to reveal that Kaikeyi is arguably the most complicated character in the Ramayana and, though she seems to be someone who may be deemed "evil," her actions can be also viewed as those of a truly modern woman: a warrior, a mother, and a wife.
Back to the Coverpage...