Stockholm Syndrome in "Rigoletto" -- 2001-2002 Cultural Literacy Class Forum

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Date Posted: 17:19:33 11/18/01 Sun
Author: Laura
Subject: Stockholm Syndrome in "Rigoletto"

Many people (including myself) were wondering how Gilda could be in love with the Duke to the point of sacrificing her life so that he might live, especially after she discovers what a womanizer he is. Perhaps she has what is called "Stockholm Syndrome," which is when a victim falls in love/sympathizes with the person that hurt him/her because they cannot forget that the abuser had, prior to the abuse, shown some kindness towards the victim (and might show kindness again sometime after the attack and before another attack). The victim hopes that things can go back to the happy times and tries to please the abuser.

In Gilda's case, she falls in love with the Duke, who rapes her. Prior to the rape, the Duke shows kindness towards her in the form of professing "true love" for Gilda, something she is not use to hearing. When she discovers that the duke is in truth a womanizer, she believes that she can please him by letting him live to have more women by sacrificing her own life.

In addition (and digressing from the Stockholm Syndrome theory), I believe that this opera has an underlying Wagner theme: woman being redemption for a man. If you think about it, the Duke was meant to die that night, and he would have if Gilda were not there to die in his place. She gave him a second chance at life--perhaps she hoped that he would no longer be a womanizer (although no one will ever know exactly what was in Gilda's head at the time). While the Duke, assuming that he stay in character, does not change his womanizing ways, Gilda is still his chance at redemption in that he is still on the earth to purify himself, if he so choose.

Just my musings on the topic of Gilda's love for the Duke and some symbolism behind her death. Feel free to disagree.

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