“Bewitched” – Katherine Laurencio

The image shown consists of masks that were worn during Japanese traditional theater performances. The names of each of these female masks are Ko-omote, Namanari, and Hannya. I chose this image because it reminded me of how I perceived the antagonist, Manago. She was first described as a beautiful woman who was “bewitchingly voluptuous” (Bewitched 633), relating to the first mask shown. It shows that she is a only a mere “human”, using her beauty and persuasive words to anyone that would listen and fall prey to her, like Toyo-o easily did when he first met her. The middle mask is the next in line in showing Manago’s true self. She has definitely lost part her beauty but is not full demon. I would relate this mask to when Manago inhabited Tomiko’s body and was soon found out by Toyo-o. “Though her appearance was different, her words were spoken precisely as Manago, the devil, would have spoken them. It was her voice!” (Bewitched 645).  While she was not exactly in her demon form, part of her demoness was showing because she was growing delirious by Toyo-o’s attempted escapes from her. He could now see that, while she was still the alluring young woman he was first attracted to, she was truly a demon. The last mask corresponds to the event when the priest attempts to catch the devil with his mere magic potion. In an attempt to protect herself, Manago, as a serpent, attacks the priest, thus showing her true horrifying colors. It can no longer be said that Manago is a harmless female when she has finally shown her demonic mask.

3 thoughts on ““Bewitched” – Katherine Laurencio

  1. Katherine,
    I love this choice of masks as a way of thinking about “Bewitched.” Obviously, the demon employs a mask in order to trick and seduce Toyo-o. However, we can also understand the wearing of masks metaphorically as a way of understanding how people present themselves in the world or perform roles in their lives.
    JS

  2. Katherine,
    I find the image that you chose to be really unique in your comparison to Akinari’s “Bewitched”. I really like how you compared the three different masks to the antagonist, Manago, and how Manago evolved throughout the short story. The quotes you used to describe why you chose the image of the three masks were very clear. I really like what you wrote, but I also really appreciated the image you were able to find. good work.
    -sam

  3. Katherine,
    I’m a fan of your comparison here. I like how you think that Manago’s true form is the middle mask. She appears to be both good and evil at different points in the story, so both her human and demon form show. I believe that you have effectively characterized Manago here, great job.
    Regards,
    Brandon Green

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