I don't know if it has been noted before (my apologies for
the repetition > if so), but I wonder if the rumour of the king escaping
disguised as a nun > can be a reference to the historic fact of Alexander
Kerensky's (Russia's > last prime minister deposed by Bolsheviks in 1917)
escape from Petrograd, > disguised as a woman. > >
Sergej
Dear Sergej
Your suggestion reminds me that in
American history there is also the little known incident of Abraham
Linkcoln arriving in DC after his election to the presidency disguised as a
woman.
But if the Kerensky reference was intended, why substitute "the
nun" for "a woman"? I almost thought I had found a link - in a biographical
sketch of Mikhail Romanov, third son of Alexander III, I found reference to an
escape "disguised as a Red Cross Nurse" - then the Russian sestra/sestra
(nurse/nun) might be significant. But it turned out to be his wife in the
disguise. The Grand Duke did not escape.
But nun disguises appear to be
popular (at least on the internet) among several classes of people: mobsters;
people fleeing mobsters, drug dealers, Hollywood and British comedians and
prostitutes. There are also those flagrant dragsters, the Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence.
The disguise also figures in three operas: Wagner's
Lohengrin, Schumann's Genoveva * and Rossini's Le Comte
Ory.**
I couldn't discern any links to Pale Fire in any of
these. Do you?
Carolyn
* In both of these operas the nun disguise
is taken by women **As Act II opens, Ragonde
(the duenna) is again duped by Ory¹s last-ditch attempt to enter the castle,
this time disguised as a nun. He and his men cleverly claim to be a
religious pilgrims seeking safe shelter after having been pursued by...Count
Ory! In a delightful drinking scene when the men are left alone to dine, having
gained entry to the castle (and, properly staged, they are still dressed as
nuns), Ory¹s sidekick Raimbaud describes the wine cellar in a long allegory
comparing the wine regions of those bottles he found waiting to be conquered
a prospect even greater than defeating the "Sultan Saladin" -- and the men
enjoy the fermented fruits of his theft. But Ory can¹t waste much time on
drinking -- especially after he learns Adèle¹s brother is due from Palestine at
midnight. The countess's honor is saved by Ory¹s own young page, Isolier, who
has sworn chaste allegiance to the lady and who confronts his master in her
bed-chamber, disguised as Adèle: Isolier reveals his identity after Ory tries to
make love to him. Ory admits defeat and beats a hasty retreat from the
castle with his men, as the female inhabitants rejoice at their husbands¹ and
brothers¹ triumphant return.