Mutilated Body as a Symbol of Versatility in Life

Under the rigid order and form enforcing itself upon man during the time of the Renaissance, name, reputation, status remains in strictly hierarchical. Individual bodies are often forsaken for the “greater whole,” that which maintains society built and evolved in the conscious effort of mankind. Mutilated bodies displayed on Renaissance stage, like that which is shown in the image above, serves as a symbol of versatility of meaning “a body” holds, its implications on life, death, and what is beyond them as well. In comparison to how a single event, such as that of Don Andrea’s death in The Spanish Tragedy, embarks various perspectives accordingly to the relationship to the individual can embark vengeful thoughts and actions or on the other hand go barely noticed in the form of a simple report to the King of Spain, stands parallel to feelings and consequences that can be ignited upon violations on a single body.