Best Served Cold?
Ice, kitchen knife, candle, black fake roses, leaves, velvet robe
Inspired by the movie The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
My image explores the concept of revenge that is central to the plot of the movie. The dish is frozen, playing on the expression "revenge is best served cold." But as the protagonist learns in the film, revenge is never without emotional cost--it is never really served cold. The knife wrapped in black roses is a cultural symbol for curses and revenge. The protagonist spends decades of his life in prison after being betrayed and falsely accused by his best friend. Even when he is released from solitary confinement and escapes prison, he is internally isolated. The one burning candle represents his isolated life. I placed my dinner setting on purple velvet, which symbolizes the wealth and riches the protagonist accumulated in order to exact his revenge on his former friend. There are three roses to represent the three characters involved in the revenge plot: the protagonist, his enemy, and his true love. This love triangle is what caused the antagonist to betray his friend, so the knife (also a symbol of betrayal--being "stabbed in the back") separates the protagonist from his love. However, the candle also melts the ice near the roses. The protagonists' heart begins to warm toward his enemy by the end of the film. Though the protagonist gets his revenge, his life back, and everything he ever wanted and deserved, he feels regret and sorrow for his enemy. No character is left unscathed by the end.
