#ludovika von baden bismarck

[stupidneko]

Ludovika, the woman you are 🫠

[stepmarchen]

Animal Motifs in A Stepmother's Marchen

I'll be breaking down the (main) characters and their respective animal motifs in A Stepmother's Marchen. Potential spoilers ahead.

Shuri: Rabbit

Animal Characteristics: Gentle, Kind, Swift, Alert, Patient

Visual Symbolism: Split hair = bunny ears, large round eyes

Story Motif: Shuri is literally a prey animal caught in a world of predator animals, including her children. While her nature is gentle, she doesn't hesitate to fight against injustices done to her or her family. While headstrong, Shuri often requires help from her stronger (physically and politically) allies to help her overcome or escape various conflict.

More Below

Nora: Wolf

Animal Characteristics: Adaptable, Brave, Loyal, Wildness, Intuitive

Visual Symbolism: Dark hair, blue eyes, often seen wearing informal (messy) clothes, Nuremberg Crest = Wolves

Story Motif: Nora is a lone wolf amongst the Nuremberg Family and prefers lurking in the shadows. While he seen as wild and brooding to those he dislikes, he is loyal and eager to please to those in his favor. He is quick to adapt to social situations and observes his opponents from afar before striking.

Jeremy: Lion

Animal Characteristics: Confident, Aggressive, Direct, Stubborn

Visual Symbolism: Golden hair, Feral grin, Neuschwanstein Crest = Lions

Story Motif: Jeremy has shown himself to be self-confident and aggressive, choosing to use his fists over mental tactics to get his way. He is fiercely protective towards his family and is a natural leader among his peers.

Theo: Eagle

Animal Characteristics: Tenacious, Authoritative, Egocentric, Leader

Visual Symbolism: White hair, golden (single exposed "eagle") eye, Baden Bismark Crest = Eagles

Story Motif: While Theo is distinctly selfish and possessive, he puts forward a facade of humility that is expected of a future leader. He is guilty of using underhanded methods to get what he wants, even at the expense of his subject of desire (Shuri).

Richelieu: Raven

Animal Characteristics: Prophetic, Transformation, Intelligent, Cunning, Partnership, Guidance

Visual Symbolism: Black hair, eye bags, long black robes

Story Motif: Cardinal Richelieu has once experienced "rebirth" and follows a deep devotion towards God. He works at the hand of nobody but often gives mysterious words of (sometimes manipulative) advice to others. He has expressed an interest in partnering with Shuri in recent chapters.

Ludovika: Swallow tailed kite

Animal Characteristics: Divinity, Freedom, Awakening, Playful, Transformation

Visual Symbolism: Split hair = split tail

Story Motif: Ludovika was initially a commoner turned Empress, with a bright personality and desire for power. Johannes has expressed a desire to cage her, but since her death, she has flown beyond his grasp.

Bonus: Alberon as a fox(?) and Everette as a chipmunk

[stepmarchen]

do you know if there are any real persons, places or even events that asm plot/characters could be based on ? spice&kitty uses a lot of historical events and characters in her novels (how to get my husband on my side for ex) i did some researches and i found some good similarities between theo and Ludwig II of Bavaria , places such as Neuschwanstein Castle , Nuremberg state.....

there are! they are largely unconfirmed but i have some theories! (i will speak about locations later, i have separate plans for that one!)

It's difficult to be 100% certain whether Spice&Kitty took direct influence from these historical moments but there's some strong implications. I'll put my theories below!

1. Affair of the Necklace (1785): It's the story of Cardinal de Rohan, who was swindled into purchasing a diamond necklace on behalf of Queen Marie Antoinette (unbeknownst to Marie herself). Unable to pay the 1.6M livres, he was tried as a fraudster and punished, but not before exposing the woman he believed was his sponsor, Marie Antoinette. Although she was guilty of plenty other crimes, it was the nail in the coffin that led to her eventual beheading.

There's two connections we could make here: 1. Shuri being put to blame for promiscuity over necklace(s) that she was never connected to in the first place. 2. Corrupt cardinals like Meissner willing to drag royals (Theo) down to hell with them.

2. King Henry VIII and Anna Boleyn (1536): Anna Boleyn was the second wife to King Henry VIII. Despite being in love during their early encounters, Anna was eventually convicted to a majority of charges, including but not limited to treason and incest (w/ her brother), and was sentenced to death.

This one's a little more on the nose. A King executing his own wife after discovering an incestual affair? Sounds about right.

3. Eleanor of Aquitaine and her two Kings (1137-1204): According to historical accounts, Eleanor was a bright and adventurous lady who clashed with first husband, the straight laced King, Louis VII. Eventually their marriage ended and Eleanor found love with King Henry II, Louis' rival, who was massively powerful in France. Seeing his rival and ex get together, Louis became extremely angry and this would be the start of a long-lived rivalry that lasted even with their descendants.

We don't know if Johannes and Max were rivals during their friendship together, but we do know that Ludovika was the girl that managed to catch both of their hearts. Not to mention the similarities in their personalities: Free-spirited Ludovika choosing Max's reign over Johannes' reservations and call to duty. Meanwhile, all this continuing down the line with their children, Theo and Jeremy.

that's all I've got so far, but feel free to share your findings about Theo and Ludwig II!