{"id":46104,"date":"2025-12-07T00:00:21","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T05:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/?p=46104"},"modified":"2025-12-07T18:51:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T23:51:49","slug":"figura-obscura-mouse-king-addendum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/2025\/12\/figura-obscura-mouse-king-addendum\/","title":{"rendered":"Figura Obscura Mouse King addendum"},"content":{"rendered":"

We only shared part of the text from the Mouse King's<\/a> packaging in today's review, so here's the full thing:<\/p>\n

<\/span>\"Mouse<\/p>\n

Based on Alexandre Dumas' 1844 short story, which is itself a retelling of an 1816 publication by E.T.A. Hoffmann, \"The Nutcracker\" is a ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky that debuted in 1892 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. While not initially a success, The Nutcracker has since become one of Tchaikovsky's most famous scores and a holiday staple of ballet companies worldwide.<\/p>\n

While there are significant differences between the versions of \"The Nutcracker,\" the one which the ballet is based on, and the most commonly known variation of the tale, begins in Nuremberg, Germany on Christmas Eve. It is here that an old toymaker and inventor named Drosselmeyer presents his godchildren with a number of gifts, including a nutcracker. That toy quickly becomes the favorite of young Clara and she is heartbroken when it is accidentally damaged by her brother. Drosselmeyer vows to repair the nutcracker, and while the rest of the family retires for the evening, Clara returns to the parlor to watch over the toy.<\/p>\n

As the clock strikes midnight, Clara is surprised as the Christmas tree and the rest of the room begin to grow to dizzying heights. A flood of mice begins to pour into the room from under the floorboards, led by their sovereign - the Mouse King. A ferocious warrior with 7-heads, the Mouse King sees the Nutcracker and immediately challenges him to a duel.<\/p>\n

Realizing the threat before them, the toys in the room come to life to face the mice and protect Clara. The Nutcracker takes command, leading an army of gingerbread men and tin soldiers against the rodent army as he personally faces the Mouse King in battle.<\/p>\n

Although he fights valiantly against his foe, the Nutcracker's wounds threaten to be his undoing, and the Mouse King presses his attack knowing that his opponent is injured. Worried that her champion is about to fall, Clara throws a slipper at the Mouse King. The blow distracts him long enough for the Nutcracker to land a fatal blow and end the threat of the mouse army and their ruler... or does he?<\/p>\n

The original 1816 version of this tale includes a passage stating that the Nutcracker \"slipped from his arm the seven golden crowns of the Mouse-King,\" presenting them as proof of his victory. However, we never see the body of this creature or any definitive evidence of his demise. Could this 7-headed ruler of the mice have survived his encounter with the Nutcracker? Perhaps he is hiding somewhere in the darkness, building up his vermin army as they wait for the chance to rise from the floorboards once again and continue the tale of \"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.\"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And if you'd like to watch the ballet, here it is being performed at the same theater where it debuted over a century ago:<\/p>\n