Carter's story "The Bloody Chamber" is almost a retelling of the story of "Bluebeard", which is a French tale. The Marquis in Carter's story is a reflection of Bluebeard and almost repeats his actions exactly. The Marquis murders his wives, he murders them when they disobey him and enter the room he forbids them to see, therefore responds in 'punishing' them which could be viewed as an act of dominance over the women. The disturbing feature to this character is that he has no remorse for what he is doing and feels no guilt, he believes he is acting in a way of love "There is a striking resemblance between the act of love and the ministrations of a torturer". The Marquis is repeatedly having a controlling affect over the narrator in the story, for example he gives her jewellery as a gift which is similar to a dog collar which makes her appear to belong to him as a possession/pet, "His wedding gift, clasped around my throat. A choker of rubies, two inches wide, like an extraordinarily precious slit throat." this ruby choker is immensely Gothic and symbolises and foreshadows the Marquis' violent and murderous nature.
The Marquis is also described in an extremely animalised manner "his dark, silver mane", describing his beard as a "mane" is relating him to a lion, which again foreshadows the violent nature of the Marquis and how much dominance matters to the man, it also plays a role in making him seem like a predator and making the narrator appear even more fragile and destructible- like the lion's prey. Despite of this, the Marquis isn't described often and is a mystery to the reader- his appearance neither his past are discusses greatly which conveniently make him a very suspicious character; which fits his role as the villain. The Marquis' favourite room in his castle is the "bloody chamber" which he keeps his corpses, the room is dark and gloomy yet he treats it like a museum for his 'prizes' almost.
Towards the ending of the story the Marquis presses the chamber's key against the narrator's forehead which results in leaving her with a blood mark shaped as a heart, this symbolises men's controlling behaviour towards women and degrading women into objects and possessions- the mark upon her head is a mark of the Marquis' property. Carter includes this to show the readers men in a light where they are cruel and irrational in taking a woman's independence and therefore, takes control of their lives. Carter purposely makes the Marquis' actions extreme to enhance her view on women's unfair treatment in society from men, she uses the Marquis to get this opinion across by using him as a representation of all men so in return the readers/audience will almost feel sorry for the women and the narrator in the story which therefore results in the feminist element of the story being fully noticed and acknowledged.
In conclusion, The Marquis is presented as a psychotic character who commits murders only upon his wives, practically identical to Bluebeard, and finds disturbing pleasure from doing so. He is a symbol for all men in Victorian times for men's treatment of women.
