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Tuesday 3 May 2016

Q stands for Queens

'The Queen of Hearts' was a poem  based on the characters found on playing cards, originally, thought to be by an anonymous author. 



 The Queen of Hearts,   

 She made some tarts,

 All on a summer's day;  

 The  Knave of Hearts

 He stole those tarts,

 And took them clean away.



The King of Hearts

 Called for the tarts,

 And beat the Knave full sore;      

 The Knave of Hearts

 Brought back the tarts

 And vowed he'd steal no more.







Several Poets have laid claim that they have written this amusing little poem including Charles Lamb, but I feel this has Lewis Carroll written all over it!  In Alice's adventures in Wonderland  'The Queen of Hearts' was depicted as a foul tempered, tyrant, ruler of Wonderland . Her solution to every problem is to order a beheading
 before the day is out, she would often be seen and heard shrieking all over Wonderland....'Off with their head' ! Fortunately for many The Griffin explains, that her orders never seem to be carried out, as the King, who sits quietly in the background, rescinds them.

The Kings confidante... The Griffin.. to the right of Alice.
King and Queen...The King looks rather genial whilst the Queen looks rather fierce!

An amazing story, when I read it as a child I found it rather scary, but  after seeing the Disney movie, I understood it a lot more , it really has hidden depths, sometimes a little sinister...Off with,their heads !

My sincere thanks to the Quick witted Denise who, without Question, in devising Abcw, has brought so much pleasure to so many bloggers worldwide.

 Also I must thank Roger our Quiet and Quick- witted 'admin man' works tirelessly week in-week out, to keep us all connected!

 Lastly, but not least, our thanks to the team of people who help with the visits and generally considered the Quintessence group of enthusiastic ABCW'ers.

Best wishes.

Di.

 ABCW team.








27 comments:

  1. I have heard that Alice in Wonderland was a Political Statement of the times.
    The Queen of Hearts was always a bit scary to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read that too, also scrolling down through the statements here Leslie heard that on a radio programme, I have read that it was a drug induced story...so we shall have to draw our own opinion... I'm inclined to believe it may have been a drug induced story!
      thanks for stopping by and commenting.
      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  2. I know the story (ofcourse) but i have often wondered what the 'meaning' of it realy is... still not found out ;-)

    Lovely entry Di... take care

    Have a nice abc-wednesday-day / - week
    ♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melody, I have often felt it was a drug induced tale,
      Lewis Carroll, real name (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson}.
      He was a Mathematician and Anglican Deacon.
      He didn't like women much but related to children,
      more easily.
      This isn't to say he was perverted in any way, at the time Oxford Dons were expected to be celibate. He was a friend of the dean of his Oxford college, Henry Liddell and godfather to one of his daughters Alice. He took a boating trip down the River Thames with Alice and her sisters and there he made up the story and dedicated it to Alice.
      I prefer to believe this story of the origin of this fantastic tale!
      Best wishes,
      Di.
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  3. Wonderful and colorful choice for Q ~ Great childhood poem!

    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks carol, kid of you to say,
      Regards,
      Di xx

      Delete
  4. I don't know, but I do agree that it sounds like something Carroll would have written. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Arnoldo, thanks for your comments,,,Yes definitely Lewis Carroll.
      Blessings to you my friend,
      Di xx

      Delete
  5. Came in from Cherie. I forgot about this poem. I'm a crib player and the Jack is known as nibs.
    If you fine the time stop by for a cup of coffee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Peppylady,
      Good to hear from you and thanks for your comments,
      I've heard of the expression 'his nibs' which relates to smebody referring to some body who is, or thinks himself superior to others, It is often used in a slightly sarcastic tone !
      I've never played crib so can't really comment.
      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  6. When I hear "the Queen of hearts" it makes me think of Diana, who wanted to be the Queen of hearts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Gattina,
      she was a very caring lady, she was such an icon, i was so sad when she died, She would be very proud of her two boys they are fine young men..
      Best wishes,

      Di.
      ABCW.

      Delete
  7. Thanks Di for this delightful story and poem. I also believe that this is written by Lewis Caroll. It's his style. Have a nice week and weekend . Today we commemorate the people who died in WW II and all the other wars .
    Tomorrow we celebrate our liberation from the Nazis.
    Wil, ABCWTeam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wil,
      Always good to hear from you and thanks for your kind comments.I shall think of all the people who lost their lives in futile wars may they Rest in Peace.
      I will also join you, tomorrow, in celebrating your liberation from the Nazi's God Bless you and all your Countrymen.
      Best wishes,
      Di, xx

      Delete
  8. Poems and pics both are complement each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murthy:
      Good to hear from you, thanks for your comments,

      Best wishes,
      Di x

      Delete
  9. I was listening to the radio one day as I was driving somewhere when I heard a conversation about all the double meanings within the story of Alice in Wonderland. Fascinating! Very political...

    Leslie
    abcw team

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read that somewhere Leslie but if anything I think it could be opiate induced and during Lewis Carrol's day they were legalised drugs and it seemed that a quite a few writers and painters etc were hooked on opiates.
      Love Di xx

      Delete
  10. I just love the artwork in the Queen of Hearts!!!! A tart sounds pretty good right now.
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ann,
      it really is outstanding artwork...
      my mum used to make the most divine
      Jam tarts and marmalade ones too,
      most delicious!
      Thanks for stopping by, always good
      to hear from you.
      Di x

      Delete
  11. Huh. I always ASSUMED it was Lewis Carroll!

    ROG, ABCW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure your assumed thought is correct Roger.
      I've been doing a bit of research on Lewis Carroll
      quite a clever and complex character so when next
      opportunity arises I shall write more about him.
      Cheers Di xx

      Delete
  12. I had no idea others claimed to have written this poem. Always thought it was by Lewis Carroll. I still think of this queen as the one portrayed in a 1930s movie of Alice in Wonderland. The actress did her quite frightful.

    I appreciate all you well wishes, Di. Love ya.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Su-sieee!
    I am particularly pleased to hear from you considering all, The Mama will be smiling from her scented garden as she watches you go about your daily doings, The internet is a great place to make good friends.
    I have lots of support from people when I've had upset...
    Lots of love and hugs,
    Di xxx PS
    I'll look out for the 1930's movie, xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. 'Queens' also refers to a gorgeous sequence in bell ringing, when a team reaches a certain change which you'd probably recognise from weddings etc, but I'm a bit hazy now, as I haven't rung the bells for thirty years...

    http://www.heatons.fsnet.co.uk/Ringing/Articles/CCPeals.htm

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cu ambele, puteți solicita și licita satta king play bazaar pe locuri de muncă online de toate tipurile. Multe dintre ele sunt scris concentrat. Dacă sunteți un scriitor rapid, care compune piese de calitate, puteți face foarte bine!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Play bazaar
    satta king it is important that they share tasks around the home so they feel they are contributing.

    ReplyDelete

I usually like to reply to your comments but for some reason when i do post a reply it just diappears, any advice would be most welcome,Thanks Di x

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