A Court of Mist and Fury
Chapter 40
by J, Maas, SarahThe chapter opens with a vivid description of the mortal queens, highlighting their diverse ages, appearances, and temperaments. The eldest, dressed in deep blue, exudes authority and resilience despite her wrinkles, symbolizing experience and strength. The middle-aged queens present contrasting personalities—one gentle and the other stern—dressed in black and white, hinting at their contrasting kingdoms and possibly their alliances. The youngest queens, one cautious and the other strikingly beautiful, symbolize vitality and potential. The portrayal emphasizes that outer appearances and societal roles are secondary to their inner qualities and the power they wield, setting the stage for a tense diplomatic encounter.
The scene shifts to a formal meeting in an expansive sitting room, where Rhysand and his companions arrive to meet the queens. The queens’ guarded demeanor, along with their stoic guards armed with oversized swords, underscores the underlying tension and the potential threat of hostility. Rhysand’s calm confidence and strategic diplomacy are evident as he begins the conversation, subtly asserting his authority and testing the queens’ resolve. Morrigan’s imposing presence and her connection to the legendary War add an element of historical weight, heightening the gravity of the meeting. The scene underscores the delicate balance of power, diplomacy, and the potential for conflict.
The dialogue reveals that the purpose of the meeting is to warn the queens about an impending war and to seek their aid—a plea for support from a territory that appears indifferent or unprepared for the coming threat. The eldest queen dismisses the importance of the small territory, viewing it as insignificant in the grand scope of the continent. Her pragmatic, cold attitude contrasts with Rhysand’s moral stance on the value of innocent lives, creating a clear tension between their priorities. The queens’ responses reflect their strategic and pragmatic approach to war, prioritizing resources and the larger good over individual lives, which underscores the political and moral dilemmas at play.
In the final moments, the chapter emphasizes the urgency of the situation. The queens’ dismissiveness and their focus on protecting their own interests reveal a stark reality: they are unwilling to commit resources or risk their territories for the greater good. Rhysand’s appeal to their sense of morality is met with cold practicality, illustrating the divide between their worldviews. The chapter concludes with a sense of foreboding, as the mortal queens’ indifference and the queens’ pragmatic stance threaten to leave the vulnerable populations unprotected in the face of looming war. This sets the stage for the difficult choices and sacrifices that lie ahead.
FAQs
1. Question 1
How are the mortal queens described in terms of their appearance, age, and temperament, and what do these descriptions suggest about their roles or personalities?
Answer:
The mortal queens are depicted as a diverse group, varying in age, coloring, height, and temperament. The eldest queen, wearing a deep blue embroidered wool dress, is characterized by brown skin, sharp and cold eyes, and visible wrinkles, suggesting wisdom, experience, and perhaps a hardened demeanor. The middle-aged queens are opposites: one dark and sweet-faced, the other light and granite-like, with contrasting expressions—smiling and frowning—implying differing perspectives or personalities. The youngest queens are younger, with one being cunning and observant, and the other, the most beautiful, is described as having golden, curly hair, amber eyes, and a lithe, graceful body, likened to a lion—symbolizing strength and allure. These descriptions highlight their varied backgrounds, temperaments, and possibly their influence within their realms, emphasizing that age and appearance do not define their power or significance.2. Question 2
What is the significance of the golden queen’s appearance and demeanor, and how does it contrast with the other queens?
Answer:
The golden queen is portrayed as the most beautiful and vibrant, with golden curly hair, amber eyes, and sun-kissed skin dusted with gold, embodying grace, allure, and strength—likened to a lion in human form. Her appearance exudes confidence and dominance, and her body language—lithe and supple—suggests she is a formidable presence. Her demeanor, including her subtle mocking smile when discussing winnowing and her direct engagement in the conversation, underscores her role as a powerful and possibly intimidating figure. This contrasts with the other queens, who are described as more stoic, reserved, or cautious—such as the eldest, who is cold and wrinkled, or the middle-aged queens, who seem more distant or formal. The golden queen’s vibrant, commanding presence signifies her as a leader or a symbol of beauty and authority, setting her apart from the more reserved or aged queens.3. Question 3
How does Rhysand’s approach to the queens reflect his diplomatic strategy, and what does his interaction reveal about his character?
Answer:
Rhysand’s approach is calm, respectful, and subtly confident. He begins by expressing gratitude for their acceptance and politely inquires about the missing sixth queen, indicating respect for their customs and hierarchy. His choice of words—such as “We are grateful” and “Where is the sixth?”—demonstrates tact and diplomacy. Rhysand’s subtle humor, like joking about Feyre’s crown, reveals his ability to use wit to ease tension and establish rapport. His mental communication with Feyre shows strategic awareness, as he maintains mental shields to avoid triggering wards, indicating he is cautious yet clever. Overall, his demeanor reflects a composed, strategic, and confident leader who values diplomacy but is prepared for confrontation if necessary, highlighting his complex, layered personality.4. Question 4
What are the different attitudes towards war expressed by the queens, and what do these attitudes reveal about their characters and priorities?
Answer:
The queens display varying attitudes towards war. The eldest queen is pragmatic, stating they have been preparing for war for many years, indicating a sense of duty and readiness. The golden queen dismisses the importance of defending a small territory, viewing it as a waste of resources, which reveals her pragmatic, perhaps indifferent, attitude toward the human lives and the territorial importance. The eldest’s view that sacrificing a tiny territory might be acceptable to save the majority underscores a prioritization of strategic interests over individual lives. Feyre’s plea about the human lives at risk contrasts with these attitudes, emphasizing her compassion and moral concern. The queens’ perspectives reveal their differing values—some prioritize power and resource management, others are more detached or pragmatic, highlighting the complex political and moral landscape they navigate.5. Question 5
In what ways does the chapter explore the themes of power, perception, and diplomacy, and how do these themes influence the interactions between the characters?
Answer:
The chapter vividly illustrates how power is expressed through appearance, demeanor, and strategic communication. The queens’ varied appearances and expressions reflect their individual power and influence, while Rhysand’s calm diplomacy and Feyre’s composed posture exemplify strategic interaction. The subtle exchange of words, glances, and mental communication underscores the importance of perception—each character seeks to gauge and influence the others’ intentions without overt confrontation. The golden queen’s mocking smile and the queens’ measured responses reveal underlying tensions and the importance of diplomacy in navigating these differences. These themes influence interactions by emphasizing the need for tact, subtlety, and understanding of unspoken cues in power dynamics, ultimately shaping the outcome of their negotiations and the potential alliances or conflicts that may arise.
Quotes
1. “The mortal queens were a mixture of age, coloring, height, and temperament. The eldest of them, clad in an embroidered wool dress of deepest blue, was brown-skinned, her eyes sharp and cold, and unbent despite the heavy wrinkles carved into her face.”
This opening description highlights the diversity and complexity of the queens, setting the stage for their varied personalities and the underlying tensions among them, which are central to understanding their political dynamics.
2. “But this one, this beautiful queen, perhaps no older than thirty … Her riotously curly hair was as golden as Mor’s, her eyes of purest amber. Even her brown, freckled skin seemed dusted with gold. Her body was supple where she’d probably learned men found it distracting, lithe where it showed grace. A lion in human flesh.”
This quote captures the Queen’s striking beauty and strength, emphasizing her role as a powerful, almost predatory figure, which underscores the theme of appearances versus true power.
3. “War is coming. We called you here to warn you—and to beg a boon.”
This pivotal statement encapsulates the chapter’s main tension: the imminent threat of war and the urgent plea for aid, framing the chapter’s central conflict and the stakes involved.
4. “No. That—” Rhys drawled, “Surely the loss of even one innocent life would be abhorrent.”
This moment underscores the moral dilemma faced by the queens—balancing strategic indifference with the recognition of individual human lives—highlighting the chapter’s exploration of ethics in wartime decisions.
5. “Then let the High Fae of Prythian defend them.”
A chilling and decisive statement that reveals the queens’ dismissive attitude towards human lives, emphasizing their prioritization of resources and power over individual innocence, and marking a critical turning point in the chapter’s argument about the costs of war.