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Katharine Ashe on Masks and Mischief
Just in time for Mardis Gras, author Katharine Ashe talks masks and all of the delicious trouble that happens when we don a disguise.
Do you remember the ball scene in Romeo and Juliet? It’s one of my all-time favorite Shakespeare moments, for two reasons. First, the ball is when the young lovers meet and fall into infatuation. Their words, their gestures, their desire for each other — so immediate, so intense — take them lightning-fast from touching, to teasing, to kissing. From there it’s an intoxicating spiral of emotion into full-blown love.
Delectable.
Second, I love this scene because in order to enter his enemy’s house, Romeo arrives masked. In disguise he believes he’s safe. He has no idea that he’s never been in greater danger. A paper mask, after all, is a feeble barricade against the power of love.
In a gorgeous rendering of that moment in the play, in the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli film, Romeo wears the mask until he sees Juliet. At that moment he removes it and she sees his face.
In seeing his face — his eyes full of her — she sees the real man behind the mask, heart stripped of disguise, vulnerable and ready to fall.
The story is, of course, set in an Italian city. Italians love wearing costumes, especially for their most famous of holidays, Carnevale — Mardi Gras.
I remember the first time I visited Venice during Carnevale. There were masks everywhere. No one was recognizable. You couldn’t tell the Venetians from the other Italians, or the Italians from the tourists. Old men were young, young men were girls, and girls were ancient sorceresses. Even the city wore a mask; confetti covered all, sprinkling pristine stone with rainbows of glitter that tangled in hair and floated on the canals like stardust come to earth.
I think masks are the biggest reason people love Mardi Gras. Sure, the holiday is about good food and drink and out of control partying. But Mardi Gras is much more than overindulging and cutting loose.
It’s about inversion. Turning the up side down, and the in side out. During Carnevale, poor men strut like gods while rich men fade into crowds. Peasants feast like kings and fools speak like wise men.
It’s insane.
But I write romance. And in the thrilling cliff-dive of falling in love, a little insanity can be a really good thing.
So I adore a hero in disguise, especially a disguise that flips everything we expect of an alpha hero on its head. Such a disguise convinces everybody he’s harmless, only to reveal — when it is most dangerous — that he is nothing of the sort. Nothing at all.
In my new book, When a Scot Loves a Lady (available one week from today!), London spinster Lady Kitty Savege has vowed to give her heart to no man, and she’s certain she has the measure of the Earl of Blackwood. He’s everything she doesn’t want: barbarian, rogue, incorrigible flirt. Yet every time he comes near, she is entirely at the mercy of her desire. She just can’t keep her hands off him.
So she fights it. He does too. With reasons of his own that include a secret mission, the earl resists and resists and resists. But their rational minds are no match for passion. And when his mask finally falls…
Insanity. The best kind.
Happy Mardi Gras!
Have you ever hidden behind a mask for a party or Mardi Gras, or perhaps for some bigger reason?
Katharine Ashe is an author of historical romance and a professor of European History. Visit her website to learn more.
Hi Katharine!
As you can probably guess, I absolutely can’t wait for When A Scot Loves a Lady! And what a fun post!
Venice during Carnevale sounds amazing! It makes me think of Chasing Liberty, and the scene when Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode’s characteres are running around Venice and trying on masks. They looked so beautiful and intricate-true works of art
Except for a stay Halloween party here and there, don’t think I’ve ever had occassion to wear a mask. Now I feel deprived, lol.
Now I’m going to get symbolic and metaphoric for a minute and say to a certain extent, I think we all wear masks from time to time, especially when we are in new and unfamiliar situations. We try to blend in and act like those around us to fit in, and we are careful to try to make not make a bad impression and not step on anyone’s toes. It’s a way of staying annonymous and protect ourselves when we feel vulnerable.
Hi, Lisa! I think you’re so right that we all wear masks occasionally. I know very few people who show exactly the same face to every person they encounter. As for me, I kept it secret from my colleagues in academia that I wrote romance for far too long. It’s good to have that mask off!
Happy Mardi Gras!
Great post, Katharine!
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras or Italy. *sad sigh* One day I *will* remedy that!
I have always loved romance novels (like yours!!) where a hero or heroine’s mask is literally or figuratively stripped away–it makes them so vulnerable to the person they are revealed to.
Can’t wait to read your Hot Scot book!
Thanks, Marquita! I hope you get to celebrate Carnevale or Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in style sometime soon!
This article is really a nice one it helps new internet users, who are wishing for blogging.
Your blog also reminded me of The Scarlet Pimpernel with the whole idea of presenting a persona to the world that’s far-removed from the truth. Personal deceptions or masquerades, I think, could be classified as a motif since the idea crosses cultures and genres. The wolf in Little Red Riding Hood is yet another example of deception.
I agree with Marquita that part of the fun is seeing how those masks are stripped away and what is revealed–good or bad!
Laura, I agree! In fact, Lord Steven Ashford, the hero of my first novel, Swept Away by a Kiss, was strongly influenced by the Scarlet Pimpernel. And he did it all for the woman he loved! Perfect.
Love this post! You know, when I had a layover in New Orleans several years ago, I took a mad dash tour of the city, spending 3 hours flitting from one tourist spot to another before having to get in my chariot, er, cab and return to the airport. That day I ate half my weight in awesome food, took in the sights, and walked away with exactly one souvenir: a gorgeous sparkly baby blue mask
One day I will find somewhere to wear it, and I shall be a mysterious and enchanting goddess…or maybe a slightly more daring romance writer 
Can’t wait to read the new book!!
Erin, I would *love* to see you wear that mask! It reminds me of that teen romance movie, A Cinderella Story, when the heroine is desperately looking for a costume to wear to the Halloween dance and comes across a beautiful lace mask. Everything else in her costume was inspired by that little mask.
Thanks for commenting!
I’ve never hidden behind a mask…and I don’t think I’d like if a man hid behind a mask. I’m very practical and like having info and control I guess…no mystery, no hiding. I like it only in fiction.
Catherine, I understand you completely. It’s fun how in fiction we can experience (and experiment with!) things that we probably wouldn’t want to do in real life! Thanks for commenting.
Hi Katharine, I’ve never been to Mardi Gras or, hidden behind a mask. However, I have hidden outside a pub window with my friend years ago in England. She suspected that her husband was cheating on her, so she asked me to go with her and follow him. We did, and we saw him through the window kissing and cuddling with another woman.
My friend, with the greatest of elegance, marched into the pub, picked up his 
He was shocked, and everybody in the pub was stunned. I was shocked too, but didn’t blame her one bit. 
I really enjoyed your post, and look forward to reading “When A Scot Loves A Lady”.
Hi, Diane. How completely awful for your friend! And I really can’t blame her for reacting as she did. Better to face it head on than to hide the awful knowledge. I’m glad you were there to support and comfort her.
Some of my sentence was cut off. It should have read “with the greatest of elegance, marched into the pub, and picked up his beer and poured it all over his head”.
Hi Katharine
I love your books & just bought In the Arms of a Marquess (ok, I’m slow). I’d this bk in my wishlist & was feeling guilty after my last book buying spree but after reading your post; hang the budget! I’m getting it.
Hi Katharine, Congratulations on your new release! I am so looking forward to reading it.
I have never attended a Mardi Gras or Carnevale but I once had the lovely experience of browsing through a wonderful shop that featured only hand made, custom masks in the Venitian style. It was a tiny store tucked approriately into the gallery at the Venitian Hotel in Las Vegas. I expected it to be a tacky little venue selling cheap immatation masks but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they specialized in one of a kind ornately beautiful and unique designs based on the medieval originals. I loved the experience!
Hi Katherine, thank you for your lovely post. I never wear any mask to the party because I never got a chance to attend mask party, but i believe it must be quite fun to attend mask party and hide behind a mask:)
I love masks. There is a loss of the shackles of who you are and it frees your inhibitions. From being quiet and reserved to a flirt looking for a moment. I loved masked parties, sure some knew who you were, but others had no idea.
The first book I remember and love is The Scarlet Pimpernel. Action, adventure, espionage, and romance. All due to a disguise. I also am reminded of the musical of Phantom of the Opera (the book wasn’t as kind to his character as the musical) where the intrigue, the heighten moments that leave you breathless all with the mask on.
My husband and I visited New Orleans once to “absorb” it all. No, it wasn’t during Mardi Gras but we did have fun anyway. Of course, we went to Bourbon Street one evening for the “required” Jambalaya and to listen to the music. At the time, I was in my 50s and a breast cancer survivor. At the taunts of people on the balconies, I pulled my top up and “shook ‘em” at the people. I got huge cheers and lots of beads. One of the beads had a “biker chick” on it. I am so proud of it and would do it again in a flash. I also bought myself a beautiful mask with feathers all of which are proudly displayed on my wall. Life is too short, so you have to get out there and do something outrageous now and then!
I’m truly looking forward to reading WHEN A SCOT LOVES A LADY. Sigh! Hopefully, the heroine will peek under the hero’s kilt! I’m so naughty today!
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Thanks for the lovely post!
Congrats on the new release!
I’ve had this book preordered for my Kindle. Can’t wait! I love masks on other people, especially the Mardi Gras/Carnevele masks, but can’t wear one myself, claustrophobic
Goosebumps, I love the sound of your new book! There is something about being behind a mask, it can make them seem more innocent…or more dangerous.