Exploring thoroughly modern taboos
In 17th-century Tuscany, a church play is performed for the benefit of young aristocrat Cosimo. In the play, a grotesque old woman gives birth to a beautiful baby boy. The child's older sister is quick to exploit the situation, selling blessings from the baby, and even claiming she's the true mother by virgin birth. However, when she attempts to seduce the bishop's son, the Church exacts a terrible revenge.
virgin
baby
rape
bishop
miracle
surrealism
priest
religion
church
avant-garde
birth
death
dismemberment
tuscany, italy
story within the story
17th century
infanticide
metafiction
cannibalism
sibling murder