The Angel and the Devil

Judith Beheading Holofrenes (detail), Caravaggio

Look at her face. The confusion, pain and anguish are present on her face. The delicate lines of a woman that is pure, loving and moral. She is beautiful and elegant. Some may say that they way Caravaggio painted her was angelic. However, the detail is taken out of context. Look what she is doing. Now, in the true meaning of the story she is still quite the just woman, but lets keep looking at this without the intended story and through the 21st century view. Judith is a woman whom for all intents and purposes is an angel, yet her dead is devilish.

Judith Beheading Holofrenes, Caravaggio

Many women have seen this as a powerful symbol of female power and ability to take command and have the strength to overcome physical strength. It can be that as well. Please notice I am leaving out the original meaning to pursue my own needs of interpretation.

Time and again, I hear this comment. You look like and angel but you are the devil. This is usually after a great time of sex and mischievous fun. Upon looking at my creamy white and feeling my soft lips you would think I am an angel. I will paralyze you with pleasure, again, an angel. But then you do something to me, anything really, and you provoke the inner demon. My devilish lust takes over if you slap my ass or my face. Tie me up and you will find more of a fiend. However, you will not ever escape the dichotomy of me. You will always see and feel the angel and the devil, just like we see in Caravaggio's Judith.