Exploring Wonderland: The Queen of Hearts

Is the Queen of Hearts the cruelest inhabitant that Alice meets on her travels in Wonderland? She certainly appears to be bubbling with magma-hot rage for the most part in Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, and is wholly intolerant of her subject’s mistakes and mishaps, no matter how accidental or seemingly trivial.

Off with his head, almost becomes a catchphrase as her temper reaches boiling point, yelling at presumably the hardest working playing card in Wonderland, the Royal Executioner. No one would dare contradict her; the Queen’s powers of intimidation are far greater than the King’s, say, whom the White Rabbit doesn’t think twice about challenging during the trial of the Knave. 

No, the Queen of Heart’s rule is absolute. Sentence first, verdict afterwards is a cornerstone policy of the tyrannical monarch’s reign, and the reason The Hatter, The March Hare, and indeed, Alice, find themselves in such hot water!

“Alice thought she might as well go back, and see how the game was going on, as she heard the Queen's voice in the distance, screaming with passion. She had already heard her sentence three of the players to be executed for having missed their turns!”

Inspiring your garden

Picture your garden as the colourful kingdom of Wonderland, with neatly-trimmed hedges and anthropomorphic playing guards dotted across the landscape—and at the centre of the realm, the Queen of Hearts—a dramatic, awe-inspiring presence that captivates and inspires in equal measure.

A handmade bronze Queen of Hearts sculpture, influenced by Lewis Carroll’s original story and the timeless hand-drawn illustration of John Tenniel, can be a wonderfully theatrical addition to your outdoor space. For those who like nothing more than to become lost in the pages of classic literature, stirred by the heart-warming powers of nostalgia, this could be the garden feature you’re looking for.

Rewrite the chapters of this enduring tale, bring the beloved characters to life, and transform your garden into your very own Wonderland. Why not get in touch and see how we can help?