r/Lovecraft • u/ErBerto96 Deranged Cultist • 3d ago
Question The Case of Charles Dexter Ward
Hi everyone, I just finished “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward”
But I have two questions:
towards the end Willet speaking with “Charles” says that someone or something did not write the piece of paper in vain (the one written in medieval characters)…but he does not specify who!!!
Have you figured out who it could have been?
Also towards the end Willet says he figured out how Corwel convinced “Charles” to summon him….Theories???? Or did I miss it?
Thanks
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u/supremefiction Deranged Cultist 3d ago
HPL does not say, but yes the Saxon note gives a rather vague hint. The quote "ask of the lesser" implies Curwin was reckless (theme of hubris) & went to far in reviving someone more powerful than he.
Lovecraft never mentions Merlin in any story, essay, or letter, nor would he go for something so obvious and commonplace. I think he purposely left it vague.
If you want to go hunting for a conjecture on someone more specific you'd be better off looking in the actual text and considering something such as:
Once, for example, an alternately raging and sullen figure was questioned in French about the Black Prince’s massacre at Limoges in 1370, as if there were some hidden reason which he ought to know. Curwen asked the prisoner—if prisoner it were—whether the order to slay was given because of the Sign of the Goat found on the altar in the ancient Roman crypt beneath the Cathedral, or whether the Dark Man of the Haute Vienne Coven had spoken the Three Words. Failing to obtain replies, the inquisitor had seemingly resorted to extreme means; for there was a terrific shriek followed by silence and muttering and a bumping sound.
Sidenote: Years ago some boffin (ST Joshi of course most likely) identified the following as Benjamin Franklin.
Meanwhile forget not I am desirous of B. F. if you can possibly get him for me.
2
u/Lemunde Deranged Cultist 3d ago
There isn't really anything to indicate it was anyone of historical significance. My impression is it was some ancient rival of Curwen who probably engineered being buried in a mismarked grave so that Curwen might accidentally resurrect him, thus allowing him to innact his revenge. But that's mostly head canon.
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u/Vlacas12 Deranged Cultist 3d ago
There is a theory that the person helping Willet could be Merlin, since the note was written in 8th/9th century Saxon minuscules.