Unraveling the Rat King Mythos

This chapter investigates the enigmatic figure of the Rat King within the context of holiday traditions and Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker.' It unveils the darkly imaginative origins of the Mouse King from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story and explores the metaphorical implications of the rat king in cultural narratives, particularly its ties to community and politics in post-Napoleonic Germany. Additionally, it delves into the eerie natural phenomenon of rats physically entangled by their tails, prompting discussions about the authenticity and lore surrounding this grotesque occurrence.