By Dominik Goodman

The Colonel’s Character in the Ghost Sonata is built entirely around Strindberg’s belief that most authority is fake, and fueled by nothing but empty medals and honors that hold no true stake in reality. Throughout the Colonel’s appearances in the play there are a number of symbols meant to exemplify this falseness in his character.

The Signet Ring

According to the international Gem Society, the history of the signet ring as a significant symbol of status dates back to the Ancient Egyptian traditions nearly 4000 years ago, often indicating social, political, and/or religious roles of those wearing them. They were again seen in Ancient Greek culture but rather as simple adornments. The final and most prevalent usage of the Signet Ring is during the European Renaissance:

“Businessmen involved in trade, skilled artisanal workers, and landowners all commissioned rings that bore their seals, initials, or some symbolic mark reflecting their profession. As in the past, these rings were used to sign and seal important documents. They also served as status symbols.” (International Gem Society). The Colonel’s signet ring serves as a representation of his nobility in the show, following the traditions of the signet rings in society. Once the Colonel is unveiled as a fake, not only does he no longer have the status to deserve a signet ring, but also its use as a stamp or seal. 

The Coat of Arms

            The coat of arms is an historic symbol directly denoting the status, achievements, lineage, and combat prowess of a family. The coat of arms began and gained its name from the adornment medieval warriors wore over their shoulders, hence “coat of arms”. The symbol was used as a signifier for the male line of a family, being passed through a line of men in a family as opposed to simply the surname. These symbols were used in many places as a decoration and adornment in home and in battle. There was often a coat of arms adorning a knight’s shield. Within the context of the Colonel in the show, the coat of arms bears such significance because it denotes one’s family and military history; however, the symbol truly is just adornment. It’s meaningless decoration used as an identifier but means very little when detached from the wearer and bloodline. In the play the coat of arms is the only proof of the Colonel’s status as an established colonel in a bloodline of other established military personnel, making the removal of that aspect heavily important to revealing how fake he truly is.

Works Cited

https://www.gemsociety.org/article/history-signet-rings/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/coat-of-arms

https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/resources/faqs