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In ballet, objects often serve as more than simple props, embodying symbolic powers that create narrative and emotional depth. This paper explores the poisoned shawl in August Bournonville’s “La Sylphide”, as a pivotal object that intertwines fate, desire, and tragedy. Far from being a simple accessory, the shawl acts as a catalyst for the transformation and demise of the protagonist. Woven with magic, it symbolises the destructive power of unattainable desires and the perilous consequences of human ambition. The shawl’s presence on stage transcends its materiality, becoming a manifestation of the themes of illusion and adversity. By tracing the shawl’s movement from an enchanted object to an instrument of death, this paper will analyse its role within the broader context of Romantic ballet, where objects frequently embody the supernatural forces that shape human destiny. Through this investigation, the paper aims to highlight the shawl’s significance not only in the ballet “La Sylphide”, but also in the broader narrative tradition of dance, where objects often serve as silent, yet potent storytellers, shaping the course of events and the fate of characters.

Natalia Cimpeanu is a Romanian dance professional with a passion for performance and education. She holds a BA (Hons) in Ballet Education from the Royal Academy of Dance in London, and she completed her MA in Dance Teaching and Coaching Professionals at Zurich University of the Arts. Throughout her career, she has performed with European companies such as the National Ballet Theatre in Romania, the Zurich Opera House, and the State Theatre Bern. Currently, she teaches ballet at the Ballet School of the Zurich Opera House, where she works to inspire the next generation of dancers. Natalia’s background as a performer deeply informs her teaching and her academic practice. Natalia’s ambition is to connect the past to the future while remaining anchored in the contemporary dance society and observing its needs.