A Perfect Circle - Rose Lyrics Meaning
This song has many allusions that nobody has touched on here. The William Shakespeare allusion, although I do not remember which work it comes from, is most likely an accurate reference so Kudos!
Now during the first verse, Maynard emphasizes four words. Beast, Goat, Snail, and Rose. I may not be 100% accurate with this, as it is sort of abstract, but I am doing my best here. The Beast is no doubt a reference to Satan, or a "devil." The Goat is most likely a reference to Baphomet, a Pagan deity that was thought to be a Satanist Cult followed by the Knights Templar. Continuing with religion, the Snail, who is eating a rose, could be a reference to the seven deadly sins: Sloth and Gluttony. The seven deadly sins stemmed from Catholicism, which is funny because the Rose was a symbol for the Virgin Mary during the Middle Ages. Funny how Maynard just KEEPS bashing religion, eh? And to show homage to anon, "What, I, Will-I-Am." Maynard slurs the last three words, which may be an attempt to bring up William Shakespeare, who was rumored to be a Catholic.
So enough about allusions. I stated several small pieces of information and gave no insight to why they were used. Maynard had a deeply troubling childhood, so could his references to the Beast, the Goat, the Snail, and the Rose be references to his childhood? Regardless, the verse is merely about being terrified of what will happen if one was to 'disturb the beast,' which was most likely his father figure.
The next verse focuses on the struggle to find one's self. Maynard claims to float with the wind wherever it goes, as well as being tossed like a rag doll. He hides from the world, so as to not be seen/heard, changing himself to be what the world wants him to be.
Maynard finally reaches his "teenage" years, and stands up for himself, almost yelling that he will no longer be used/abused by those who pushed him around. If they others wanted to start a fight, so be it. Maynard would just have to finish it.
The last verse is definitely the most effective. Maynard is reflecting on his decision, and is INSISTING to himself that it was the right thing to do. The only question remaining is:
Was it?
