1. Irony of her Name: Queen Bella's name, typically associated with beauty, ironically contrasts with her actual physical attributes. She is described as "not beautiful, but men often thought her so." This discrepancy between her name and appearance creates an ironic twist that underscores the superficiality of her society.
2. Obsession with Beauty: Queen Bella's obsession with beauty and her endless quest to maintain it satirizes the excessive emphasis on physical appearance in courtly circles. Her elaborate beauty rituals and constant need for validation mirror the societal pressures faced by women in a patriarchal system.
3. Inane Concerns: Queen Bella's concerns revolve around trivial matters such as her looks, clothes, and banquets. Her lack of interest in more substantial issues, like governance or the well-being of her subjects, highlights the shallowness of her character and the priorities of her royal court.
4. Vanity: Queen Bella's vanity is a key satirical element. She constantly seeks praise for her beauty and feels threatened when others receive attention. This vanity is mocked and exaggerated through her reactions to characters like Buttercup and Fezzik.
5. Superficiality: Queen Bella's interactions are superficial and focused on maintaining appearances. She judges people based on their outward attributes rather than their inner qualities, emphasizing the superficiality of the "in" crowd and the social norms of her fictional kingdom.
By presenting Queen Bella as a satirical figure, William Goldman critiques the frivolous nature of certain courtly circles, the societal obsession with beauty, and the superficiality that can permeate aristocratic cultures.