I could not agree more. There is one other victim: Assisa's former husband, David Wevill, who seems a decent and compassionate man. He would probably have welcomed her back, and raised up Shura as his own child. Of course, this is only speculation. But that's the impression that he left. Decent and kind. Not the lit match of Hughes, but a good man.
I absolutely agree there are several victims in this tragic story. Ted Hughes seems to be the masked wolf. In regards to Assia, she is among the victims, though there is absolutely no doubt that her actions led to the victimhood of Sylvia, her previous husband and daughter, Shura. She must be held accountable for those deaths and depressions, regardless of her eventual end.
Finally, a video showing who Ted Hughes truly was. There are so many videos in YT celebrating their “beautiful romance”. In reality, he was awful to her.
Ted Hughes had extraordinary talent. He was considered a good-looking man. Most men of that description are apt to be very promiscuous (although they CAN control it if they really try).
As much as I dislike Assia, I feel like the real monster here is obvious. Ted was an awful man. But Sylvia will be remembered with love, at least I hope so. And the poor little girl… breaks my heart
And the poor man assia cheated on her and ted are both villans after all what she did was disgusting and what he must’ve done 2 make both assia and sylvia do what they did hughes and assia are both horrible
Shura was conceived while Assia was living with David Wevill. When the baby was born, Ted Hughes was listed on the birth certificate as the father, but David Wevill gave her his surname. I know that Ted Hughes is usually assumed to be the father, but I can't help but see a strong physical resemblance between Shura and David Wevill. What's heartbreaking is that neither man, in the end, would claim paternity. And Shura was cremated along with her mother, so there's no way to ever know the truth. As appalling as Assia's decision to kill Shura was, I get why she might feel (under the circumstances) that the child had nowhere to go. But that doesn't excuse Assia. Shura was an individual in her own right, and deserved a chance to live. She was betrayed by every adult around her.
05:50 She began writing the novel "The Bell Jar" in 1961, but it was not finished until after she'd separated from Ted. It had been rejected by several publishers but was eventually published under a pseudonym (Victoria Lucas) in January 1963- one month before she committed suicide. She was ill, separated from her husband and in need of money. The mediocre reviews were thought to have further contributed to her depressed state... No one could have imagined it would become one of the biggest selling and widest read novels of all time.
I have very little sympathy for Assia. She was in the habit of ruining lives and she hurt Sylvia horribly. And her reaction to Sylvia's death was breathtakingly cold.
I'm listening to the new Sylvia Plath bio (Red Comet)... it's really good. I'm so sickened and saddened by the details of her story, esp. the misogyny, cruelty and disregard of her "psychiatrist" ... and that a toxic narcissist like Ted Hughes completely ruined what was left of her hope and her heart. She tried so hard to fight for her independence and her mental health, but the weight of the world was too much for her. She was such a lovely woman and amazing artist.
I wouldn’t call Sylvia’s poetry “rough.” She was a superb craftsperson and artist. If you mean that her poetry dealt with raw emotion, that’s different.
She was quite horrible to Sylvia and seemed to gloat over Ted's choice and Sylvia's pain. The tragedy is that she murdered her child. Poor Sylvia. Left by her husband with two small children in a country not her own and with a history of depression. Ted was a selfish a-hole and deserved all the backlash he got. Thank goodness parental responsibility and obligations are now more equal. Feminism accomplished many good things now taken for granted.
Assia is clearly not the victim here. She was complicit in the affair and the suffering of Sylvia. She is awful and should be remembered as such. Not as disgusting as Hughes but still far from a decent person.
She got karma. Ted treated her as badly as he treated Sylvia. And Brenda, and Carol and the list goes on. Assia died lonely, alone and scared, hence why she took her daughter with her.
A reversal of roles. The mistress replaces the wife and inherits Ted's deep psychological emotional abuse he gave to the woman who loved him before her. Assia knew the flaws in his character and the neglectful and abandoning side of his personality and she still played that vile game with him that lead to Sylvia's depression and suicide. She was a Jezebel
What a well researched video, thank you for sharing. Death loomed large over Hughes without doubt. A narcissist, abuser, adulterer - I dare suggest that he may also have been so incredibly jealous of Sylvia, a brilliant poet in her own right.
She was also a victim. Of undiagnosed mental disorders, herself, the times she lived in, and Ted Hughes. Ted propagated victims like he did shits. He was that type of person who is a sucking black void. Never filled, but an emotional vampire.
I knew enough to bring me to tears before, but this has ended it all for me. i will never read Ted Hughes again. Heartless!!! i've since read ,what i had never read before, Sylvia's earlier writings of hardcastle crags, the great carbuncle, and Wuthering heights which are all stunning and i feel equal or surpass anything by Ted Hughes
they wrote together, when young. its fascinating to read their early work together. i dont think her early stuff exceeds his, but i think she would have become a great poet if she had stuck with it. his crow poems are remarkable. i think her work helped him reach those heights. if you havent read his birthday poems to her, you should.
@@evelaing3483 i have them here(Birthday letters), still reading through them,. Its all too easy to blame him, so i held off, not due to overt feminist reactions or determinations of events, but based on not knowing these people as some think they do? but , in all respects he is no innocent and whatever their personality types or mental stability-which we , here and now, can not really judge- he was part of or even at least ambivalent of his actions and selfishness. To think that a woman of her talent loved you, has two children by you, and you have an affair with a woman who comes into your home 0n trust- is unforgivable...but then it repeats again??? this is the clincher of any argument in his favour or innocence. He is always seen as a writer of nature also -THAT HE LOVED IT? but my reaction to first hearing of his hunting trips even when a boy, was of the boys i knew who did this kind of thing; they were scum, brutal, and did not want to appreciate creatures beauty that had no defences against humankinds domination. i was right in my first estimation of him, and this played out in character towards women also i believe. This is based soley on the available information
I met Hughes once at a dinner table at Listowel Writers Week with other prominent poets. Looking at him I thought, he isn't here at all. Having watched this I can understand why. It struck me how far away he was or just totally disinterested, narcissistic, a chiseled face and dominant presence I never heard him say a word at that dinner. The coldness of his presence affected me as in other men and women I had met throughout my life, they were all like a fire you could get no warmth from. That is my memory of Ted Hughes.
Tysm for sharing this. Do you remember what year you met Ted? Does Ted, former Poet Laureate, have a place in poet's corner at Westminster Abbey? Does Sylvia have a place at poet's corner? Ty again.✨🕊️
What a brilliant video! Thank you so much. This seems to me to be a fated story. It couldn't have been otherwise. I can't help finding Ted Hughes a totally self centred character, He was clearly irresistible to women and exploited that to the full. RIP all the tragic characters in this drama. For those interested in Sylvia Plath, Kate Moses has written a wonderful novel called Wintering.
TH was a narcissistic misogynist. It is unreal that anyone considers his relationship with either of those women "romantic." Poor Sylvia. Poor Assia. Those poor children. Thank you for this wonderful account of Assia's life.
Assia is one of the very few people I have no empathy for, even as I try to see things from her perspective. I have some pity for Ted; losing a child to Asia's selfishness was his karma. I do hope he never enjoyed one more moment of joy in his life. I feel so bad for Sylvia's children. Assia must have felt like a cheap imitation of Sylvia, which is very sad. But she knew she was taking on a married man with children; her consequences were earned. When she took her own life, she went one step beyond Sylvia's suicide by killing her own child, and this is where my sympathy ends. Suicide is a selfish act, but Sylvia took great lengths to ensure her children would survive and be found by either the nurse she hired or her neighbor. Ted was a villain, but he lived to endure his guilt and faced the anger of many. That doesn't justify anything he did to help the mothers of his children to their early graves. At best, his life serves as a warning to horny young men.
he didnt care about the child, if anything he was glad she was out of his life for good; he was the ultimate example of how great evil can be done without breaking a single law...
Assia was married the whole time she was having an affair with Ted. About 7 years. She wasn't certain who the father of Shura was. Within days of getting a divorce she was dead.
Fuck Ted Hughes honestly, I just think Sylvia was so fucking brave, she could've *easily* been selfish and took her kids with her since Ted was off living a bachelor's life, Sylvia had no guarantee that Ted would step up and take care of them, but Sylvia still knew that it was wrong to take her children with her when she so easily could have, I'm sure she didn't want to die alone. Assia is the age old tale of what comes around goes around, she went around treating men like this and as soon as someone did it back to her, she caved like a fucking soggy pie. Ted Hughes knew how to elasticate women, because for assia she too easily trusted the race but not the longevity, what did she expect? You other another woman but expect to be the one and only once competition is eliminated. I honestly don't think she felt anything about Sylvia and what she did to her until she was told to move into that house and could see that she couldn't just wash Sylvia away.
Probably one of the saddest and tragic stories I have heard about famous couples. Unfortunately this seems to be more common for writers and poets. They seem to live for drama and have an incredible capacity for self deception. I think Ted had an attraction for fatale women but in the end He was the fatal man.
I very much, agree with you they think 🤔 that drama, and chaos contribute to their writing, unfortunately artistic people are prone to depression. I like to read literary biographies.
Yeah well, feminists hated him for years, Ariel makes it all very clear, you can't really have your cake and eat it too, all very sad, his son also committed suicide I gather. I can just about remember that winter of 63
she took the life of her own child. "Terrible men" can drive us to a lot of frenzy but being so weak that you resort to threatening and acting out suicide is just giving up your own agency. And to kill your child - thats deep malevolence that no one else can instill in you. Assia did it and in a sense Plath did it also, opening that window on her sleeping children high up in that building and that unusually cold weather. And taping the door closed! And she is deified for it 💔
Amazing! Thank you! Assia was insane and had to deal with her karma. the flat was still occupied by Sylvia's spirit. Her energy was still there. And it's not recommended to wear clothes, jewelry etc from people who are deceased bc it can have a neg.affect on you. But Assia was so obsessed with Hughes and the fact that she could not take Sylvia's place that she didn't care.
That's nuts. She was just an insecure mess because she knew she'd never live up to Sylvia. That's what happens when you steal a cheater. Not recommended by whom? Antique and thrift stores everywhere would beg to differ.
😮😢I never 🤔 knew Assia wore Sylvia's clothing. Definitely a BAD 💡 idea. Most of my preppie wardrobe in the 1980's came from the best Orange 🧡🍊 County thrift shops and I never shared my secret. I never knew the people who previously wore my clothing. Never had a problem. Assia, Ted and possibly Sylvia needed to go to Confession and maybe needed to consult a Roman Catholic Exorcist. Maybe Shira and Nicholas would have been saved from their sins. Harsh opinion, maybe. Therapy could not 🚫 come close to healing 🩹 this threesome. May God's forgiveness heal them and let light perpetual shine upon them ALL. Life is hard!!!🙏✝️✨🕊️✨💐
This was a brilliant video. So haunting and tragic to consider how the same behaviours continued after Sylvia's death. Thank you for a well-researched and thoughtful take
How could Sylvia's letters to her psychiatrist be written in the "mid-sixties" when Sylvia died 11 February, 1963? I've been a fan of Plath's work since my first reading. The story of Assia and her child with Hughes is incredibly sad, but leads me to ask the question that haunts this tale... "What kind of monster was Ted Hughes really?" I also believe that he was jealous of Sylvia's work.
"Jealous of Sylvia's work"? Number One: Hughes was the much bigger poetry star at the time of her death. Even Plath bowed before his talent. Number Two: Prior to the severe emotional pain of her separation from Hughes, Plath had not written anything great, just academically "very good." Nothing memorable. (Don't believe me? Try remembering or quoting anything of hers pre-1962.)
@@8angst8popularity doesn’t equal quality and poets are very aware of that. Also men like this (aka narcissists) can’t stand their partner being talented. You don’t need to be famous to bruise a fragile ego.
Bravo Sam! Excellent work . Among other things this is a story of male entitlement. Maybe it will not be as prevalent in the younger generations as it was in the past. The series Madmen is a great example of this. Women like Sylvia, gentle, kind hearted, bravely perceptive, were punished socially and psychologically and often still are. Although they courageously bared their souls to give us some of the most beautiful poems that encourage our honest interaction between our hearts and the truth, it was a raw place for them to exist in. It's a difficult posture for these poets to hold. Killing each other by proxy is more common than we think. Getting close to someone and then dissolving their will to live is a method of murder far more sinister than any crime of passion. For generations, men were raised to believe that nothing was more important than their own desires, however fickle. Odessa wasn't an honorable person either but the story goes that the two major lovers of Ted's life committed suicide. One took his child along. That's a dark story. Hope you were gratified Ted.
I completed a Master’s degree in poetry and literature at a time when ALL the full professors were men. Ted Hughes was lionized. Though we studied Plath, I did not even know she was married to Hughes! Things that were emphasized were exactly the “Mad Men”-era type, when these professors would have been young men, absorbing all the elitism and sexism of their own professors. Hughes’ work was considered “muscular,” while Plath was “eccentric.” It went on and on. At that time, however, women were questioning the prevailing narrative. When Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale started to pierce our collective consciousness, none of these professors would teach it! I wonder what Sylvia would have thought of that book…? What a great loss. Well done video!
Really well done. Is something I've been interested in. Ted Hughes seems to have done this with most of his partners. What a mess affairs can create, tragic in these circumstances.
That was fascinating. I'm a mega Sylvia Plath fan but didn't know all the details around Assia. I don't know whether to dislike her or feel sorry for her. Thank you for that.
CASE SUGGESTION: I didn’t see a case suggestion link so I thought I comment here and see if you notice it and would like to make a RUclips video or TikTok about it because I would love to bring more awareness to this case for Amy and her loved ones. Love your content btw 😊 The case of Amy Velasquez Amy was a 5 year old girl who was brutally raped and murdered at the hands of a 21 year old Anguilla native named Ashton Lake. This case happened back in 1983 in my hometown island called Sint Maarten. Amy was just about to celebrate her 6th birthday the day after she was killed. After he killed her, he tied her up and threw her body into the lagoon. It was reported that right after getting rid of her body, he went to a bar for a drink with his accomplice as if nothing happened. I haven't seen much information about the person he was with when he committed the crime, other than he was there helping him break into people's houses before they broke a window by Amy's house where they took her from her bed. I haven't even been able to find a mugshot of her killer either. It bothers me and many other people that have heard of the crime because it is as if the law is protecting his identity. After serving 38 years behind bars, her killer requested his early release. Today I found out through a local news report that his request has been granted and he will officially be a free man in July 2022 (he is now 59 years old). He served his years on another island called Curacao but once he is released he will be sent back to his home island of Anguilla, which is just short boat ride away from Sint Maarten where he committed the crime. I read articles where it was reported that while he was in jail, he felt no remorse for what he did, in fact other prisoners said that he was practically bragging about it. I also saw that a psychologist was the one that gave a statement that he or she feels that Ashton wouldn't commit this type of crime again after so many years so there is more than enough good reason to let him go but I personally call that bullshit. There isn't that many articles about Amy's story but there is just enough to at least explain what happened. Sint Maarten doesn't get that much media attention when it comes to crimes like this and I'm not sure if Amy's families are aware of people that spread awareness for victims on their own youtube channels, podcasts etc. But since I'm a big fan of true crime and I'm familiar with many people that have big platforms like those, I thought I would try and help her family spread awareness as much as I can. This case is already horrifying as it is with what happened to Amy but knowing that there still isn't any justice for her and the fact that this monster is being released, makes me even more upset. Being from an island, you grow up in a very close community where everyone knows everyone so when this happened it was like everyone lost a little sister, cousin, granddaughter or a daughter of their own. I wasn't born until 1998 so this happened way before my time but once I was old enough, I remember my mom telling me about Amy's story and it wasn't until recently when I was scrolling through facebook and I came across the gofundme page her sister Jennifer created when I really saw details on what happened on that horrible day. My mom was very close with Amy's family and she'll never forget how Amy's murder shook the whole island and its people. I don't know if anything more can be done in terms of getting Aston back in jail but with you having such a big platform, I thought at least getting the story out there to a bigger audience, it might open some eyes and maybe get the judge to reconsider their choice on releasing this monster. Although I never got the chance to know Amy personally or any of her family, I empathize with them a lot and I just know that no matter how much time has passed, their pain will never go away. I can understand how important it is for them to get Amy justice so I really want that to happen. As I mentioned before, there isn't that much coverage on the case other than a couple links online. You can find some information by typing in her name and maybe adding in Sint Maarten and the date of the crime. Hopefully you are able to get some information. If you need me to, I can directly send you some links via email of the case. (My email is krissxm@icloud.com or you can contact me at my school email KaBarras@knights.ucf.edu) Like I mentioned previously I also saw that her sister Jennifer made a go-fund me page trying to get more attention to the case but unfortunately didn't meet the 5,000 signature goal. She was 14 when her sister was murdered and has been the one trying to get attention to the case ever since so maybe you could reach out to her directly for more information if you choose to talk about Amy's story. I'm not too sure how she would feel about it but based on articles and the way she wrote about Amy's story on the gofundme page, I feel like she would truly appreciate your help. Ashton Lake is a rapist and murderer and he deserves to spend the rest of his life rotting in prison. I don't care what a psychologist said and in all honesty I don't think they are actually thinking properly. I study clinical psychology at UCF and even though I don't have my degree just yet, I could never hear about this story and willingly say that this man won't do this again. He feels no remorse and he will never change. It's only a matter of time before he commits another crime like this to someone else. I've been living in the U.S for quiet some time now since I became a U.S resident and I've noticed the differences with how America handles crimes like this compared to Sint Maarten and it shouldn't be that way. I don't think enough justice is given to these victims and it's just wrong and it should change. With Ashton being released without anyone really knowing what he looks like now, it gives him even more chances to hide in the shadows and maybe get away with committing a crime like this again to someone else today. I worry so much for the people of Sint Maarten and Anguilla, especially the children and I just want justice for Amy. I attached a link of an article explaining the story a long with for Amy’s Gofundme page that her sister created: Article: stmaartennews.com/news/velasquez-family-fiercely-opposes-early-release-for-amys-killer-ashton-lake/ GoFundme: www.change.org/p/justice-court-st-maarten-curacao-justice-for-amy-velasquez-brutally-raped-and-murdered-1983-in-st-maarten
Good luck ! The " Justice " system offers no redress to the victims . Whether in UK , Europe , Canada or anywhere considered " civilized ". What punishment can undo the terror / agony of the victim's final moments or their families years of pain. ? I have no answer but the present system is not fit for purpose.
@MrFrampo56 true, this is not about the video, rather a request for another story to be publicised. But who would call something related to highlighting the murder of a 5 year old child nonsense?
its childish to see him as the big bad monstrous man and Plath as a delicate genius who was done wrong. people who view it so simply usually arent dedicated readers of poetry, but merely relish the drama. Plath revelled in her victimhood. she's the mother of late feminism of our time, in which everyone whines they've been done wrong, and wants protection. she had a toxic, narcissistic habit of half-hearted suicide attempts. this one destroyed her childrens lives. her son eventually hung himself. she was volatile and abusive, most likely - destroying furniture, books, manuscripts. what kind of poet destroys another poets writing? this last fake suicide attempt betrayed her calling, her children, her mother, her husband, to whom she was reconciling. she seriously endangered her kids lives that morning. Frieda was old enough to get out of bed: she could have fallen out the window or opened the door, thru which gas was leaking. she could have choked on the food left there, or hurt her brother.
@@joejones9520 an early version? from the people factory? no : ) they are very different people. Men and women will inadvisably smash things, at times. this doesn't make them of one breed. As for school - Plath went to Smith, and then Cambridge. Hillary went to Vassar, i think.
There are only 2 people left out of this whole saga - Frieda Hughes who went on to become a famous artist and poet herself, and Carol Hughes (Ted's 2nd wife) who was with him the longest, for over 40 years until his death. She still lives in the house in Devon featured in this video. Tragic story of this family well portrayed in this video.
I just last night read Frieda's book of poems "Forty Five"---- absolutely UNimpressed with her as a poet. I feel for her, in a passive way, for having to deal with her parental legacy. But she's not a good poet. As for The Widow Carol Hughes: Apparently, she's constantly the victim of intruders on the Court Green property; I feel bad for her for that. But then she also cut Frieda and Nicholas (prior to his suicide) out of their father's will after his 1998 death. She apparently, according to Frieda, wasn't the nicest of step-mothers, even prior to Hughes's death.
@@iolitelight published in Britain in 1963 as written by , the nom de plume, Victoria Lucas. it was published in the USA , against Sylvia's wishes, in 1971.
I know you siad at the end what if they hadn't of rented the flat what would of happened but it would of happened to some other poor girl! Unfortunate these women crossed this monsters path! You narratived this wonderfully
I like how you were still fair to all of the characters in this story, even though they clearly weren’t the most likable people based on their actions.
Wow. Amazing job, i cant believe it has only 10 thousand views!! The research youve done is just jawdropping. I Hope you will get some more attention cause you surely deserve it!!! Xx
What a sad sad story. Gosh I didn't even know about her. But trust me, schools haven't taught correctly in decades. Anything of Sylvia's that I read and poured over,was self taught.
This was an excellent and informative video ! Thank you for your clear presentation of what must have taken many hours of in-depth research to compile. I also think you did a wonderful of bringing understanding and compassion to both Ted and Assia, despite the objectively challenging behaviours they both, at times exhibited. I think you gave a really good, unbiased account of the information.
Hello, this is really well produced. You must have really dedicated some time and effort to this. Researching is enlightening. I never knew anything about Assia. But I never liked Hughes. I guess if he wasn't linked to Plath (who I adore) I would not have ever encountered his poetry. I also dislike how Plath is portrayed as this ultra-feminist. When in fact she wanted to be a mother and a wife. She only created her celebrated works after being denied the life she truly desired.
Ted had no part in Nicks death. Ted died from colon cancer and Nick who greatly loved his dad had a hard time after he died. Depression ran in both sides of Nicks family.
This is a very creepy comment section. Something about the Sylvia Plath story brings out a nasty gossipy streak in people. Frieda Hughes herself has gone on record to ask these Plath heads to leave her family alone.
As much as I tried hard to be empathetic to Assia as well. I can't deny the fact that what both Ted and Assia had in common was Narcissism. Also I felt sorry for Assia too towards the end but she had to suffer her Karma. The real victims were Plath and even most vulnerable a victim was little Shura .
@@Althom1990 I would say that ruthlessly pursuing a married man, then complaining about that same ex-wife you booted out of her marriage, then committing suicide and murdering your toddler lacks grace, but maybe I'm just pragmatic.
@@Althom1990 Maybe. But in the context of all she did in her life, judging it as a whole from her actions and their consequences, people are definitely side-eyeing the workings of Karma. Yes it's absolutely sad, but it was absolutely avoidable if she hadn't been so invested in only what she wanted. She made her bed, and even when it's a bed of nails we all have to answer for our decisions in one way or another. Her tragedy is no one's fault but her own. Edit: As is Ted's.
assia sounds like a psychopath ps as soon as you mentioned she might k word herself i wondered if she would copy Sylvia's method. not surprised she did.
It’s interesting that I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline and she/Sylvia Plath were only seven weeks apart in age, Patsy being older, and dying in a plane crash on Mar.5, 1963, just 22 days later. They were both born in 1932 and died in 1963, and were both 30 years old! Two great talents born and gone at about the same time. RIP to both.
@@t.m.a.3665 it isnt a curse. when you commit suicide it's statistically very likely your children will follow your example. she merely miscalculated - someone with a key to her home was supposed to arrive earlier, but due to the weather she ran late, and sylvia was found dead - instead of rescued. her previous suicide attempts were similarly staged, although i think she was not wholly responsible. her family, her professors, if they were looking, they would have seen her distress.
Thank you for this documentary on kids mistress I got hooked on the video actually movie of Sylvia and after watching the movie I spent several days listening to documentaries regarding Sylvia and thank you for this video which gives me a clearer version of text messages. The story of Sylvia and this woman is such a tragedy. Hey seems like Kid had a lot of issues that he never worked through that affected these two women to the point of ending their lives. Once again thank you for the research you did on this woman that helps us understandHer
also very sad is the fact that ted and sylvia's son took his own life as well. 3 people in the direct vicinity of ted hughes died by their own hand- makes a person wonder! i personally think ted hughes was responsible for sylvia's and assia's death, dont know enough about his son's death to say. very sad for his daughters, and his son.
Sylvia Plath's son, Nicholas, ended up developing depression and died by suicide in 2009. He may not have remembered his mom and her death, but I'm sure he emerged Assia and his murdered little sister.
yes and to be capable of what he did means there is no telling what other terrible things he did totally outside the realm of women and relationships, Im sure stealing would be fine to him, conning, murder even, if he knew hed get away with it. Sociopath.
@@joejones9520 was it so bad : ) these were beautiful and amazing women who were hounding him a bit. he should have been more responsible, but he was a poet, he wanted freedom, like in his childhood in yorkshire.
In addition I wanted to find out what happened to Ted and Sylvia son which I did to come to find that he committed suicide in Alaska at the age of 43. Do you think you could put a documentarian on this son of theirs and what drove him to suicide. It’s all too eerie
I'm NOT playing devil's advocate.... But the list of household duties and childcare instructions seems very practical. Assia seemed to need a bit of direction anyway.
If that horn dog had never met Assia, he would have inevitably found another port of call, but he at least might have hidden it better! I’m reading the 2004 edition of Ariel restored by Frieda Hughes. In the introduction, she states her intention to clear her father’s name of some of his sins by including the “not as good” poems he removed from the first editions and OMG Every single one of them refers to his infidelity and DV. And the miscarriage. And how much emotional pain Sylvia was in after losing that baby because of him. AND they’re all GREAT! That guy. UGH
😮😢 Just subbed. Read a lot on this " a bit crowded" threesome. Never knew Assia was DIRECTLY affected by Na8zis, which alters my psychological perception of her. One correction from my Mom/Mum, who earned her PhD in England, and knew someone who shared the protagonist's name, which is pronounced: "Ahh.shuh."
Excellent film. Well done. Towards the end I got confused as to cared and raised Sylvia's two children as the film only mentions Assia, Hughes and Shura as a family unit. Perhaps I missed something. I have googled but nothing seems clear.
Ted had slot of help from his sister. He remarried to Carol Orchard. She was 20. She helped raise the kids and had been their nanny prior to her marriage to Ted.
Just out of curiosity, since Ted Hughes inherited Sylvia plath's literary estate since they were still technically married, and he died in 1998 still married to the nurse he married in 1970 when she was 20 years old, does that mean that his widow controls the Sylvia Plath literary estate? I was just wondering because I remember the movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow being criticized at least in part as being such an obviously inferior project that the estate did not allow the producers the use of Sylvia's poetry, but they likely would not have been allowed the rights to the use of the poetry in any case if those fell to the widow of the ostensible villain of this piece.
TH was obviously attracted to creative, emotionally fragile women he could tyrannize and then he cheated on them. These women don’t deserve to be vilified. There was very little to treat depression and other mental illnesses effectively then.
Sylvia is buried near me. This is down to the narcissistic Hughes’s. His name is on her gravestone, but his name is regularly defaced. These great literary men so often treated the women in their lives so badly. It almost feels it was power for the course.
The phrase is "par for the course." And Hughes had Sylvia buried near his own family in the north because the couple didn't have roots in the cemetery near Court Green in the south of England. (As for the defacing: I think radicals have calmed down somewhat since the 1970s and are no longer defacing the gravestone.) As for "treating women so badly": As far as I know, Hughes was faithful to Plath for most of their marriage. Then he started to live up to his personal philosophy: "Do what thou wilt." The Devil (i.e., personal desires) took him over.
TH should have been a confirmed bachelor for life. Assia also. TH and Assia shouldn't have been parents either. They both sucked at all roles: Husband, Wife, Mother, Father. But the knowledge and experience gained Is always in a depressing retrospective
Almost finished Red Comet. Got to the part where Assia is introduced, i needed to know more. This vid, perfect timing. Given this is about Assia, not sure how Ted's possible physical abuse of Sylvia is relevant. If it is, you left out all of Sylvia's abuse toward Ted. Generally it seemed like uncontrolled anger, which resulted in her destroying things, like his sentimental items or partially finished work. Mutually abusive relationship. I dont see this as just a physically and emotionally abusive Ted driving two women to suicide, as the tone of your vid suggests. At least about Sylvia, I see patriarchy being the main villain , grating on her psyche her entire life. She needed support and stability as well as a man who'd only react to her chronic anger and depression with attention, affection and kindness. She seemed to always be on the brink. Back to Assia who may be guilty of exploiting two previous husbands to improve her personal station. Are we to believe she became reformed with Ted??? I think she felt ruined, unable to move higher, trapped with a child by Ted. I think Assia wanted her suicide to ruin Ted like she felt ruined.
He beat her and mentally tortured her. He beat her so badly she had a miscarriage. Sylvia Plath was so happy, according to her writings. He was a monster. Breaking items or tearing up work is nothing. He was screwing another woman and had left for over 12 hours for an hour meeting. I accuse Ted Hughes of murder and there are great examples. Figure them out
About Assia, I agree. She was an evil witch and she tried to ruin every man she came in contact with. Assia used all Sylvia’s things. I don’t believe she was as talented as she claims. I believe she, along with Ted, made sure Sylvia knew. Also the radio show he did not long before her death along with the evil Assia making sure she knew of her pregnancy. Shura, in some photos, looks so much like Ted. Ted’s parents live Sylvia because she was a wonderful wife. She cooked, kept house and loved Ted with joy. Her letters prove this true. I’m so happy more has come out. I pray more does.
Ted Hughes was a very selfish man. At the time of Assisas death TH was involved with two other women. He married 20 year old Carol Orchard and he remained married to her til his death. Ted had many affairs after marrying Carol. Asia was a very selfish person as well but she sure paid for it. Ted Hughes made her miserable in the end..
![Quando Rondo - Life Goes On [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eIf3fhMXAow/mqdefault.jpg)
What Ted and Assia had in common was narcissism and histrionics. Shura is the real victim here.
I could not agree more. There is one other victim: Assisa's former husband, David Wevill, who seems a decent and compassionate man. He would probably have welcomed her back, and raised up Shura as his own child. Of course, this is only speculation. But that's the impression that he left. Decent and kind. Not the lit match of Hughes, but a good man.
Sylvia and Shira. they never even knew each other.
That´s not the real truth, the victims were Sylvia, Assia and above all little and helpless Shura.
I absolutely agree there are several victims in this tragic story. Ted Hughes seems to be the masked wolf. In regards to Assia, she is among the victims, though there is absolutely no doubt that her actions led to the victimhood of Sylvia, her previous husband and daughter, Shura. She must be held accountable for those deaths and depressions, regardless of her eventual end.
No judgement there!
Finally, a video showing who Ted Hughes truly was. There are so many videos in YT celebrating their “beautiful romance”. In reality, he was awful to her.
Ted Hughes had extraordinary talent. He was considered a good-looking man. Most men of that description are apt to be very promiscuous (although they CAN control it if they really try).
@@denisenoe3702 they could try but unfortunately they are encouraged not to try.
@@evaphillips2102 Correct. They are encouraged to sexually exploit the female.
As much as I dislike Assia, I feel like the real monster here is obvious. Ted was an awful man. But Sylvia will be remembered with love, at least I hope so. And the poor little girl… breaks my heart
And the poor man assia cheated on her and ted are both villans after all what she did was disgusting and what he must’ve done 2 make both assia and sylvia do what they did hughes and assia are both horrible
All because this monumental narcissist couldn’t keep it in his pants. Sickening.
Stop trying to excuse assia.
@@Godloveszaza if you read me feeling sad about tragic deaths and calling out an abusive man as "excusing assia" that's 100% on you.
Sylvia had a whole history of suicide attempts before she met Ted.
Poor little Shura. Clearly, this little girl is the real victim here. It just breaks my heart.
Right!
Shura was conceived while Assia was living with David Wevill. When the baby was born, Ted Hughes was listed on the birth certificate as the father, but David Wevill gave her his surname. I know that Ted Hughes is usually assumed to be the father, but I can't help but see a strong physical resemblance between Shura and David Wevill. What's heartbreaking is that neither man, in the end, would claim paternity. And Shura was cremated along with her mother, so there's no way to ever know the truth.
As appalling as Assia's decision to kill Shura was, I get why she might feel (under the circumstances) that the child had nowhere to go. But that doesn't excuse Assia. Shura was an individual in her own right, and deserved a chance to live. She was betrayed by every adult around her.
There ARE families that will adopt older kids. Someone might well have taken Shura in and helped her to a good life.
05:50 She began writing the novel "The Bell Jar" in 1961, but it was not finished until after she'd separated from Ted. It had been rejected by several publishers but was eventually published under a pseudonym (Victoria Lucas) in January 1963- one month before she committed suicide. She was ill, separated from her husband and in need of money. The mediocre reviews were thought to have further contributed to her depressed state... No one could have imagined it would become one of the biggest selling and widest read novels of all time.
I have very little sympathy for Assia. She was in the habit of ruining lives and she hurt Sylvia horribly. And her reaction to Sylvia's death was breathtakingly cold.
It’s hard to have sympathy for someone who shows so little sympathy
My sympathy is cut off because she murdered little Shura who was not responsible for her mother's problems.
I'm listening to the new Sylvia Plath bio (Red Comet)... it's really good. I'm so sickened and saddened by the details of her story, esp. the misogyny, cruelty and disregard of her "psychiatrist" ... and that a toxic narcissist like Ted Hughes completely ruined what was left of her hope and her heart. She tried so hard to fight for her independence and her mental health, but the weight of the world was too much for her. She was such a lovely woman and amazing artist.
Sorry, but as soon as I see received modern-day psychiatric phrases like "toxic narcissist" I immediately tune you out.
@@8angst8 Because narcissism is a modern invention? Have they ony just come into being?...
@@8angst8What clinical psychological terms/labels would you use to describe the late Ted Hughes?✨🕊️
I wouldn’t call Sylvia’s poetry “rough.” She was a superb craftsperson and artist. If you mean that her poetry dealt with raw emotion, that’s different.
Yes, that’s what I assumed she meant, not that she was a bad poet, no one could say that.
Our beautiful, raw,forever suffering Sylvia. What an amazing woman...so glad that she and I were on the same planet, at times.😢❤❤❤
I meant rough in the sense or raw!
She was quite horrible to Sylvia and seemed to gloat over Ted's choice and Sylvia's pain. The tragedy is that she murdered her child. Poor Sylvia. Left by her husband with two small children in a country not her own and with a history of depression. Ted was a selfish a-hole and deserved all the backlash he got. Thank goodness parental responsibility and obligations are now more equal. Feminism accomplished many good things now taken for granted.
Assia is clearly not the victim here. She was complicit in the affair and the suffering of Sylvia. She is awful and should be remembered as such. Not as disgusting as Hughes but still far from a decent person.
Assia committed murder. She was worse than Ted Hughes who never murdered.
She got karma. Ted treated her as badly as he treated Sylvia. And Brenda, and Carol and the list goes on. Assia died lonely, alone and scared, hence why she took her daughter with her.
A reversal of roles. The mistress replaces the wife and inherits Ted's deep psychological emotional abuse he gave to the woman who loved him before her. Assia knew the flaws in his character and the neglectful and abandoning side of his personality and she still played that vile game with him that lead to Sylvia's depression and suicide.
She was a Jezebel
What a well researched video, thank you for sharing. Death loomed large over Hughes without doubt. A narcissist, abuser, adulterer - I dare suggest that he may also have been so incredibly jealous of Sylvia, a brilliant poet in her own right.
assia was pathetic and sad. And stole Sylvia's life, and didn't care. Then she stole her daughter's life. What is there to say about such a monster
Ted was the monster king over all though.
@@m.s.g1890 Yes, however, this woman killed her child. There is absolutely no excuse for that.
@@misssinisterseventy1553Bingo.
She was also a victim. Of undiagnosed mental disorders, herself, the times she lived in, and Ted Hughes. Ted propagated victims like he did shits. He was that type of person who is a sucking black void. Never filled, but an emotional vampire.
I knew enough to bring me to tears before, but this has ended it all for me. i will never read Ted Hughes again. Heartless!!!
i've since read ,what i had never read before, Sylvia's earlier writings of hardcastle crags, the great carbuncle, and Wuthering heights which are all stunning and i feel equal or surpass anything by Ted Hughes
they wrote together, when young. its fascinating to read their early work together. i dont think her early stuff exceeds his, but i think she would have become a great poet if she had stuck with it. his crow poems are remarkable. i think her work helped him reach those heights. if you havent read his birthday poems to her, you should.
@@evelaing3483 i have them here(Birthday letters), still reading through them,. Its all too easy to blame him, so i held off, not due to overt feminist reactions or determinations of events, but based on not knowing these people as some think they do? but , in all respects he is no innocent and whatever their personality types or mental stability-which we , here and now, can not really judge- he was part of or even at least ambivalent of his actions and selfishness. To think that a woman of her talent loved you, has two children by you, and you have an affair with a woman who comes into your home 0n trust- is unforgivable...but then it repeats again??? this is the clincher of any argument in his favour or innocence. He is always seen as a writer of nature also -THAT HE LOVED IT? but my reaction to first hearing of his hunting trips even when a boy, was of the boys i knew who did this kind of thing; they were scum, brutal, and did not want to appreciate creatures beauty that had no defences against humankinds domination. i was right in my first estimation of him, and this played out in character towards women also i believe. This is based soley on the available information
I met Hughes once at a dinner table at Listowel Writers Week with other prominent poets. Looking at him I thought, he isn't here at all. Having watched this I can understand why. It struck me how far away he was or just totally disinterested, narcissistic, a chiseled face and dominant presence I never heard him say a word at that dinner. The coldness of his presence affected me as in other men and women I had met throughout my life, they were all like a fire you could get no warmth from. That is my memory of Ted Hughes.
Tysm for sharing this. Do you remember what year you met Ted? Does Ted, former Poet Laureate, have a place in poet's corner at Westminster Abbey? Does Sylvia have a place at poet's corner? Ty again.✨🕊️
What a brilliant video! Thank you so much. This seems to me to be a fated story. It couldn't have been otherwise. I can't help finding Ted Hughes a totally self centred character, He was clearly irresistible to women and exploited that to the full. RIP all the tragic characters in this drama. For those interested in Sylvia Plath, Kate Moses has written a wonderful novel called Wintering.
TH was a narcissistic misogynist. It is unreal that anyone considers his relationship with either of those women "romantic." Poor Sylvia. Poor Assia. Those poor children. Thank you for this wonderful account of Assia's life.
I dont think most people know of what we just learned in the vid.
Pointless to call him misogynistic we dont know him.
Their son , Nicholas, also suffered from depression and later took his own life
@@mariedewitt5033 how tragic….
@@andrewdock7288You don't have to meet someone to know they're garbage, dear.
Assia is one of the very few people I have no empathy for, even as I try to see things from her perspective. I have some pity for Ted; losing a child to Asia's selfishness was his karma. I do hope he never enjoyed one more moment of joy in his life. I feel so bad for Sylvia's children.
Assia must have felt like a cheap imitation of Sylvia, which is very sad. But she knew she was taking on a married man with children; her consequences were earned. When she took her own life, she went one step beyond Sylvia's suicide by killing her own child, and this is where my sympathy ends.
Suicide is a selfish act, but Sylvia took great lengths to ensure her children would survive and be found by either the nurse she hired or her neighbor. Ted was a villain, but he lived to endure his guilt and faced the anger of many. That doesn't justify anything he did to help the mothers of his children to their early graves. At best, his life serves as a warning to horny young men.
Assia had a track record of cheating with married men. She sadly learnt the hard way how it feels to be other woman
he didnt care about the child, if anything he was glad she was out of his life for good; he was the ultimate example of how great evil can be done without breaking a single law...
Assia was married the whole time she was having an affair with Ted. About 7 years. She wasn't certain who the father of Shura was. Within days of getting a divorce she was dead.
@@joejones9520Ted was devastated by Assia and her child death.
Fuck Ted Hughes honestly, I just think Sylvia was so fucking brave, she could've *easily* been selfish and took her kids with her since Ted was off living a bachelor's life, Sylvia had no guarantee that Ted would step up and take care of them, but Sylvia still knew that it was wrong to take her children with her when she so easily could have, I'm sure she didn't want to die alone.
Assia is the age old tale of what comes around goes around, she went around treating men like this and as soon as someone did it back to her, she caved like a fucking soggy pie.
Ted Hughes knew how to elasticate women, because for assia she too easily trusted the race but not the longevity, what did she expect? You other another woman but expect to be the one and only once competition is eliminated. I honestly don't think she felt anything about Sylvia and what she did to her until she was told to move into that house and could see that she couldn't just wash Sylvia away.
I love the narrator's voice. It makes such a difference in listening and great job on the content.
Yes, it's so dispassionate, almost 'matter of fact' ... which, I imagine, is hard for a narrator to achieve. It really works here.
Thank you for your kind words! It truly means a lot :)
@@sinistersam perfect narration.
Probably one of the saddest and tragic stories I have heard about famous couples. Unfortunately this seems to be more common for writers and poets. They seem to live for drama and have an incredible capacity for self deception. I think Ted had an attraction for fatale women but in the end He was the fatal man.
I very much, agree with you they think 🤔 that drama, and chaos contribute to their writing, unfortunately artistic people are prone to depression. I like to read literary biographies.
Yeah well, feminists hated him for years, Ariel makes it all very clear, you can't really have your cake and eat it too, all very sad, his son also committed suicide I gather. I can just about remember that winter of 63
she took the life of her own child. "Terrible men" can drive us to a lot of frenzy but being so weak that you resort to threatening and acting out suicide is just giving up your own agency. And to kill your child - thats deep malevolence that no one else can instill in you. Assia did it and in a sense Plath did it also, opening that window on her sleeping children high up in that building and that unusually cold weather. And taping the door closed! And she is deified for it 💔
@@evelaing3483 Indeed
@@evelaing3483 She taped the door shut, in order to protect them from the gas.
Disgusting people, all of them. The poor sad children.
Amazing! Thank you! Assia was insane and had to deal with her karma. the flat was still occupied by Sylvia's spirit. Her energy was still there. And it's not recommended to wear clothes, jewelry etc from people who are deceased bc it can have a neg.affect on you. But Assia was so obsessed with Hughes and the fact that she could not take Sylvia's place that she didn't care.
That's nuts. She was just an insecure mess because she knew she'd never live up to Sylvia. That's what happens when you steal a cheater.
Not recommended by whom? Antique and thrift stores everywhere would beg to differ.
Spirit. Haha ! Yeah right. Shoulda had it exorcised 😂
😮😢I never 🤔 knew Assia wore Sylvia's clothing. Definitely a BAD 💡 idea. Most of my preppie wardrobe in the 1980's came from the best Orange 🧡🍊 County thrift shops and I never shared my secret. I never knew the people who previously wore my clothing. Never had a problem. Assia, Ted and possibly Sylvia needed to go to Confession and maybe needed to consult a Roman Catholic Exorcist. Maybe Shira and Nicholas would have been saved from their sins. Harsh opinion, maybe. Therapy could not 🚫 come close to healing 🩹 this threesome. May God's forgiveness heal them and let light perpetual shine upon them ALL. Life is hard!!!🙏✝️✨🕊️✨💐
This was a brilliant video. So haunting and tragic to consider how the same behaviours continued after Sylvia's death. Thank you for a well-researched and thoughtful take
How could Sylvia's letters to her psychiatrist be written in the "mid-sixties" when Sylvia died 11 February, 1963?
I've been a fan of Plath's work since my first reading.
The story of Assia and her child with Hughes is incredibly sad, but leads me to ask the question that haunts this tale...
"What kind of monster was Ted Hughes really?"
I also believe that he was jealous of Sylvia's work.
Both Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes were brilliant poets.
"Jealous of Sylvia's work"? Number One: Hughes was the much bigger poetry star at the time of her death. Even Plath bowed before his talent. Number Two: Prior to the severe emotional pain of her separation from Hughes, Plath had not written anything great, just academically "very good." Nothing memorable. (Don't believe me? Try remembering or quoting anything of hers pre-1962.)
@@8angst8popularity doesn’t equal quality and poets are very aware of that. Also men like this (aka narcissists) can’t stand their partner being talented. You don’t need to be famous to bruise a fragile ego.
Bravo Sam! Excellent work . Among other things this is a story of male entitlement. Maybe it will not be as prevalent in the younger generations as it was in the past. The series Madmen is a great example of this. Women like Sylvia, gentle, kind hearted, bravely perceptive, were punished socially and psychologically and often still are. Although they courageously bared their souls to give us some of the most beautiful poems that encourage our honest interaction between our hearts and the truth, it was a raw place for them to exist in. It's a difficult posture for these poets to hold.
Killing each other by proxy is more common than we think. Getting close to someone and then dissolving their will to live is a method of murder far more sinister than any crime of passion. For generations, men were raised to believe that nothing was more important than their own desires, however fickle. Odessa wasn't an honorable person either but the story goes that the two major lovers of Ted's life committed suicide. One took his child along. That's a dark story.
Hope you were gratified Ted.
I completed a Master’s degree in poetry and literature at a time when ALL the full professors were men. Ted Hughes was lionized. Though we studied Plath, I did not even know she was married to Hughes! Things that were emphasized were exactly the “Mad Men”-era type, when these professors would have been young men, absorbing all the elitism and sexism of their own professors. Hughes’ work was considered “muscular,” while Plath was “eccentric.” It went on and on. At that time, however, women were questioning the prevailing narrative. When Margaret Atwood’s book The Handmaid’s Tale started to pierce our collective consciousness, none of these professors would teach it! I wonder what Sylvia would have thought of that book…? What a great loss. Well done video!
this upsets me so much. Its heart-rending, to think of such selfishness abandoning these women to their isolation and a desperate tragic ending.
This is such a good video essay, I love the editing and the passing and I appreciate how much research have been put into it!!
Really well done. Is something I've been interested in. Ted Hughes seems to have done this with most of his partners. What a mess affairs can create, tragic in these circumstances.
That was fascinating. I'm a mega Sylvia Plath fan but didn't know all the details around Assia. I don't know whether to dislike her or feel sorry for her. Thank you for that.
CASE SUGGESTION:
I didn’t see a case suggestion link so I thought I comment here and see if you notice it and would like to make a RUclips video or TikTok about it because I would love to bring more awareness to this case for Amy and her loved ones.
Love your content btw 😊
The case of Amy Velasquez
Amy was a 5 year old girl who was brutally raped and murdered at the hands of a 21 year old Anguilla native named Ashton Lake. This case happened back in 1983 in my hometown island called Sint Maarten. Amy was just about to celebrate her 6th birthday the day after she was killed.
After he killed her, he tied her up and threw her body into the lagoon. It was reported that right after getting rid of her body, he went to a bar for a drink with his accomplice as if nothing happened. I haven't seen much information about the person he was with when he committed the crime, other than he was there helping him break into people's houses before they broke a window by Amy's house where they took her from her bed. I haven't even been able to find a mugshot of her killer either. It bothers me and many other people that have heard of the crime because it is as if the law is protecting his identity.
After serving 38 years behind bars, her killer requested his early release. Today I found out through a local news report that his request has been granted and he will officially be a free man in July 2022 (he is now 59 years old).
He served his years on another island called Curacao but once he is released he will be sent back to his home island of Anguilla, which is just short boat ride away from Sint Maarten where he committed the crime.
I read articles where it was reported that while he was in jail, he felt no remorse for what he did, in fact other prisoners said that he was practically bragging about it. I also saw that a psychologist was the one that gave a statement that he or she feels that Ashton wouldn't commit this type of crime again after so many years so there is more than enough good reason to let him go but I personally call that bullshit.
There isn't that many articles about Amy's story but there is just enough to at least explain what happened. Sint Maarten doesn't get that much media attention when it comes to crimes like this and I'm not sure if Amy's families are aware of people that spread awareness for victims on their own youtube channels, podcasts etc. But since I'm a big fan of true crime and I'm familiar with many people that have big platforms like those, I thought I would try and help her family spread awareness as much as I can.
This case is already horrifying as it is with what happened to Amy but knowing that there still isn't any justice for her and the fact that this monster is being released, makes me even more upset.
Being from an island, you grow up in a very close community where everyone knows everyone so when this happened it was like everyone lost a little sister, cousin, granddaughter or a daughter of their own. I wasn't born until 1998 so this happened way before my time but once I was old enough, I remember my mom telling me about Amy's story and it wasn't until recently when I was scrolling through facebook and I came across the gofundme page her sister Jennifer created when I really saw details on what happened on that horrible day.
My mom was very close with Amy's family and she'll never forget how Amy's murder shook the whole island and its people. I don't know if anything more can be done in terms of getting Aston back in jail but with you having such a big platform, I thought at least getting the story out there to a bigger audience, it might open some eyes and maybe get the judge to reconsider their choice on releasing this monster.
Although I never got the chance to know Amy personally or any of her family, I empathize with them a lot and I just know that no matter how much time has passed, their pain will never go away. I can understand how important it is for them to get Amy justice so I really want that to happen.
As I mentioned before, there isn't that much coverage on the case other than a couple links online. You can find some information by typing in her name and maybe adding in Sint Maarten and the date of the crime. Hopefully you are able to get some information. If you need me to, I can directly send you some links via email of the case. (My email is krissxm@icloud.com or you can contact me at my school email KaBarras@knights.ucf.edu)
Like I mentioned previously I also saw that her sister Jennifer made a go-fund me page trying to get more attention to the case but unfortunately didn't meet the 5,000 signature goal. She was 14 when her sister was murdered and has been the one trying to get attention to the case ever since so maybe you could reach out to her directly for more information if you choose to talk about Amy's story. I'm not too sure how she would feel about it but based on articles and the way she wrote about Amy's story on the gofundme page, I feel like she would truly appreciate your help.
Ashton Lake is a rapist and murderer and he deserves to spend the rest of his life rotting in prison. I don't care what a psychologist said and in all honesty I don't think they are actually thinking properly. I study clinical psychology at UCF and even though I don't have my degree just yet, I could never hear about this story and willingly say that this man won't do this again. He feels no remorse and he will never change. It's only a matter of time before he commits another crime like this to someone else. I've been living in the U.S for quiet some time now since I became a U.S resident and I've noticed the differences with how America handles crimes like this compared to Sint Maarten and it shouldn't be that way. I don't think enough justice is given to these victims and it's just wrong and it should change.
With Ashton being released without anyone really knowing what he looks like now, it gives him even more chances to hide in the shadows and maybe get away with committing a crime like this again to someone else today. I worry so much for the people of Sint Maarten and Anguilla, especially the children and I just want justice for Amy.
I attached a link of an article explaining the story a long with for Amy’s Gofundme page that her sister created:
Article:
stmaartennews.com/news/velasquez-family-fiercely-opposes-early-release-for-amys-killer-ashton-lake/
GoFundme:
www.change.org/p/justice-court-st-maarten-curacao-justice-for-amy-velasquez-brutally-raped-and-murdered-1983-in-st-maarten
Good luck ! The " Justice " system
offers no redress to the victims .
Whether in UK , Europe , Canada or anywhere considered " civilized ".
What punishment can undo the terror / agony of the victim's final
moments or their families years of
pain. ? I have no answer but the present system is not fit for purpose.
I hope this case gets more attention.
Absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with this video. Take your nonsense elsewhere. Stop hijacking REAL stories.
@MrFrampo56 true, this is not about the video, rather a request for another story to be publicised. But who would call something related to highlighting the murder of a 5 year old child nonsense?
Ted was a fucking monster. I legit hate that man. But bravo to you lol! Great job 🌼☺️🤘🏻
That was the 1950's era. Very sic. Both women are as pathetic as him.
i totally agree. Nothing seemed to haver been enough for him- what a fool.
I wish I could travel back in time and take him out but make it very slow and painful.
its childish to see him as the big bad monstrous man and Plath as a delicate genius who was done wrong. people who view it so simply usually arent dedicated readers of poetry, but merely relish the drama. Plath revelled in her victimhood. she's the mother of late feminism of our time, in which everyone whines they've been done wrong, and wants protection. she had a toxic, narcissistic habit of half-hearted suicide attempts. this one destroyed her childrens lives. her son eventually hung himself. she was volatile and abusive, most likely - destroying furniture, books, manuscripts. what kind of poet destroys another poets writing? this last fake suicide attempt betrayed her calling, her children, her mother, her husband, to whom she was reconciling. she seriously endangered her kids lives that morning. Frieda was old enough to get out of bed: she could have fallen out the window or opened the door, thru which gas was leaking. she could have choked on the food left there, or hurt her brother.
@@joejones9520 an early version? from the people factory? no : ) they are very different people. Men and women will inadvisably smash things, at times. this doesn't make them of one breed. As for school - Plath went to Smith, and then Cambridge. Hillary went to Vassar, i think.
There are only 2 people left out of this whole saga - Frieda Hughes who went on to become a famous artist and poet herself, and Carol Hughes (Ted's 2nd wife) who was with him the longest, for over 40 years until his death. She still lives in the house in Devon featured in this video. Tragic story of this family well portrayed in this video.
I just last night read Frieda's book of poems "Forty Five"---- absolutely UNimpressed with her as a poet. I feel for her, in a passive way, for having to deal with her parental legacy. But she's not a good poet. As for The Widow Carol Hughes: Apparently, she's constantly the victim of intruders on the Court Green property; I feel bad for her for that. But then she also cut Frieda and Nicholas (prior to his suicide) out of their father's will after his 1998 death. She apparently, according to Frieda, wasn't the nicest of step-mothers, even prior to Hughes's death.
@@8angst8Zero sympathy for Carol Hughes.
The Bell Jar wasn't published until 1963 in January, one month before her death.
In the USA, it was released earlier in the UK.
@@iolitelight published in Britain in 1963 as written by , the nom de plume, Victoria Lucas. it was published in the USA , against Sylvia's wishes, in 1971.
Thanks for making this vid, I've really been getting into this lore lately and this really helped
I know you siad at the end what if they hadn't of rented the flat what would of happened but it would of happened to some other poor girl! Unfortunate these women crossed this monsters path! You narratived this wonderfully
I like how you were still fair to all of the characters in this story, even though they clearly weren’t the most likable people based on their actions.
Wow. Amazing job, i cant believe it has only 10 thousand views!! The research youve done is just jawdropping. I Hope you will get some more attention cause you surely deserve it!!! Xx
Thank you so much! Making content is hard work, but comments like yours show me that it's paid off!
Thank you! Never even knew of this quiet epic of lives.
I saw a short video on tiktok and had to research on youtube. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼
Poets and suicide then sudden break to a loud boneless wings commercial
🪽😂😂😂
What a sad sad story. Gosh I didn't even know about her. But trust me, schools haven't taught correctly in decades. Anything of Sylvia's that I read and poured over,was self taught.
Gas was simply the easiest way to kill oneself at this time. It was easy, everyone had accept it and it was sadly common.
The lives of these poets were so wild!!
This was an excellent and informative video ! Thank you for your clear presentation of what must have taken many hours of in-depth research to compile. I also think you did a wonderful of bringing understanding and compassion to both Ted and Assia, despite the objectively challenging behaviours they both, at times exhibited. I think you gave a really good, unbiased account of the information.
This is a Most Excellent, succinct and well produced/ narrated quality piece!
Thank you!
Blessings!
Hello, this is really well produced. You must have really dedicated some time and effort to this. Researching is enlightening. I never knew anything about Assia. But I never liked Hughes. I guess if he wasn't linked to Plath (who I adore) I would not have ever encountered his poetry. I also dislike how Plath is portrayed as this ultra-feminist. When in fact she wanted to be a mother and a wife. She only created her celebrated works after being denied the life she truly desired.
So very sad. Thank you for the upload
Shura darling you did not deserve to be let down so badly by these self-absorbed adults in your life. RIP 😪
ESCANDALOSO!! Thank you for posting!
This was wonderful! Thanks so much ! ☺️
I’m guessing he had a role in his son’s suicide too. What a strange man.
Guy seems like a curse.
How?
@@GoldiLocks-rm9lg or a killer
Ted had no part in Nicks death. Ted died from colon cancer and Nick who greatly loved his dad had a hard time after he died. Depression ran in both sides of Nicks family.
This is a very creepy comment section. Something about the Sylvia Plath story brings out a nasty gossipy streak in people. Frieda Hughes herself has gone on record to ask these Plath heads to leave her family alone.
As much as I tried hard to be empathetic to Assia as well. I can't deny the fact that what both Ted and Assia had in common was Narcissism. Also I felt sorry for Assia too towards the end but she had to suffer her Karma. The real victims were Plath and even most vulnerable a victim was little Shura .
Ted's clear misogyny doesn't diminish how narcissistic and cold Aussia was. She had it coming and whatever guilt I hope Ted felt was well deserved.
But where is the lie @@Althom1990
@@Althom1990 I would say that ruthlessly pursuing a married man, then complaining about that same ex-wife you booted out of her marriage, then committing suicide and murdering your toddler lacks grace, but maybe I'm just pragmatic.
@@Althom1990 Maybe. But in the context of all she did in her life, judging it as a whole from her actions and their consequences, people are definitely side-eyeing the workings of Karma. Yes it's absolutely sad, but it was absolutely avoidable if she hadn't been so invested in only what she wanted. She made her bed, and even when it's a bed of nails we all have to answer for our decisions in one way or another. Her tragedy is no one's fault but her own.
Edit: As is Ted's.
assia sounds like a psychopath ps as soon as you mentioned she might k word herself i wondered if she would copy Sylvia's method. not surprised she did.
Thank you very much for your scholarly, literary update.
Amazing account of this piece of history. Thank you and congrats on the job.
I always guessed these were horrible people. Now I know.
But please do more literary bios (or their mistresses). Great job.
Absolutely wonderful. Well done
It’s interesting that I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline and she/Sylvia Plath were only seven weeks apart in age, Patsy being older, and dying in a plane crash on Mar.5, 1963, just 22 days later. They were both born in 1932 and died in 1963, and were both 30 years old! Two great talents born and gone at about the same time. RIP to both.
I meant to say that I Fall to Pieces is being played in this video and they were both the same age.
So sad for everyone involved. Additionally, Nick Hughes, Ted and Sylvia’s son, committed suicide while working in Alaska as a biologist. 😢
This Hughes family seems obviously cursed. What happened to Sylvia & Teds surviving child? Their Daughter?
Frieda, their daughter, is still alive and living in Australia. She is 62 and is a writer and artist.
@@t.m.a.3665 it isnt a curse. when you commit suicide it's statistically very likely your children will follow your example. she merely miscalculated - someone with a key to her home was supposed to arrive earlier, but due to the weather she ran late, and sylvia was found dead - instead of rescued. her previous suicide attempts were similarly staged, although i think she was not wholly responsible. her family, her professors, if they were looking, they would have seen her distress.
I treasure my copy of the Bell Jar, SP was a victim of masculine bullying and infidelity, so sad
14 years ago
Bursting, privileged selfimages, killing each other dead.
Well made film. Thank you.
Great podcast, love the visuals. Only problem, volume is a bit low for such a quiet voice.
Thank you for this documentary on kids mistress I got hooked on the video actually movie of Sylvia and after watching the movie I spent several days listening to documentaries regarding Sylvia and thank you for this video which gives me a clearer version of text messages. The story of Sylvia and this woman is such a tragedy. Hey seems like Kid had a lot of issues that he never worked through that affected these two women to the point of ending their lives. Once again thank you for the research you did on this woman that helps us understandHer
Great video. Appreciate you shedding light on this commonly-neglected aspect of the story.
also very sad is the fact that ted and sylvia's son took his own life as well. 3 people in the direct vicinity of ted hughes died by their own hand- makes a person wonder! i personally think ted hughes was responsible for sylvia's and assia's death, dont know enough about his son's death to say. very sad for his daughters, and his son.
Sylvia Plath's son, Nicholas, ended up developing depression and died by suicide in 2009. He may not have remembered his mom and her death, but I'm sure he emerged Assia and his murdered little sister.
Poetry groupies! Who’d have ever thought?
Hey, back in the day (1800s thru 1960s), it really used to be a thing! :)
Bottom line. He was running away from his girlfriends. By the sounds of him he didn’t seem like a very decent bloke.
yes and to be capable of what he did means there is no telling what other terrible things he did totally outside the realm of women and relationships, Im sure stealing would be fine to him, conning, murder even, if he knew hed get away with it. Sociopath.
@@joejones9520 was it so bad : ) these were beautiful and amazing women who were hounding him a bit. he should have been more responsible, but he was a poet, he wanted freedom, like in his childhood in yorkshire.
@@evelaing3483 no excuses for that behavior. It's not romantic; it's common and trashy, it's what stupid people do.
I was frozen while listening . well done
Read Ted-s poem -The other-! It sheds a lot of light on this!
the bell jar came out in Jan. 1963 - a month before she died.
In addition I wanted to find out what happened to Ted and Sylvia son which I did to come to find that he committed suicide in Alaska at the age of 43. Do you think you could put a documentarian on this son of theirs and what drove him to suicide. It’s all too eerie
Nick wad very depressed after Ted died from colon cancer.
Did she ever publish?
I'm NOT playing devil's advocate.... But the list of household duties and childcare instructions seems very practical. Assia seemed to need a bit of direction anyway.
How did you get this information, I've taught Plath on the college level and I've not found this before.
I’ve also studied Plath extensively & would like to know too.
An excellent bio on Ted by Bates has all this info. There has also been a bio of Asia called Lover of Unreason.
He wrote the iron man which inspired the iron giant
Beautiful and sad story ❤
Two poets in one house will never do.
Seriously. Same with "two actors" or "two rappers." It's just a fact: One person has to be the nicer, calmer one, or it's never going to work.
If that horn dog had never met Assia, he would have inevitably found another port of call, but he at least might have hidden it better!
I’m reading the 2004 edition of Ariel restored by Frieda Hughes. In the introduction, she states her intention to clear her father’s name of some of his sins by including the “not as good” poems he removed from the first editions and OMG
Every single one of them refers to his infidelity and DV. And the miscarriage. And how much emotional pain Sylvia was in after losing that baby because of him. AND they’re all GREAT!
That guy. UGH
'shura' is not a nickname, it's a form of name alexandra
😮😢 Just subbed. Read a lot on this " a bit crowded" threesome. Never knew Assia was DIRECTLY affected by Na8zis, which alters my psychological perception of her. One correction from my Mom/Mum, who earned her PhD in England, and knew someone who shared the protagonist's name, which is pronounced: "Ahh.shuh."
hey , you are amazing keep making videos
Ted is the real villain here
28:28 That is definitely Ted’s child.
WHAT was shura's fault?! It's disgusting how children r dragged into adult's shits for ADULT'S faults
Forgotten? There’s 20 new books a year on it!
Just because there’s a book on something doesn’t mean it’s widespread knowledge!
Excellent film. Well done. Towards the end I got confused as to cared and raised Sylvia's two children as the film only mentions Assia, Hughes and Shura as a family unit. Perhaps I missed something. I have googled but nothing seems clear.
Ted had slot of help from his sister. He remarried to Carol Orchard. She was 20. She helped raise the kids and had been their nanny prior to her marriage to Ted.
Just out of curiosity, since Ted Hughes inherited Sylvia plath's literary estate since they were still technically married, and he died in 1998 still married to the nurse he married in 1970 when she was 20 years old, does that mean that his widow controls the Sylvia Plath literary estate? I was just wondering because I remember the movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow being criticized at least in part as being such an obviously inferior project that the estate did not allow the producers the use of Sylvia's poetry, but they likely would not have been allowed the rights to the use of the poetry in any case if those fell to the widow of the ostensible villain of this piece.
TH was obviously attracted to creative, emotionally fragile women he could tyrannize and then he cheated on them. These women don’t deserve to be vilified. There was very little to treat depression and other mental illnesses effectively then.
Sylvia is buried near me. This is down to the narcissistic Hughes’s. His name is on her gravestone, but his name is regularly defaced. These great literary men so often treated the women in their lives so badly. It almost feels it was power for the course.
The phrase is "par for the course." And Hughes had Sylvia buried near his own family in the north because the couple didn't have roots in the cemetery near Court Green in the south of England. (As for the defacing: I think radicals have calmed down somewhat since the 1970s and are no longer defacing the gravestone.) As for "treating women so badly": As far as I know, Hughes was faithful to Plath for most of their marriage. Then he started to live up to his personal philosophy: "Do what thou wilt." The Devil (i.e., personal desires) took him over.
Another piece of the Plath, Hughes story.
excellent sadness, thank-you
And the moral of this story is...Do NOT date a poet
lol yeah
I think Sylvia’s children were also victims :/ her son committed suicide later in life and never got to meet his mother
TH should have been a confirmed bachelor for life. Assia also. TH and Assia shouldn't have been parents either. They both sucked at all roles: Husband, Wife, Mother,
Father. But the knowledge and experience gained
Is always in a depressing retrospective
Excellent. Very up to date on their lives. What a controlling man Ted Hughes was.
Silvia Plath seems to have been pretty controlling too. Ugh! Horrible people! All three.
@@johnmartin2813 I think any one of the three if made a boss at some company, would have been the typical a-hole, hated boss.
Almost finished Red Comet. Got to the part where Assia is introduced, i needed to know more. This vid, perfect timing. Given this is about Assia, not sure how Ted's possible physical abuse of Sylvia is relevant. If it is, you left out all of Sylvia's abuse toward Ted. Generally it seemed like uncontrolled anger, which resulted in her destroying things, like his sentimental items or partially finished work. Mutually abusive relationship.
I dont see this as just a physically and emotionally abusive Ted driving two women to suicide, as the tone of your vid suggests. At least about Sylvia, I see patriarchy being the main villain , grating on her psyche her entire life. She needed support and stability as well as a man who'd only react to her chronic anger and depression with attention, affection and kindness. She seemed to always be on the brink.
Back to Assia who may be guilty of exploiting two previous husbands to improve her personal station. Are we to believe she became reformed with Ted??? I think she felt ruined, unable to move higher, trapped with a child by Ted. I think Assia wanted her suicide to ruin Ted like she felt ruined.
A woman is compromised the day she is born.
Agree.
He beat her and mentally tortured her. He beat her so badly she had a miscarriage. Sylvia Plath was so happy, according to her writings. He was a monster. Breaking items or tearing up work is nothing. He was screwing another woman and had left for over 12 hours for an hour meeting. I accuse Ted Hughes of murder and there are great examples. Figure them out
About Assia, I agree. She was an evil witch and she tried to ruin every man she came in contact with. Assia used all Sylvia’s things. I don’t believe she was as talented as she claims. I believe she, along with Ted, made sure Sylvia knew. Also the radio show he did not long before her death along with the evil Assia making sure she knew of her pregnancy. Shura, in some photos, looks so much like Ted. Ted’s parents live Sylvia because she was a wonderful wife. She cooked, kept house and loved Ted with joy. Her letters prove this true. I’m so happy more has come out. I pray more does.
Three thoroughly unpleasant people who used their thoroughly unpleasant art as an excuse. And as a result have poisoned literary culture ever since.
Ted Hughes was a very selfish man. At the time of Assisas death TH was involved with two other women. He married 20 year old Carol Orchard and he remained married to her til his death. Ted had many affairs after marrying Carol. Asia was a very selfish person as well but she sure paid for it. Ted Hughes made her miserable in the end..
The buzzing of the mic almost put me off this video