Horror in Bluebeard

The two types of horror in he bluebeard stories are the dead severed hand and the floor covered in blood. The hand with the ring is a physical horror because it is lifeless, bloody, and a way for the evil, bloodthirsty bluebeard to find and kill the heroine. The hand is especially frightening because it's existence and place meant in the heroine's lap is her closest brush with death. There is the dramatic suspense when bluebeard is looking for the hand (and the ring), that catches their breath and brings them within an inch of death. The floor covered in clotted blood, reflecting the images of the dead women or chopped-up people is a much more gory and traditionally horrific image. The blood and guts are gross, but i think the suspense linked to the severed hand is much more horrifying. With the hand, the heroine loses control. Her life or death is entirely up to chance, and that is terrifying.