What is the history of the Monkey music box in the 2004 movie Phantom of the Opera?

Answer 1

Yes, in very many ways. A monkey symbolizes many things that are strongly related to the story. The movie's end has a moment where Christine is sailing away with Raoul but turns to look back at the Phantom, while she sings the words "Share each day with me, each night, each morning...", that is also in the original screenplay, which states that she seems to be singing that to the Phantom.

In India, the monkey is a symbol of soul. Monkeys may represent lust. A monkey may also represent positive attributes, such as inspiration and a sense of freedom. Monkeys as symbols appear to have a double or twin meaning. Whether positive or negative, the monkey is revealing something about what is going on in your inner world.

This is why it may be validly interpret that Christine, though had been a happy and beloved wife and mother in her marriage with Raoul, she had always been torn in two. As in never felt truly free because by leaving the Phantom behind, she parted from an essential part of her. The Phantom had once inspired her voice and she obviously had felt tons of lust towards him and according to the film's director, Joel Schumacher, she felt a very deep and very soulful union with the Phantom. Perhaps, by bringing to her graveside, the monkey music box which by the way had belonged to the person with whom Christine had emotionally/spiritually shared every moment of her life, Raoul wanted to make a gesture of understanding or apology to her. After all he went through a lot of trouble to get the object and the film makes it seem like the story we see is him remembering the events on his way to Christine's grave.

Also, the music box plays the tune of "Masquerade", which lyrics appeal and connect to the Phantom's character. ("Masquerade, paper faces on parade. Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you.")

Answer 2

The original music box from the Phantom of the Opera is not real. The box was just put in the movie for the director's ideas. The original novel, The Phantom of the Opera, says nothing of the box, stating that it wasn't real.