When the married death-match couple are introduced at Bancroft's Banquet, the music played is the same as the main theme for Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Dmitri Shostakovich's "Waltz No. 2, Suite for Variety Stage Orchestra". The fact of the marriage is a central plot-point in this scene. These are married couples with children, engaged with power circles far above their social position, working against each other for family and status, and with uncertain long term survival.
When Poe referred "Lizzie" as Elizabeth, Elliot remarked that no one has ever called her by that name. The real Edgar Poe's mother's name is Elizabeth.
Clarissa Severin's pet snake, a sleeve for a human mind, is named Janus. Janus is the ancient Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and doorways.
The music playing at the beginning of Bancroft's party is Dvorak's Slavonic Dances op. 72, no. 2 (starodávny). Later, after Takeshi's conversation with Kristin, the music playing is the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suites, BWV 1007.