the razor

[pocochina]

So after my Cain post a while back I gave in and re-watched Razor. Because I do not even have the attention span to pretend I do serious re-watches. Some day Netflix is going to send me a notification like YOU KNOW THE NUMBERS GO IN ORDER, RIGHT? And naturally I had thoughts. About Lee, because apparently that is what I do now.

Comments

[angearia]

So this post makes me think about my heritage, specifically stories my dad's always told me. I've got Norse and Scots background on my father's side.

The term berserker is popularly understood as out of control, wild with rage. In my family history and in a few other sources I've encountered, it means something else. A berserker doesn't grow hot with rage -- they grow cold. Pain means nothing to them. Fear is no obstacle. Strength is found in the force of your will and that superhuman strength doesn't acknowledge the limitations of your body.

My dad tells me stories about my grandfather lifting a car out of a ditch alone, and he's talked about feeling that sensation.

Anyways, when you talked about how Lee would grip the knife and bash people with the hilt, but that if he continued doing so he'd eventually lose his hand -- I immediately thought: she's describing a berserker.

It's a different sort of rage, I think, because it surpasses anger. Anger is vented. Berserker rage runs cold and it remains centered within the person, like a death fever. The berserker is the warrior who doesn't scream to intimidate his enemy -- but goes cold in the eyes till his gaze reflects death. When the cold takes over, it's a brutal sort of analytical battle where everything becomes a weapon and the goal is the only victory.

I mean, it's mythic, isn't it? A part of me doesn't believe it exists. But that's the myth. And the way you described Lee as a razor made me think of a berserker. At least, in the way I understand it. Only Lee-as-berserker never gets fully out of control -- or would you say that part of Lee's problem is that he is out of control?

*ponders*

Sorry for all the edits. I'm The Worst.

[pocochina]

I had no idea that was where that word came from! I love it.

I don't think he ever gets fully out of control in an obvious way. (With the exception of the temper tantrum quoted above, obvs.) But I do think he gets out of the control of whatever inhibitions normally keep him contained and usually frozen.

So yeah, absolutely he's a berserker.

that is fantastic! thank you for that story.

[angearia]

I'm glad it makes sense!

I was trying to find good sources to share, but my googlefu failed me. Maybe I'll track something down later!