Gawain Project: Brothers & Sisters, 79-81

[sigune]

"'Yield?' asked Agravain. He was panting.
I felt sick. I had no choice. If I didn't yield, he would only hit me more, and call me names, and laugh at me.
'I yield.'"
- Gillian Bradshaw, Hawk of May (1981)

Comments

[todayiamadaisy]

What do you not like about the last page? Just because it seems busy? It's true there's a lot happening on that page compared to the others (and the calf between the two horses seems a bit odd). I don't think there's anything wrong with the concept, though. As a reader, it sets me up to expect a different chapter, very different to what we've just seen.

[sigune]

I'm happy to hear that, because that means the page does what it has to do, but... My perspective is LOUSY, the horse at the front is BLAH and my cows look like BADLY-DRAWN cows. *BAWL!*

;D

[cabepfir]

Italian cows say MUUUUH!

I love Conchobarre's nose <3
But I don't know if I agree with her theory of elderness (though I understand her perspective). The rightful king should be the 'best' one, no matter if he's the first or seventh born, if they are male or female.

[sigune]

You're asking a bit much! ;-) In ancient Ireland, the new king would normally be chosen from among the old king's sons. It could indeed be the eldest, the youngest or the middle one. As far as I know, illegitimate sons weren't eligible, though they could inherit. But girls were never eligible. Conchobarre is being a bit wilful here - she does know that this princess couldn't have succeeded her father (except, as Lot fears, if her husband takes the throne). She's just really angry because he decided to do away with the child altogether, not giving her a chance to prove her worth.

So yes: normally speaking, the lords will get to choose one of Lot's sons and Gawain being the eldest doesn't mean that much in Celtic society. But in medieval Arthurian stories, it *does* mean something, and Gawain is obviously Lot's heir, leader of the clan - and obviously Arthur's heir as well. Lot's favouritism and his attempts at turning Gawain into the obvious choice among his sons is my way of negotiating between the early and later middle ages :p.

[cabepfir]

Why obviously Arthur's heir? As his step-nephew? Shouln't Owain be at the same level? And then, Mordred is going to be the son of whom?

[sigune]

Gawain is the eldest son of Arthur's eldest sister. In Arthurian stories, the eldest son of the eldest (half, not step)sister is almost as close as, or even closer than, a son. Owain is never at the same level because he's the son of the younger sister. Mordred doesn't come into play for the throne at all as he is an illegitimate child. Ironically, Arthur is illegitimate himself (not in all versions of the story) - that's one reason why he needs the Sword in the Stone to get accepted by the other kings. Mordred doesn't have any magical stuff to prove himself. And the only person ever to be entrusted with Excalibur besides Arthur is Gawain. It's really prominent in Arthurian romance - Lancelot is Arthur's best friend, but Gawain is treated like Arthur's son.

[fran_darts]

Huh, that's an interesting back story and motive for Lot. (And lol, I just realised that on the last page you did say it was Thaney. I fail at reading.)

I don't think introducing them with a herd of cows is a bad idea! Cows are awesome. But there is something about the composition that's a little odd - it feels like it lacks a focal point I think.