Rape and historical-era sorts of characters is an awkward thing. Like... as much as I don't want to think he would, odds are good that Antony had raped women (though if you asked him, he would say in all honesty that as far as he's concerned, he hadn't). He wouldn't force himself on a citizen woman, but can a slave ever have completely voluntary sex with a citizen, when that citizen can have them beaten or killed for refusing? And what about captured prisoners? They aren't in the same class, so it wouldn't occur to him to get their enthusiastic consent.
I could see that kind of thing happening during the Crusades, too. You wouldn't rape a Christian girl, but nonbelievers (if they're not from important families, and don't have the connections to have you punished) might be more fair game. They're not your equals, so it's not a crime, if that makes sense.
Seriously depressing. Though that totally makes sense, that these guys just wouldn't see certain people as even fully human.
For Brian, I don't think the difference in religion is what negates equality; he's pretty much established in canon as just using Christianity and the Templar Order for his own ends. I think at one point he actually describes religion as superstitious nonsense. But I think he would see Europeans (Normans, specifically) as a class above everyone else. So he's just, um, a racist
( ... )
I always got the feeling with Brian (at least in the book, though it's been ages since I read it all the way through, but my copy has a handy index so's I can just go straight to the Rebecca parts) that he sort of saw her as a generic woman, attractive but not an individual in her own right (except for maybe the extra bit of illicitness from her being Jewish) until the moment when she threatens to jump, and he realizes she would do it. I doubt many people had ever had the courage to stand up to him, and especially for a woman to do it? That would make him see her differently.
Depressing but interesting topic, I think its along the same lines as how to Brian, Will is less of a person due to being Saxon.
Hurting him has less moral consequences than taking on an equal, speaking of if you're around and up for it at any point I'd love to continue their thread.
Also I'm taking a break from my masters, it wasn't making me happy or healthy, so I'm relaxing and enjoying my last eleven days in New Zealand.
See, in my last comment to pastrydeity I was thinking that Brian takes advantage of weakness without regard for race or religion... and then I think of his reaction to Will, and it's like, oh wait. :/ He's becoming that character for me, the one where the more you mull over his real motives the more INSANELY BEFUDDLING they become
( ... )
No, that all makes a lot of sense and I love analyzing a character's motivations. Also I tagged your last tag and will try to keep up when I can. They're giving us some more news tonight so hopefully I'll get to go back to my flat soon. I've found an internet place where I can use aim, but at the moment I'm on a campus computer where meebo won't let me connect.
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I could see that kind of thing happening during the Crusades, too. You wouldn't rape a Christian girl, but nonbelievers (if they're not from important families, and don't have the connections to have you punished) might be more fair game. They're not your equals, so it's not a crime, if that makes sense.
Man, depressing subject.
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For Brian, I don't think the difference in religion is what negates equality; he's pretty much established in canon as just using Christianity and the Templar Order for his own ends. I think at one point he actually describes religion as superstitious nonsense. But I think he would see Europeans (Normans, specifically) as a class above everyone else. So he's just, um, a racist ( ... )
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I always got the feeling with Brian (at least in the book, though it's been ages since I read it all the way through, but my copy has a handy index so's I can just go straight to the Rebecca parts) that he sort of saw her as a generic woman, attractive but not an individual in her own right (except for maybe the extra bit of illicitness from her being Jewish) until the moment when she threatens to jump, and he realizes she would do it. I doubt many people had ever had the courage to stand up to him, and especially for a woman to do it? That would make him see her differently.
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Hurting him has less moral consequences than taking on an equal, speaking of if you're around and up for it at any point I'd love to continue their thread.
Also I'm taking a break from my masters, it wasn't making me happy or healthy, so I'm relaxing and enjoying my last eleven days in New Zealand.
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