Dagobert dies defeating the Huns. The Wanderer arrives on the battlefield although he had been unable to intervene earlier. Dagobert, dying, says:
"'Now take me away, Father -'" (337, p. 394)
Carl knows that he has come to be regarded as a god but does not yet think that this matters:
"'There were countless stories about Wodan's appearances among men. That most were fable, while a few reflected events that really happened - what difference does it make?'" (1980, p. 391)
The Teurings hail the thirteen-year old Tharasmund as their chieftain. It is Tharasmund's sons that will have the showdown with Ermanaric in 372. However, in 2025, I must prepare to make my way across town to meet Kevin and Les in the Gregson Centre. Fiction is always read or reread in a life context. Someone reading this story elsewhere in the world reads it in a context very different from mine. We might compare contexts as well as appreciations of the story.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
One of the things that interested about the battle Dagobert fought with the Huns was how the Goths were starting to pick up some Roman ideas about military organization and discipline.
Ad astra! Sean
Note that in Germanic mythology, even Wotan/Odin couldn't defy the Fates.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Germanic/Nordic myths were grim and bleak. I recall Anderson's critique of that mindset in HROLF KRAKI'S SAGA.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: well, -life- was grim and bleak in that area back then. Their Gods reflected their lives.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree. and that kind of hopelessness is one reason why the Germanic peoples eventually converted to Christianity.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: well, monarchs converting and saying "convert or I cut off your head and burn your farm" had a role...
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Of course, because human beings are like that, in both bad and good ways.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment