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Vikings


Prettyphile

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Brilliant comment on the symbolism of Vikings:  I personally don't think that Floki's arc is over; it is too cheap for a classic character like him to disappear like that.

 

"Floki being being tied down while water drips on his head is a direct reference to Norse mythology . After Loki (Floki) kills Baldr (Athelstan), the favorite son of Odin (Ragnar), he is punished for his treachery by being chained with the innards of his son to three rocks while a serpent drips venom onto his face for all eternity, eventually Loki's wife Sigyn (Helga) holds a bowl over his to catch the venom, but whenever she moved to dump the venom, the poison will continue dripping on Loki's head, which makes him scream, which in turn causes earthquakes. Eventually Loki will break free of his chains and vows revenge on the gods, which is what causes Ragnarok"

 

 

 

 

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another great comment:

 

"

Ragnar awakes alone. Ecbert doesn't, but is alone regardless.

 

Ragnar goes to the hall, and welcomes that who he perceives to be a friendly spirit, may be Athelstan. But Ragnar is not terrified, just filled with anticipation. This is also a parallel of kingship, a king welcomes everybody into their hall.

 

Ecbert goes to the catacombs where he's hidden the Roman texts that Athelstan has transcribed into English(or whatever the language was at the time). Ecbert is filled with terror, and sorrow, and then anticipation. This is again a parallel to the above, Ecbert secretly took Athelstan earlier to the catacombs(or hidden chamber) where he shows Athelstan his hidden texts, that which he openly tells Athelstan he cannot show to the public or clergy for fear of being branded a heretic.

 

Athelstan arrives, hooded and cloaked, washing Ragnar's feet, as is a tradition in early religion, to wash away their sins, and requests Ragnar to be merciful towards Floki. "Mercy" as a statement. "Mercy" as a request. "Mercy" as a virtue.

 

Athelstan arrives with gusts of wind showing wrath, his face open with the hood thrown back, but shows the sign of the cross, so as to make Ecbert show sincerity and truthfulness towards everyone. Athelstan disappears without being able to be touched when both of them try, just to show that he's dead and beyond reach, and that they should not try, but simply listen and act. Ragnar reacts with both surprise and acceptance, Ecbert reacts with both joy and disbelief. Ragnar and Ecbert only wanted someone who understood them but loved them regardless of their faults. This is the thing. Ragnar believed in his gods because everyone else did, and yet still was inquisitive enough to believe in other gods. Ecbert only professed to belief because everyone did, and only did so because it gave him power."

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