Book II of The Once and Future King, The Queen of Air and Darkness starts off introducing the four Orkney brothers, Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Gareth, and their mother Morgause's negligent parenting. Being very cruel to her children most of the time, and then every so often showering them with affection, so as to appease her need to be perfect in her own mind. Needless to say this inconsistent behavior confuses and mentally affects each of the boys.
Meanwhile Arthur is busy searching (with the help of Merlyn) for the way might should be used in his kingdom, at the same time that he is fending off a Gaelic rebellion led by Morgause's husband King lot. Once his opponents have been defeated, Arthur begins to make reforms in order to turn his kingdom into one in which might is used for right. Morgause travels to England and tricks Arthur into sleeping with her. Nine months later, Morgause gives birth to Arthur's son Mordred.
I believe that it is The Queen of Air and Darkness which really shows the utmost strength in T.H.Whites writing, the sharp change in tone and mood from the the first book, where Arthur is just a small boy having adventures in a world that I can only imagine as bright and cheerful, to the dark depressing, and twisted world in which the Orkney brothers grow up, really destroys any hope of not pitying these children, even when they grow older and so things, that without knowing any history on them would make you be disgusted by, and hate them.
With that the second book also shows more of White's great character development in Arthurs questioning of the way might is used. It is actually quite great to be able to see Arthur grow, and to watch as Merlyn deftly molds him into the great ruler he knows he will become. White also helps this second book, by leaving a little bit of the lighter mood from the first book with Pellinore and company, thus slowing the overall transition to darkness.
(I think I managed to summarize rather briefly for once... it only took me five hours longer then usual...)
Meanwhile Arthur is busy searching (with the help of Merlyn) for the way might should be used in his kingdom, at the same time that he is fending off a Gaelic rebellion led by Morgause's husband King lot. Once his opponents have been defeated, Arthur begins to make reforms in order to turn his kingdom into one in which might is used for right. Morgause travels to England and tricks Arthur into sleeping with her. Nine months later, Morgause gives birth to Arthur's son Mordred.
I believe that it is The Queen of Air and Darkness which really shows the utmost strength in T.H.Whites writing, the sharp change in tone and mood from the the first book, where Arthur is just a small boy having adventures in a world that I can only imagine as bright and cheerful, to the dark depressing, and twisted world in which the Orkney brothers grow up, really destroys any hope of not pitying these children, even when they grow older and so things, that without knowing any history on them would make you be disgusted by, and hate them.
With that the second book also shows more of White's great character development in Arthurs questioning of the way might is used. It is actually quite great to be able to see Arthur grow, and to watch as Merlyn deftly molds him into the great ruler he knows he will become. White also helps this second book, by leaving a little bit of the lighter mood from the first book with Pellinore and company, thus slowing the overall transition to darkness.
(I think I managed to summarize rather briefly for once... it only took me five hours longer then usual...)
No comments:
Post a Comment