|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The One Ring Forums:
Tolkien Topics: Reading Room:
Sador as a mythologic figure:
Edit Log
|
|
Terazed
Nevrast
May 3 2014, 4:41pm
Views: 2466
|
|
Sador as a mythologic figure
|
|
|
It is interesting to think about whom Sador may represent in mythology. The lame or club footed craftsman is a well known figure in mythology. In Greek mythology he is Hephaestus the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes a.k.a Vulcan in Roman mythology. There is bit of a tie in here in the 19th century at least with the ideal of the artistic or creative hero (or genius). A physical or mental lameness gives the genius/artist greater insight into the human condition which they express in their art.
In Norse mythology the lame craftsman is Wyland the Smith. Wyland forges the magic sword Gram aka Balmung or Nothung (Need). Odin drives the sword in a tree and Sigmund pulls it out. Sigmund sleeps with his sister has a son. Sigmund becomes an outlaw in the woods. Odin eventually shatters Gram/Nothung and Sigmund is killed in battle. His son Sigurd inherits the broken sword. He is raised by the twisted and vengeful Regin who Wagner turned into the dwarf Mime (think Mim here). Regin cons/raises Sigurd for the sole purpose of killing the giant turned into a dragon Fafner in order to obtain the cursed gold and ring of the Nibelung (dweller in the mists) hoard. After that Regin/Mime intends to kill Sigurd. Sigurd does kill the dragon by hiding in a pit and driving his sword into the dragon's belly. Sigurd either drinks the blood or in some versions touches the blood on his sword which burns his hand (which he then puts in his mouth to cool). The dragon's blood allows him to listen to the birds' songs (gives him wisdom or prophesy) which warn him of Regin/Mime's treachery and Sigurd kills him and keeps the cursed Nibelung hoard.
It is easy to think of Turin as Kullervo but he is also as much Sigmund and Sigurd as well.
Viewed this way there are several possible ways to think of Sador. Could he be the forger of a living sword (Turin) who is broken and remade? Does his lameness make him a source of parental wisdom for Turin? Does Turin have to come back and be responsible for Sador's death in order to conquer his father figure from which he go on and marry his sister (a subconscious mother figure for him) in psychological terms? I can think of many more but it is a start.
(This post was edited by Terazed on May 3 2014, 4:44pm)
|
|
|
Edit Log:
|
|
Post edited by Terazed
(Nevrast) on May 3 2014, 4:42pm
|
|
Post edited by Terazed
(Nevrast) on May 3 2014, 4:44pm
|
|
|
|
