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Sword of the Lictor, chapters 1 to 4
And we're back! Severian is Lictor of Thrax. Dorcas goes missing in the city and when Severian finds her again she is unable or unwilling to speak. Meanwhile, trouble is stirring in Thrax, and the Archon is requests Severian's attendance at a gathering for the great and good of the city- though suggesting he is likely to have to work while there.
Some thoughts:
(*) Thrax is given an interesting description. It sounds like it's built into a hydroelectric dam.
(*) Severian's speech to Dorcas, justifying his profession, sounds more like he's trying to convince himself.
If I can forget some of his previous thoughts and actions, I feel I almost like Severian in these chapters. Based on the last time this happened, he's probably about to do something awful.
Comments
I feel the same way. I'm just waiting for him to do something hideous!
There's probably more going on with Dorcas than just her being upset that Severian has a job to do. I don't know what, but could it be connected to the ritual at the end of the last book?
Severian's speech was one of self-justification. Is this a sign that he's starting to reconsider his role and what he does to support the rulers? Is he starting to become politically aware?
And it was interesting in his speech that all the justifications were about punishment and retribution. There was little there about deterrence, and nothing at all about rehabilitation. The attitude seems very much to be one of eliminating wrong-doers, rather than trying to return people to being productive members of society.
I agree there's almost certainly more going on with Dorcas. We mustn't forget the trauma of her being dead- and she's not remotely recovered from that.
Good point re: rehabilitation, @NeilNjae . Dorcas seems unconvinced, in any case.
I feel like the writing is even better in this book than the previous two. The first few chapters are lovely, anyway.
Interesting that the Archon has a first name, now, and one that isnt widely known to the citizenry. Abdiesus was the name of one (or perhaps a few) early Christian missionaries martyred in Persian during the rule of Shapur II in the 4th C. Shapur was in the process of creating a Zoroastrian state, and Abdiesus (aka Habad Jesus) was in the way. When I read this I recalled that the prophet Mani (Manichaeism) was similarly killed by a Persian King who was considering Zoroastrianism, but checking it turns out that was in the 3rd Century and was King Shapur I.
I predict @clash_bowley 's new bromance with Severian will not last the week.
I am certain @Apocryphal is correct! Not being a complete and utter dick is high praise for Severian from me!
Like others, I enjoyed these chapters, with their very different focus. But the city's problems are not very far below the surface.
If Severian runs to form, he'll find an alternative woman at this party
More seriously, the Claw now seems burdensome to him rather than simply a curious gizmo. I wonder also if its presence is part of Dorcas's problems?
Good observation. It's almost as if Severian is starting to think of the consequences of his actions, and what he should do with the Claw. Maybe there's yet hope that he'll become an actual human being!
Is it the presence of the Claw, or is it a consequence of her resurrection? It's also curious that Dorcas became ill after they'd been some time in Thrax.
LEXICON
Hieromonach: A monk who is also a priest. Think we had this one before.
Harena: Literally, a sandy place. Figuratively, a place in which organized combats are held - root of Arena.
Capulus: Here meaning the hilt of a sword. Also means sarcophagus, bier, sepulchre, or tomb.
Herman: From Old English, meaning army-man or soldier.
Acies: The name of the castle, comes from Latin "sharp". An obsolute meaning is to devote ones full attention to something.
Archon: The title of the governor of Thrax. From greek, meaning 'ruler' (literally) or 'magistrate' (figuratively).
Vincula: The name of the prison, comes from the verb vinculum, which means to bind, fetter, or tie.
Clavigers: from Latin, literally a 'club-carrier'.
Autochthons: An indiginous person - literally someone who arose from the soil. They still use this word in Quebec french to refer to native affairs. The people of Athens also referred to themselves as autochthonous, believe they arose after Hephaestus made a clumsy pass at Athena and ended up getting sperm on her leg, which she wiped off in disgust with a cloth and threw on the ground. And from this the indigenous people of Athens literally sprang from the earth.
Zoanthrops: Historically, one afflicted with a type of insanity where one believes they are a beast. According to the Lexocon Urthus, however, a Zoanthrop is a person who has elected to become a beast man by having their fore-brain removed.
Cultellarii: From the Middle-Ages, irregular soldiers whose principle weapon was a long knife or short sword.
Jelab: Hooded, ankle-length, loose-fitting robe from North Africa.
Jacals: A wattle and mud hut, from Nahuatl word 'xacalli'.
Kaberu: African mountain wolf.
Amphitryons: Amphitryon was a Theban general or king and son of Perseus. In greek myth he killed is father-in-law, then went into hiding. While hiding, he was cuckolded by Zeus, who fathered Heracles on his wife, Alcmene, by impersonating Amphitryon. Poetically, an amphitryon is a host or entertainer. None of these meanings really fit the context, though, unless here an amphitryon is 'an exile'.
Exarchs: Governor of a distant province (Byzantine)
Ethnarcs: Similarly, ruler of a tribe, people, or nation.
Starosts: Slavic term meaning community elder or clan leader.
Huanaco: From Quechua 'wanaku', a cameloid similar to a llama.
Carcanets: A necklace or ornamental collar, usually made of gold decorated with jewels.
Abdiesus: The personal name of the Archon - it means 'one who serves Jesus', which is actually quite similar to the meaning of Christopher.
Decollations: Fairly obvious from the text, another word for 'behead' or 'decapitate'.
Ridotto: 18th C. England - a masquerade.
Planteration: Wolfe gives the meaning, but in fact I can't verify it anywhere - not even in the Wolfe Wiki or the Lexicon Urthus. Possibly he made it up? My guess this is meant to be "Plenteration" (from the Latin root 'plene' for 'full'). And even so, it's probably still made up.
Claves: Clubs, as per the 'clavigers' mentioned above.
> LEXICON
> Capulus: Here meaning the hilt of a sword. Also means sarcophagus, bier, sepulchre, or tomb.
>
> Abdiesus: The personal name of the Archon - it means 'one of serves Jesus', which is actually quite similar to the meaning of Christopher.
A couple of extra thoughts here:
Capulus might also suggest Capulet (from Romeo and Juliet) and hence hint at rivalry and strife between factions in the city.
Abdiesus cunningly (to my mind, at least) hints at religious syncretism - the Abd- prefix is one that in today's world we associate with Islamic names, though of course it doesn't have to be so linked.