#avalonbards

[queer-ragnelle]

Hi avalonbards.

I’d rather have this conversation in DM, which are always open and we can still move there if you’d like, but I’ll reply here since you tagged me and we can go from there.

I gather this is about this post where I added my thoughts in reply to @mordredpendragon and @yvaintheadventurous regarding Geraint's treatment of Enid in The Mabinogion.

I stand by my statement that calling Geraint a "dumbass," and insinuating his lack of communication somehow lessens the harm he caused, is indeed dismissive of how his treatment toward Enid was unpleasant to read for Cain. A character or person's intent or circumstances are irrelevant when their actions are harmful. In highlighting what motives may be behind Geraint's actions, that is indeed justifying his behavior. As for the comparison between Enid and Branwen, I'm aware it was intended as a contrast. The reply said, "if you want to read about an abusive marriage, to compare the differences, read branch 2 that goes over what branwen went through." which is why I said, "comparing Enid’s abuse to Branwen’s abuse to insinuate that Enid’s doesn’t count because the other is worse is not really helpful."

In any case I'm not arguing with anyone. And I'm certainly not dogpiling. I reblogged a single time with my response and that was it. The post has been reblogged from me a single time with some tags. There's no ill-intent here whatsoever. We're all just having a discussion about a text we read. I'm not responsible for anyone but me. If anyone is getting additional messages over this or something you're interpreting as "dogpiling," I have no knowledge of that. I have no control over other people.

Whether or not anyone here likes the character is irrelevant, I just wanted to make it clear in my reblog that I wasn't responding to any implied favor for the character. I don't care. Gawain is so much worse than Geraint by raw body count standards and I love him. What I took issue with and responded to was a reblog on Cain's post expressing negative feelings about something he read, yvaintheadventurous's reblog addressing Cain by name, and then explaining why they believe Cain's interpretation, and the feelings associated with it, are misinformed. "He's not hurting her, his threats are hollow." I didn't agree with that.

Nothing I've said or done was uncivil, even if we disagree on things. And you certainly don't tell me what to do. Like I said, I'm more than happy to talk with any of you in DMs. I'm sorry if my reply hurt anyone's feelings, but it was certainly not intended to be hurtful, and accusing me of reading things in bad faith and dogpiling in a publicly tagged post is in really poor taste. As of right now I have no DMs or asks from anyone about this, only this post. So here's my reply.

We can end it here if you want, there's no hard feelings. I'm sorry this has caused such a ruckus. Just let me know what you folks would like to do and we can go from there. Take care and I hope you have a good rest of your day.

In regards to Geraint and Enid, I personally believe it's wrong to start the story without being able to put aside your own predetermined biases. I believe this about many stories. I set my feelings aside and read from a scholarly perspective. That being said, Geraint is an idiot, yes. A dipshit, in fact. I do not like him as a character, let me make this clear from the start.

I do not like Geraint and I understand perfectly why many dislike him and dislike the story.

However.

At no point did I see anyone dismiss anyone's feelings of discomfort over Geraint's behavior. At no point did I see anyone saying his actions were justified. At no point did I see any suggestions for comparing Enid and Branwen beyond to show the differences in their situations.

I don't like to get involved in discussions.

I often swallow my words when I wish to disagree and argue. But starting a dogpile, however unintentional it's starting to become one quickly, on my partner out of an apparent and likely unintentional as well bad faith misinterpretations of their words in a civil discussion? I cannot abide this. I will not abide it. I won't stand by and let it happen. Feel free to argue with me on their behalf, I don't care. I can debate for days.

But do not start this kind of behavior over, again, a civil conversation.

@queer-ragnelle

[gawrkin]

Noted by @avalonbards tag on one of my posts, I elected to highlight a few things about Culhwch:

[....]

Just like the rest of Camelot, Culhwch has his own supernatural gimmicks himself.

He's got a battle-axe that's so sharp it can make the air bleed . The rest of equipment and panoply seem improbably valuable for a nobleman, and his horse is preternaturally swift.

He can shout so hard it sterilizes you and can be heard all across the British Isles.

And - although I don't show it here - Culhwch does catch and hurl back Yspaddaden's javelins.

Because his personal story is partially a framing device for Arthur and his warriors' exploits, Culhwch doesn't get much chances to prove his mettle.

However, as shown, Culhwch would be as formidable as any other member of Arthur's court.

[avalonbards]

tumblr user avalonbards mabi, named after the mabinogion, tell us what your favorite branch is

gjxjgxkgx so very formal!

but aaahh my favorite branch of the mabinogion? man that’s like trying to make me pick a favorite arthurian legend! haha but ah no in all seriousness i do have one in particular i like the best.

branch 2: the children of llyr.

it’s got this mix of familial love, romantic love that turns to cruelty, loyalty, grief, and horror that i genuinely enjoy. manawyddan (as the version i read spells his name) is great and branwen…

oh branwen you poor sweet girl you deserved so much better.

there’s a reason the story i write with taliesin has him mourn the siblings so much, and branwen most of all.