#devil and biblical imaginery

[reginarubie]

Dark Daenerys, the biblical series

So, since it has become such a big hit (reaching the four parts) I've decided to dedicate a whole post only to the four parts which compose the small series of biblical-referenced metas about dark Daenerys and the possible parallels or foils between her and some figures of the Bible.

A premise is very much in order.

While being Italian and a catholic, I am in no way an expert on the subject of biblical studies, not beyond what I've learned during the formative years of catechism (and I was the catechist's terror, tbh) and eventual studies and researches I did in school (when we studied, last year of high school, the Paradiso — the third cantica of Dante's Divina Commedia — and later when I studied canonical law at university) and the researches I did for these posts (with infos that can be found on the net) so I do not presume to hold the truth of this matter, nor the truth of what can be found in the Bible as it is extremely layered and profound, filled with meanings lost to us due the change of time, culture and shifts in the beliefs from when the books were first written and interpreted, to now.

So, this whole series was born because I suddenly realised something I had known, but not connected with Martin's work, all along. I've had classical studies before university (I studied latin and greek and literature and communication — both medias and in books — and such) so my knowledge in these matters is pretty broad but also pretty superficial (unless I've done researches for each matter, like in this case, and I still claim not to know enough anyway) as my studies took then another direction when I chose my university.

Having studied latin, and the Divina Commedia, I was perfectly aware that Lucifero (the name of the devil after the fall) means ‘bringer of light’ (portatore di luce), but it took me a bit to remember that ‘lightbringer’ (the one who brings light) is basically the same thing written in reversal — I am not a native speaker, after all, so some hues of the language still escape me; so when I was casually scrolling on the dark Azor Ahai theories I was suddenly hit as if by a bolt by the realisation that his sword, the mystical sword supposed to bring the dawn was called exactly like Lucifer (lightbringer) and that many associated that with Drogon — Lucifer, btw, is considered to be connected with the star of the dawn (the Morning Star).

From thereon it was almost as fever, for I did the post and suddenly ever piece seemed to fit together like a glove. And I am in no way claiming that GRRM did this purposefully (tho he might have), nor to hold the complete and utter, absolute truth about this; but knowing he was raised a catholic and how much of a well read man he is, it is not unthinkable that he might have been influenced even on a subconscious level by the biblical figures. After all, all stories (especially epic ones) recur around the same kind of archetypes and characters — pariah, messiah, dark heroes, etcetera — which are the same that can be found in some passages of the Bible. I mean, if I — who am not as well read, but was raised catholic and did some studies on the matter — could reach this conclusion it is not out of the realm of possibilities that in someway this played some part in the characterisation of his beloved characters.

Another premise might be in order.

While I do believe Daenerys is en route to become the last standing villain, or be seen as such by the people and by those who will come after her, I do not think she's only clean-cut a villain. She's a charismatic character, with flaws and strong points — she's clever, funny and charming, she can be empathetic and she's strong; she can also be ruthless and cruel, she can be cold and turn her gaze away, she can be too singleminded — and I don't believe Martin has a clean-cut cartoonish characterisation of her descent into darkness in mind (like the one we got during the show); most probably it will be heart-wrenching and tragic, as it is supposed to be, as that is the way, it seems to me, this is about to go down. This is why, when I speak of Daenerys I always take into account both her young age, her traumas and her attempts to do good things, as well as her darkest traits.

But, as I am in no way an expert, I am always open to others, who know better (or simply have a differing opinion) to say their own on this matter because it's totally possible that I've missed some detail which may hint in a different direction, or that there are other things I may ignore and that may play a part as well; so any input will be greatly appreciated!

part one: il portatore di luce; lightbringer and Lucifer, the parallels between Daenerys (possible other Azor Ahais) and the biblical figure of Lucifer

part two: Daenerys and Christ — foils; why her message and actions are not the same as Christs

part three: Daenerys and the Antichrist — he who denies the Father and the Son (also why Daenerys does not fit the Great Deliverer thematic)

part four: is Daenerys using freedom the same way ‘Lucifer’ supposedly uses the notion of free will? in this we also dissect the real reason behind her ‘freeing the Unsullied’ and her campaign east.