**Comparing Narnia and LotR** - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 06-11-2006, 02:37 AM

The Lady of the Green Kirtle is clearly the Fairy Queen. Anyone who knows the ballads Tam Lin & Thomas the Rhymer can have no doubt that Lewis is making one of his usual assaults on Pagan things. The Fairy Queen was one of the most powerful figures in Western Magic & tradition. Lewis very cleverly twists Pagan images to serve his purpose.

Anguirel · 06-11-2006, 03:24 AM

The Lady is a bit more complicated than that. She is a Faerie Queene, but she's a rationalist Faerie Queene. When she's trying to entrap the children underground she uses atheist invective, and is driven off by Puddleglum's faith. She also, of course, changes into a serpent, and so seems to represent temptation.

Worldly temptation, paganism and atheism equating to the same thing and encapsulated in one villainess. Perhaps.

I agree; the Lady of the Green Kirtle is so compelling because she has great and terrible strength of basic myth behind her. She's much more subtle than the simply imperious and cruel Jadis; she's pushing an agenda other than domination.

Though Jadis is wonderful too.

I actually would really like to see Miranda Otto as the Lady. I think she could do the warm friendliness and the scariness...

davem · 06-11-2006, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anguirel

The Lady is a bit more complicated than that. She is a Faerie Queene, but she's a rationalist Faerie Queene. When she's trying to entrap the children underground she uses atheist invective, and is driven off by Puddleglum's faith. She also, of course, changes into a serpent, and so seems to represent temptation.

Of course, but Lewis is clearly twisting the Archetype for his own purposes. Its more than interesting that the great villains of Narnia are female - 'anti-Great Goddess' figures. Lewis clearly equates maleness with the Good & femaleness with Evil. I also note that of the four original Pevensey children it is only Susan who 'succumbs' to worldliness & is not 'saved' in the end. Lewis does not give us the 'true' Fairy Queen, he gives us the 'warrior god' Aslan. The 'Goddess' in Narnia is a Margaret Thatcher figure, the 'God' is a George Bush clone. Lewis was not subtle.

Lalaith · 06-11-2006, 12:01 PM

The Lady of the Green Kirtle is also reminiscent of La Belle Dame sans Merci.

Lalaith · 06-11-2006, 12:18 PM

Oh, and Lamia, too. Although Keats had a far more interesting attitude to these matters than Lewis, IMO.

ninja91 · 06-11-2006, 12:34 PM

I have absolutely nothing against the LWW movie. I loved it. But you have to admit, the battle scenes were exactly like LOTR. When that minotaur gets on that rock and points forward, and his legions come forth, that is exactly like what happens in the movies at Helm's Deep. I remember there being a couple more... let me get back once I look at it again.

06-11-2006, 02:37 AM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	The Lady of the Green Kirtle is clearly the Fairy Queen. Anyone who knows the ballads Tam Lin & Thomas the Rhymer can have no doubt that Lewis is making one of his usual assaults on Pagan things. The Fairy Queen was one of the most powerful figures in Western Magic & tradition. Lewis very cleverly twists Pagan images to serve his purpose. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

06-11-2006, 03:24 AM	#2
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	The Lady is a bit more complicated than that. She is a Faerie Queene, but she's a rationalist Faerie Queene. When she's trying to entrap the children underground she uses atheist invective, and is driven off by Puddleglum's faith. She also, of course, changes into a serpent, and so seems to represent temptation. Worldly temptation, paganism and atheism equating to the same thing and encapsulated in one villainess. Perhaps. I agree; the Lady of the Green Kirtle is so compelling because she has great and terrible strength of basic myth behind her. She's much more subtle than the simply imperious and cruel Jadis; she's pushing an agenda other than domination. Though Jadis is wonderful too. I actually would really like to see Miranda Otto as the Lady. I think she could do the warm friendliness and the scariness... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

06-11-2006, 12:01 PM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	The Lady of the Green Kirtle is also reminiscent of La Belle Dame sans Merci. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

06-11-2006, 12:18 PM	#5
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Oh, and Lamia, too. Although Keats had a far more interesting attitude to these matters than Lewis, IMO. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling