Continuation of my re-read

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

I'm still re-reading "The Thief."
So, I'm not going to fully analyze these quotes, but I will offer them for contemplation. And I hope I don't get too spoilery for those who have not read Conspiracy of Kings yet (if there are any of those people still out there.)

When talking about religion:
     "Sophos shook his head. 'My father thinks that we should forget the old gods. He says that a country with two sets of gods
     is like a country with two kings. No one knows which to be loyal to.' "
Implications? Sounis technically ends up with two kings. What does Mr. Sounis think about that?

Gen thinking about how he might die on this crazy venture...
     "nor would I need to worry about Sophos as an assassin."
Be afraid Gen. Be very afraid.

(edited for formatting)

Comments

[tiegirl.livejournal.com]

Okay, for some reason your post just makes me laugh (of course not in a bad way, in a very very good way!). Mr. Sounis!!! D'ahahahahha! Assassin Sophos! OMG! It just has hit my FUNNY BONE!!!!

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

Yeah! I like knowing I made someone laugh!

And what else are we supposed to call Sophos' dad? It's easy to type and not clunky.

And Gen gave Sophos the gun!

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

VERY interesting quote!

I'm not sure how seriously we are supposed to take Sophos' father as a fount of rulerly advice, however...

And of course, we see that Attolia now not only has two kings (essentially: Attolia and Attolis) but also two sets of gods (the 'old' ones that Eugenides has imported, and the 'new' ones that everyone in Attolia has worshiped for generations...)

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

True, but he is still going to try to influence his King/son. It's his duty as a father (and a politiciany-like person.)I'm hoping Sophos has the sense to continue to listen to the Magus.

But it will be interesting to see what kinds of issues this brings up in the three countries.

[drashizu.livejournal.com]

That's right, isn't it? Sophos's father was very much against going to Attolia for help. He wanted to ask the Medes instead, and when the magus wouldn't let him, he figured they'd go to Melenze. (I think I'm remembering that right...) I wonder how that's going to affect Sophos's rule.

Interesting, that both Gen's and Sophos's fathers have inherent disapproval for the way their sons became king---the Minister of War, because he hated Attolia and didn't want Gen to marry her; the Duke, because he didn't want Sophos to give up Sounis's autonomy to a foreign ruler.

Yet they both come around, because they love and support their kids. It's so heartwarming.

[drashizu.livejournal.com]

Sophos's dad's assertion about both the double gods and the double kings is especially interesting in its own right (to me at least) because it reflects a facet of his character that I don't think came across clearly in the first book, but which we get loads of in A Conspiracy of Kings. "No one knows which to be loyal to." How many times does Sophos point out that his father is stubborn in every way, including the matter of his loyalty? He may not have agreed with his brother the old king's policies, but he stuck by them even after the man was dead, because of his unswerving loyalty. I think that attitude about loyalty shows itself in this quote.

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

How do they have two kings? I thought they ended up rather vehemently confirming Sophos.

And LOL at that second quote :)

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

Sophos is the King of Sounis while Gen is Sophos' king. So, technically, two kings.

[drashizu.livejournal.com]

"nor would I need to worry about Sophos as an assassin."
Be afraid Gen. Be very afraid.

*dies*

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Ditto!

[amolegere.livejournal.com]

Holy cats, how did I miss that two kings quote on my reread? I will go add it to my notes this instant! Brilliant, thank you!

And Sophos, lol, awww!

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Nothing really intelligent to say, except for that is an awesome observation.

They certainly have two kings now.

[crazededdisian.livejournal.com]

Wow, great observations!

And now I'm wondering: why would Gen be worried about an assassin at that point in time? Why use the word "assassin"?

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

Assassin is an interesting word choice. This could be one of the parts where Gen slightly slips up and gives away some information about his real self. As a member of the royal family (even the disreputable part) he would grow up knowing that people in royal families get assassinated. This could also reflect on Gen's opinion of himself. Earlier in the book he tells the reader that he considers himself to be a hierarchy of one. As a hierarchy of one, he is worthy of assassination.