Was Canute's character development in Vinland Saga, jarring or organic?
So, I've watched Vinland saga many times and I understand what the priest was saying to Canute about everyone deserving love and that death is love because it is not partial. And it also makes sense that when you learn about your father wanting to kill you and your father-figure, Ragnar died mysteriously, you would fall into deep depression and would not be far away from becoming nihilistic. But, does it make sense that you can withstand the giant punch coming from Thorkell and you don't even flinch? Or commanding an army just by showing some confidence and conviction? Or becoming increasingly hyper-masculine, behaviorally at least and start preaching philosophy.
I get that it's a show and for dramatic purposes you do things. As much as I like it, this part always takes a little time to digest. How was your initial response? And how many video essays did you watch to understand this part of the story🙃
I get that it's a show and for dramatic purposes you do things. As much as I like it, this part always takes a little time to digest. How was your initial response? And how many video essays did you watch to understand this part of the story🙃
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And... well, yea, that's the "problem" (if it can even be called a problem) - we know *some* of the things that happened, like, there was a Danish guy called "Canute" who ruled England for a time and that a number of Danes reached the north American continent before Columbus ever stumbled across it. But all the details? It's more mythological rather than a long list of facts. Hell, even the location of "Vinland" isn't known 100% certainly.
So yes, I'm completely fine with Canute getting a wake-up call in the form of a fist in the face :) It's more about the *feel* of the moment, rather than what's realistic.
The entire show plays with these themes of fatherhood and how these bonds influence the children and carry on generational violence. It is no secret that Canute was heavily neglected by his father and raised to be this weak compassionate child by his caretaker instead, who shielded him from the harsher realities of the world. Losing his caretaker was the primary catalyst for Canute's changes, traumatizing him and forcing him to find a new place for himself. He seemed shelter from the drunk priest hoping to hide himself under religion and God. But the priest deliverered instead a horrifying revelation that the love and shelter he sought from God (and by metaphor his own neglectful father), was literally unobtainable and that it is the purpose of his children to forever seek and work for his love in the mortal realm. I think it is this revelation that life's purpose is to struggle and fight violently your entire life even for the love of God that breaks Canute so completely, realizing that violence and fighting for your place in the world is the right answer. He will never be acknowledged by his father by sitting under the wings of protectors like he did before. He had to fight for acknowledgement.
The moment with Canute not flinching at the punch shouldn't be taken so literally. Just like how characters like Thors and Askelaad are basically depicted as superhuman demigods when fighting. The unflinching presence of the new Canute was just a symbol that he had finally found his resolve. That he would no longer cower and whimper, but was now finally a leader worth following because he had ambition and purpose in his eyes.