Uhtred and Brida both were Saxons before. So what if they were brought up by the Vikings? I personally think one would never forget his own home, especially taking someone whose father was killed in front of him.
Clark: Jonathan Kent; isn't it a little past your bedtime?
Same. Little Uthred comes right out and says (mumbles) that his father "wasn't fond of him". And then there's that moment when Ragnar tells him he's proud of him and little Uthred's heart breaks. The kid actor did a great job selling that moment; it's neither overacted nor cheesy nor melodramatic, just poignant and powerful as all hell if you're paying attention.
Yeah Uhtred does say in the beginning that his real father was never really fond of him. But still it doesn't really mean that he should switch allegiance so eaily. I mean, ok, if Ragnar was like a father to him then he should be alright with him and his family alone. But to join the Danes (esp. like Brida keeps persisting) beyond that seems strange.
Clark: Jonathan Kent; isn't it a little past your bedtime?
But to join the Danes (esp. like Brida keeps persisting) beyond that seems strange.
Brida thinks the Danes are stronger and will eventually win. She has seen them winning all her life. It is a pragmatic choice as well as one of cultural identity. She hasn't grown within the Saxon culture and doesn't belong there. Uhtred has the same problem, he is constantly faced with the fact that he grew up as a Dane and behaves like one.
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Its much worse in the novels. Uthred was terrified of his father and was pretty much ignored up to the point where his brother managed to get himself killed. From that point Uthred father started to treat him worse in an odd combination of ruler-Crashcourse and lack of empathy or even respect.
Of course Uthred would not be one inch better to his first son when he actually became a priest...renamed him Judas that day and nearly killed him in a hissy fit...
I haven't read the source material, but the little girl playing Brida looks a couple years younger than Uthred's 12, and I can tell you from experience that childhood alliegances mean little. I moved to Sweden at age eight, and I grew up to feel almost entirely Swedish. I still have something of an outsider's perspective, and I am familiar with my original culture, but Swedes make more sense to me than any other people. I see no reason why Brida would not grow up to identify more as a Dane than as a Saxon. In fact I would be surprised if it were the other way around. Uthred, at 12, would perhaps be a little more divided.
I guess it's similar to a Native American child seeing his own tribe and family slaughtered. To only be taken and adopted by the ones who massacred his family and people. And for that NA to grow up wanting to be white and aid the Americans in slaughtering every single NA they see.
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
He never forgets his home, he spends his entire life longing to return home. He was captured as a 10 year old- novels- his father didn't care for him, his uncle tries to kill him, but Ragnar the elder admires his spunk and adopts him as his own son.
As I go through life, I realized it is hell of easy to change allegiances for myself and for others. People go for convenient self-preservation. Honor and loyalty are rare.
I was just asking similar question, but about christianity. Christianity is disgusting death cult obsessed with sin, imaginary ailment they think everyone is suffering from, but them.
Why would anyone want to join that cult?
Entire europe had their own religions, most of them made more sense than christianity, as they were "agrar" religions, with gods of sun, and dirth and rain, gods that put food on your table. It makes no sense for them to just abandon these real gods of nature for god of afterlife.
Yet they did. So I guess betraying your roots is far easier than it seems.
___ Anyone who has ever read any spoilers, knows that Winter Is Coming
People who are afraid of Christianity really will go to any ridiculous lengths to discredit it. Sorry that part of the doctrine holds you accountable for your actions. I know it's easier to do as you please. Lol
I wonder about this as well. It's not just giving up their religions since it's understandable but they no longer feel English, they only want to be Danes. And it's not just abandoning your people for those that slaughtered and conquered yours but turning your back on your family. Your flesh and blood who was slaughtered before your very eyes by the people who you now profess as family. By the same people who continue to plunder, rape and murder women and children.
I can't relate to how easy it was for them to turn from their family and people and identify with the ones who slaughtered them.
Even Theon Greyjoy showed discomfort in his betrayal.
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel