Vir

RE: The Naming of Things... (2 Replies) Vir - 06/27/1998 - 10:19:17 P

Interesting that you should ask. I was lurking on the boards for quite a while before I found a post I wanted to answer, and I needed a nick quick, so I just pulled it out of the air. I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of B5 related nicks out there; I also noticed that people named after popular characters (KOSH, Corwin, Sebastian, etc) had to fight to hold onto their names. People with aggressive names or names with some connotation of authority always had to be ready to defend themselves or lose their rights to the name.

So I chose a name that I'd never seen anyone use, yet belonged to a recognizable character. A name that would make people *underestimate* me, so that I could post humor or information without being challenged. Ignored possibly, mocked even, but not attacked. "We know you Vir Cotto; you are weak, you are foolish..." as the Drazi said.

Maybe, maybe not, but I'm never far away from the dueling blade...I just hope I never have to use it.

FYI, I have two kittens named Mab and Morgan.
RE: The Naming of Things... (1 Reply) mab - 06/29/1998 - 10:24:22 A

Vir:

1) I love "I, Claudius" -- have you ever read "Claudius the God", its sequel? Robert Graves is an amazing writer -- so detailed and meticulous and yet so apt at capturing lives long past. "The White Goddess" is also a wonderful book for anyone interested in the origins of poetry, goddesses and the bardic tradition in Celtic society.

2)I also love the name Vir because of it's double entendre -- "vir" or "man" in Latin, i.e. the average man. Yet Vir is anything but average and yes, as tOM pointed out, it is "meek" Vir who will one day become Emperor. And I'd be willing to wager that he will be the best emperor the Centauri have had in a loooong while. I think he hides great strength beneath his gentleness.

Excellent kitty names!

mab
RE: The Naming of Things... (3 Replies) Vir - 06/29/1998 - 01:01:31 P

Thanks mab.

I've had a thought.

Vir *is* Claudius, the disregarded "fool" of a political survivor who achieves supreme power without ever really wanting it. Londo would be Tiberius: the nationalist who becomes ruler too late.

Cartagia = Caligula.
Eureka!!! (1 Reply) mab - 06/29/1998 - 01:59:15 P

Wowzers!

I think you nailed that, Vir. It's suddenly so clear!!!

Going back to look at the "Claudius" books one more time,

mab
RE: Eureka!!! (0 Replies) Vir - 06/29/1998 - 08:29:08 P

Just came to me. I knew Caligula was Cartasia a long time ago, I just never thought to match up the "hairy ones" with the Centauri before. I never did read "Claudius the God", but I did see the miniseries and I've read some of "White Goddess".


Hmm I wonder if Vir was hiding behind the curtains. (0 Replies) pookha - 06/29/1998 - 01:29:41 P 

But then again Vir comes out on his own and isn't dragged out by the Centauri palace guards.

I always loved that speech in "I, Claudius" when the people who believed they could control Claudius realizes that there was a lot more to him than they realized...

to paraphrase.. the one where Claudius says "I may be a half wit but at least I still have mine when others have lost all of theirs."

pookha



Yes! (1 Reply) tOM - 06/29/1998 - 01:13:51 P 

I think that you have it absolutely. The only thing missing was that Cartagia didn't appoint his horse to the Senate.


 
Zeusy (1 Reply) Vir - 06/29/1998 - 05:01:18 P

Not that we know of. But he did talk to his collection of heads. I think Idi Amin used to do that.

RE: Hey about that this about him (0 Replies) North Star - 07/01/1998 - 09:19:37 P 

>>>And that emperor did talk to the statues that were all around the place of the Forum.

---------------------------

RE: The Naming of Things... (1 Reply) tOM - 06/29/1998 - 09:02:21 A

Yes, but Vir does get to become emperor at the end.


 
RE: The Naming of Things... (1 Reply) Vir - 06/29/1998 - 10:14:59 A 

That's true. We have no way of knowing what *kind* of Emperor he'll make. Ever read "I, Claudius"?
Yes, I've read the whole series. (2 Replies) tOM - 06/29/1998 - 01:18:25 P

If I remember right, there are three books.

I'm sure you know that it was Claudius, not Caesar, who conquered Britain. Just think...without Claudius:

We would not have Maximillian ("In Hoc Signum Vinces") and Christianity does not become the official religion of the Roman Empire...

We do not have Arthur...

We do not have MPFC and the "Search for the Holy Grail."
as long as he stays away from anyone named messalina (0 Replies) pookha - 06/29/1998 - 05:20:07 P


Three? (1 Reply) mab - 06/29/1998 - 03:35:11 P

I didn't know there was a book after "Claudius the God". What's the title?

Ever read any of Graves poetry? If you enjoyed the books you'll love it.

mab

RE: Three? (0 Replies) tOM - 06/30/1998 - 09:20:35 A

I could be mistaken. Perhaps it's because everyone is writing trilogies today. I write the occasional poem myself and, unfortunately, find it nearly impossible to read anyone else's poems. I probably should publish something so that people could savage my poems as I've savaged theirs. It would produce a certain symmetry.

......................................
The Gardener's Archives | Site Map | B-Board: Write your tale here |
mab's Question: The Naming of Things | Index of Online Nicks