Warriors: A Comparison

By Vitora

Two warriors: one a cat, the other a mouse. Mortal enemies? Perhaps, if they could meet. But Fireheart and Martin live in two different worlds—in fact, two different universes. Martin’s world is like the Middle Ages, where mice and rats battle each other for dominance and peace; he exists in the Redwall series, written by Brian Jacques. Fireheart protects his tribe, the ThunderClan, as he and his fellow cats fight to survive in the harsh world described in Erin Hunter’s Warriors series. Although Fireheart and Martin are both strong, war-like characters who strive to protect those who look up to them, they differ in several ways, three of which are their ideas on revenge, their life goals, and their conduct in battle.

First, the warriors have different ideas on revenge. Fireheart believes that justice is more important than retribution, and displays this in his behavior. When he first joins ThunderClan, a clan cat named Longtail torments him with the scornful name “kittypet” (meaning that Fireheart has lived with humans), and although the newly-named Fireheart fights him at first, he slowly forgives the older warrior. And when his best friend, Graystripe, deserts their friendship for a female from another clan and then returns later after she is dead, Fireheart kindly forgets their quarrels and eagerly accepts Graystripe as his companion again.

Martin the Warrior, in contrast, holds grudges and nurtures them until they nearly overcome him. When he is captured by the evil stoat tyrant, Badrang, the young mouse vows to slay his adversary someday—this promise drives him on to raise an army and destroy the tyrant’s fortress once and for all. Sadly, his first and only love, Laterose, is killed in the decisive battle. Left alone in the world, Martin travels through Mossflower Woods and ends up defeating yet another oppressor, Tsarmina the wildcat. Eventually, he lays down his sword and founds the peaceful abbey of Redwall, but the need for revenge on all vermin does not leave him, even to the end of his days.

Secondly, both fighters have chosen different ambitions. Fireheart feels that justice is the highest honor, and proves this when he pursues the mystery of Tigerclaw, the peculiarly innocent deputy around whom strange rumors circulate. Eventually, he solves this mystery, only after risking his life several times by braving Tigerclaw’s wrath to warn his leader, Bluestar. Only after Bluestar is severely wounded and the treacherous deputy is brought to justice is Fireheart recognized, and even given the position of deputy in Tigerclaw’s place. The young flame-colored cat’s motive for everything he does is this: protect the clan, even if it means my own death.

On the other hand, Martin the Warrior’s chief goal is to bring about the demise of all vermin. He has several reasons for this, one of which is the fact that villainous creatures like Badrang and Tsarmina killed his entire family. When Martin arrives in Mossflower Woods and sees the woodlanders under the iron paw of their wildcat queen, he immediately jumps at the chance to free them and destroy the pattern of tyranny. In doing so, he runs the risk of losing some of his newfound friends—this does not stop the determined warrior. Even when he puts down his sword and takes up the habit of Redwall, Martin remembers with hatred how vermin mercilessly murdered his family—a recollection that haunts him all his life.

Finally, both Fireheart and Martin fight in a different way and with a different spirit. In the book Fire and Ice, Fireheart and his clan engage in a battle against a rival tribe; during this fight, Fireheart lets Silverstream, Graystripe’s mate, escape. At other times, when he can deliver a killing blow, the young cat holds back and allows his enemies to escape with their lives, taking with them only minor injuries and wounded prides.

Quite the opposite, Martin the Warrior shows no mercy to his foes. He suffers from a condition known as the Bloodwrath; while in the heat of battle, the mouse is blinded by a red mist and strikes down anyone who steps in his way. His friends are in danger when the Bloodwrath overcomes Martin, and his enemies are at a much greater risk. Even the wildcat Tsarmina, who is larger and stronger than Martin, falls before his blade. And there is no mercy in Martin’s heart; only a burning hatred for vermin.

Overall, Fireheart and Martin the Warrior, though warriors both, are very different characters, most distinctly in their revenge motivations, their goals in life, and their combat behavior. Both are the heroes of their books; both are meant to teach lessons. Fireheart is the brave young warrior, and Martin is the strong but imperfect protector. Their creators intended them to be memorable, and indeed they both are—for very different reasons. Two warriors: unique characters both.

Author’s Note: If you hadn’t notice, I actually like Fireheart’s character better than Martin’s. *hides from the crowd shouting, “Blasphemy!”* So that’s why I was so down on Martin. But I say you should read the books before forming your own opinion – don’t just be a copycat (ha ha).