tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post3013250573289804113..comments2024-03-23T12:38:46.260+00:00Comments on The History Girls: Was the Son of Achilles a Psychopath?Mary Hoffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06241989732624913706noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-46101712419337481502018-05-09T20:36:08.659+01:002018-05-09T20:36:08.659+01:00Thanks, Konrad! I'll check that out.Thanks, Konrad! I'll check that out. Caroline Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07249424644829463560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-79702402490035197982018-05-09T15:54:33.454+01:002018-05-09T15:54:33.454+01:00Interesting perspective, I think you have a good a...Interesting perspective, I think you have a good argument for his psychological behavior. If you read into the later myths of Neoptolemus, aka the Greek tragedies, you might find even more evidence because his story only gets even more gruesome, ending with his death on the steps of the Shrine at Delphi.Konrad Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10482252321793323550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-31455055367221361912013-01-10T09:31:30.239+00:002013-01-10T09:31:30.239+00:00Powerful and brutal stuff indeed, touched with hor...Powerful and brutal stuff indeed, touched with horror and pity.<br /><br />I suppose there's always the question (theoretical given that we're taking about fiction) of whether Neoptolemus goes over the top because he is driven from a very early age to prove himself the equal of his legendary warrior father, or even to exceed Achilles' bloody deeds, in order to gain the respect of the Myrmidons and fulfill his prophesised role in securing a Greek victory.<br /><br />Ken Catran takes this tack with some success in his gritty YA novel about Neoptolemus, "The Golden Prince".<br /><br />I've often wondered if Alexander the Great might have been a pyschopath - he certainly appeared to show berserker qualities at times.Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02367569632016734415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-43487179010145377462013-01-09T16:18:14.462+00:002013-01-09T16:18:14.462+00:00This is marvellous stuff! Thanks Caroline!This is marvellous stuff! Thanks Caroline!adelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15826710558292792068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-22267490553390470582013-01-09T13:25:17.894+00:002013-01-09T13:25:17.894+00:00Hmm. I only meant Marlowe 'revels' in it a...Hmm. I only meant Marlowe 'revels' in it as a writer for its great power as a dramatic scene. Yes, I'm sure there's a better word. Maybe 'makes the most' of it? <br /><br />Stroppy, I've got Baren-Cohen's book started somewhere but found it hard-going. Must have another try!<br /><br />Thanks for kind comments, one and all! :-)<br /><br />Caroline Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07249424644829463560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-91977315954377081402013-01-09T12:57:22.502+00:002013-01-09T12:57:22.502+00:00Wonderful post, Caroline! Loved every word. Must s...Wonderful post, Caroline! Loved every word. Must speak up in defence of Marlowe, though. I don't think he is 'reveling' - or why would he use the word 'butcher'? To me the passage reads as grimly exact, but full of disapproval.<br />I agree with Sue Purkiss - I'd watch your TV series about these poems!Susan Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738737493756183909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-21808596200118687182013-01-09T09:47:32.298+00:002013-01-09T09:47:32.298+00:00Brilliant, Caroline!
You might also like Simon B...Brilliant, Caroline! <br /><br />You might also like Simon Baron-Cohen's Zero Degrees of Empathy on the psychology and neurology of psychopathy. I used it when writing a psychopath, but it would be just as useful when reading a psychopath.Stroppy Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16560035800075465845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-910591653314599622013-01-09T09:34:22.919+00:002013-01-09T09:34:22.919+00:00Yes, fascinating, and if Neoptolemus really existe...Yes, fascinating, and if Neoptolemus really existed - perhaps he did - and really was outstandingly cruel, you can imagine how stories about his character night have survived. Quite a thought. Katherine Langrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529700103932422873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-51263759480259897102013-01-09T09:19:46.195+00:002013-01-09T09:19:46.195+00:00Gripping and horrific. I knew Priam was killed, bu...Gripping and horrific. I knew Priam was killed, but I had no idea how horribly.<br /><br />You should do one of these documentary series, Caroline, bringing the Aeneid to life! You'd be brilliant!Sue Purkisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09084528571944803477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-63341808937865980452013-01-09T09:18:58.360+00:002013-01-09T09:18:58.360+00:00It wouldn't surprise me at all to think that N...It wouldn't surprise me at all to think that Neoptolemus is a psychopath. He is a scary character. Richard Powell, Author of Whom The Gods Would Destroy seems to think so too; his Achilles is shown as unbalanced, but his son as mad. Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5502671101756463249.post-37766680879431593472013-01-09T09:04:04.890+00:002013-01-09T09:04:04.890+00:00Fascinating!Fascinating!Jessica Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08665523780886208301noreply@blogger.com