Re: Forsaken Chapter - Edit 1
Before modification by AgentOrange at 19/09/2009 09:54:05 AM
I found the Forsaken chapter somewhat disappointing. It was clearly the work of someone who had all the superficial information about each Forsaken, but was trying to summarize their personalities all over again as if presenting it for the first time.
It's strange that you figured this out, yet attribute some of Brandon's 'shortcomings' to the character itself.
What is clear to me now is that the female Forsaken are even more gender-biased than the males when it comes to assessing the strengths of fellow Chosen. Everyone was criticising Rahvin for underestimating Lanfear in FoH, but Graendal seems to naturally consider the female Semirhage to be a foe as dangerous as Demandred. This despite her acknowledging that Demandred might have been the Dragon HIMSELF had he stayed with the Light!
you should reread that. She doesn't think he might have been the Dragon himself. She says that HE thinks he might have been. It's also impled she thinks he's deluding himself.
That simply does not make sense. It is clear that Demandred is the leader of the trio. And it is also clear that Graendal is not half as cunning and intelligent as everyone has been making out up to now.
I don't agree with either statement. There's isn't really a leader to the trio and there's nothing clear about it.
For one, it has NEVER before been suggested that Demandred sought to keep his alliance with Mesaana and Semirhage secret from the other Forsaken. For pete's sake, they've openly huddled together AT FORSAKEN MEETINGS in previous books. Arangar knew about their alliance in Book 11, yet she did not consider it to be any kind of achievement to have this insight. It is open knowledge. Yet Graendal thinks herself smart for "cracking that secret." I mean, come on.
This is Brandon's mistake. Quite obviously.
What has come across yet again, however, is just how dangerous Demandred is. In EVERY appearance thus far, throughout the series, he has only been regarded with respect or awe by other Forsaken. We have had references to his ability and menace from almost all the Forsaken by now.
I'm not sure I agree. One interesting part was when Demandred goes into a "Only I get to kill Lews Therin" fit, and Moridin kind of shrugs him off as a useful hound. "Yeah sure sure whatever. You'll do it". Later when Moridin is left with Graendal he remarks thar Al'Thor musn't be hurt till he faces Morirind on the last day. Clearly he isn't taking Demandred too seriously. I wonder if it might turn out to Rand's advantage at that final moment.
More revealing than Graendal's opionion, however, was Arangar's comparative view of Graendal and Demandred. The common thread between Arangar and Graendal's views was their high estimates for Demandred's ability. The difference, is that Arangar considered Graendal a far less dangerous adversary to try and manipulate. If I recall, her words were something to the effect that Demandred was far too dangerous to play her games with.
Yes, but that's because he might try to kill you. Graendal would rather entangle you in her plots. And she has more sense of humor to flirting/ploting.