12-03-2017, 09:58 AM
(12-03-2017, 08:42 AM)irukandji Wrote: I still think Renard loved Adalind in his own way. But this discussion raises an issue in my mind. If Renard merely viewed women as objects of lust, what in his childhood gave him such a low opinion of women, so much so that the Ripper could infect him and cause him to kill?My understanding was that the Ripper could hitch a ride and possess anyone briefly dead before being revived. It could have been Jeffrey Dahmer or Mother Teresa, morality wasn’t a factor.
But yes, Roiz’s description of Renard’s view on women is interesting and questions how the character formed that attitude. I’ve always questioned how Elizabeth came to be in a ‘relationship’ with King Frederick. We’ve seen how he looks and how he treats others. So I don’t see her being attracted to his masculine physique or admirable altruism. That more or less leaves his Royal status, power, and wealth.
I can see Elizabeth teaching Renard to use others to his benefit and not allow his emotions to interfere with his ambitions. But Elizabeth would have also been a strong female role model for Renard. He definitely appeared to respect her. So while I can see Renard judging ‘relationships’ on their merits of providing pleasure and/or being beneficial to his aspirations, I don’t think he necessarily considered his view disrespectful to women in general.
Renard didn’t respect Catherine or Adalind because neither woman expected or demanded his respect. And actually, both women devalued their own self worth in hopes of pleasing Renard. In contrast, Renard treated Adalind with more respect in S5 when she refused to fall back into their previous relationship style and settle for whatever attention he chose to give her.
"If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well." Rainer Maria Rilke