Week 6 reading response

Humans have always been attracted to the “dark and unknown” parts of the world and wanting to defeat “it”. For example in this story is Raymodin and his incessant need to override his promise to Melusine and goes to search for her on Saturday. “The memory of his oath and of all his preceding life forgotten, he slid, fascinated, toward the unknown source of his misfortune and loss”(Knight, 124). The enticement of the unknown and the potential for gaining more control which means more power for Raymodin (or humans). Since, Raymodin fights on the behalf of God, this will be a victory for Christianity as well. The justification of control over new domains is forgiven and encouraged in the name of God. The quote also highlights how Raymodin is ignoring all the telltale signs to turn back and go back to his environment. But, his obsession with Melusine’s unknown secret had turned into an obsession that he need to quench by any means discover the truth. This a reflection of human nature and the curiosity of wanting to gain more knowledge despite having a gut feeling that it will cause more harm than good. The greediness for power/ control of unharnessed beings can take a turn of destructiveness to both parties.

One thought on “Week 6 reading response

  1. Hi Jazmine!

    I agree, Raymondin is the true ‘snake’ of the story. His overwhelming desire for absolute control over Melusine is manifested in his obsession with knowing what happens on her sacred Saturdays. I think this illustrates a broader idea of how humans desire control over the environment, but since it will always be something we can never fully know or understand, we have this obsession and curiosity to constantly discover more.

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