|
''The Firebrand'' is an 1987 historical fantasy novel by American author Marion Zimmer Bradley. Set in the ancient Greek city of Troy, the novel is a re-telling of Homer's epic poem, the ''Iliad''. ''The Firebrand'' is written from the point of view of Kassandra, the prophet daughter of King Priam of Troy, and also features other prominent characters from Greek mythology. As in the ''Iliad'', Kassandra foresees catastrophe for her city but few pay heed to her warnings. In Bradley's story, Kassandra is presented as a strong and insightful woman, rather than as a sufferer of insanity. The novel has been described as belonging to the genres of revisionist history and feminist literature, and employs themes of gender, religion, and power. Bradley wrote it after the success of her 1983 novel ''The Mists of Avalon'', a re-telling of the Arthurian legend from a female perspective. To appeal to a wider readership, ''The Firebrand'' includes fewer elements of fantasy than Bradley's previous works. Her only novel set in ancient Greece, her husband Walter H. Breen helped her research the story. Simon & Schuster released ''The Firebrand'' on October 1, 1987 in hardcover, and it was issued in paperback in September 1988. ''The Firebrand'' has been overshadowed by the popularity of ''The Mists of Avalon'', receiving less attention and critical praise. Reviews of the book ranged from mixed to positive, with many literary critics praising Bradley's ability to give new characterizations to legendary figures. It has been translated into at least twelve languages, beginning with Portuguese and French in 1989. ==Main characters== Princess Kassandra of Troy is the story's protagonist,〔Sharp, p. 249.〕 and it is told from her perspective.〔〔Thompson, p. 192.〕 It begins when an elderly Kassandra tiredly agrees to correct the Homeric version of the Trojan War that is told by a traveling minstrel.〔Bradley, pp. 1–4.〕〔Dorschel, p. 155.〕 Kassandra recounts her life experiences at Troy and Colchis,〔Thompson, p. 191.〕 how she came to balk at the gender roles dictated by Trojan culture, and her inner turmoil over whether she should be serving the Goddess or Apollo.〔Bray, pp. 106–07.〕 In her early years, Kassandra is known among her family as the "clever girl," while her older sister Polyxena is the "proper, modest", and "pretty one".〔Bradley, pp. 53, 141.〕 Her parents intend for Kassandra to be brought up as a lady and to eventually marry a noblemanto her gradual displeasure.〔Thompson, pp. 192–93.〕 She often comes into conflict with her father, King Priam,〔Bradley, pp. 38–39, 195, 248.〕 who is characterized as cruel, violent, and power-hungry.〔Dorschel, p. 177.〕 Queen Hecuba and Kassandra are not close; the queen often disparages her daughter for her prophecies.〔Bradley, pp. 29, 153, 167.〕 Though Hecuba grew up as an Amazon,〔Bradley, p. 13.〕〔 she gradually adopted patriarchal Trojan customs as her own.〔Thompson, p. 193.〕〔Dorschel, pp. 167–68.〕 The warrior Hector is close to their sister Polyxena,〔Bradley, p. 464.〕 and is described by Kassandra as a bully.〔Bradley, p. 112.〕 He disapproves of Kassandra's desire to be a warrior,〔Bradley, pp. 156–58.〕 but he is much loved in the city.〔Bradley, p. 481.〕 As an adult, Kassandra reflects, "of all (and Hecuba's children ), Hector was closest to their hearts, and () the least loved. Was it only that she had always been so different from the others?"〔Bradley, p. 470.〕 Kassandra is happiest when she travels with the Amazons,〔 whose chief Penthesilea becomes a mother figure for Kassandra.〔Bradley, pp. 82, 150.〕 Hector's wife, Andromache, is the elder daughter of Queen Imandra; despite Colchis' matriarchal culture Andromache is content to adopt Trojan culture and be subservient to her husband. She and Kassandra become close,〔Bradley, pp. 117–19, 187.〕 as does Kassandra with Helen, despite her initial distaste for the problems Helen brings to Troy.〔Bradley, pp. 228, 249–50, 272, 299.〕 Despite being her twin, Paris dislikes Kassandra.〔Bradley, pp. 146, 193.〕 Early in the story, Bradley writes that Paris' main character flaw is "a total lack of interest in anything that did not relate to himself or contribute in some way to his own comfort and satisfaction."〔Bradley, p. 59.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Firebrand」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|