*is literally in awe at how fast you picked up on Freudian theory* Well done!!!
There is a connection with Italy’s childish behaviour and his childhood, but it more has to do with how Ancient Rome parented him.
The trauma young Italy experienced in his childhood is another thing altogether if you’re looking at how it impacts him today. In other words, how he grew up and the trauma he experienced influenced his personality in different ways.
Tell you what. I’ll save the trauma for another time, and will focus on the childish behaviours part tonight. I’ll even add Romano into the picture too. Post coming up soon!
I’ll admit. At first I was skeptical as to whether Prussia
shooting birds out of his hands had any particular reason outside of comedical
purposes. While what I’m about to say may still be a stretch, the symbolism of
the type of bird used adds a whole new understanding to this strip. It’s fascinating
and incredibly clever if Hima truly did mean to employ this extra layer of
meaning.
In Chapter 12 of World Stars, we’re given insight into the
origins of Germany. Right from birth, he was thrust into wars. It’s a good thing Prussia was there to step in and protect him.
Now, I think it’s already assumed by most that Prussia’s
birds are canaries. As a spirit animal, the canary represents new beginnings. The
sound it makes is also seen as a sort of healing song, one that cures the wounds
from a past life.
Tying this back to the strips, if Germany is reincarnated
from Holy Rome, then the canary’s symbolism of birth, new beginnings, and the
healing of wounds from past lives is especially relevant.
What’s more, we also
know that Prussia plays the flute, which in Greek mythology symbolizes the shepherd.
The shepherd’s role is to tend to their flock of sheep; that, as well as
herding said flock together.
I went into this in
an older theory, but basically, Prussia’s flute-playing – while also stemming from
the influence of Old Fritz, who also played the instrument – may in fact
symbolize how he herded the ‘flock’ of German states together into one sovereign
nation. Remember that it was Prussia who led this unification.
Taken together, Prussia shooting canaries out of his hands in a figurative sense can mean several
things. One, it represents Prussia soothing the wounds of the before fragmented
Germany. Two, it symbolizes Germany’s new beginning. Three, it can serve as a
reference to the brutal wounds that were
inflicted onto Holy Rome before he died in, yes, war.
And four, it can also be a reference to the number of new
beginnings Prussia himself has undergone. He started out as the St. Maria’s
order, evolved into the Teutonic Knights, somehow became Prussia, and then presumably
into East Germany.
I still don’t know how to feel, considering that the most
asinine thing – a bloody bird – can actually
symbolize all this.
Actually, the Italy brothers have been confused for each
other before. During the Christmas 2011 event, Cyprus can’t differentiate between
them and comments on how similar they look. Romano’s annoyed response hints that
this isn’t the first time he’s explained their differences.
Likewise, just before, Canada isn’t remembered. What I find interesting is that it’s Italy who recognizes him.
I think what distinguishes Italy and Romano from each other
more so than the NA brothers is that the formers’ personalities are conspicuous;
they stand out more.
Because Canada is soft-spoken, he’s easily overlooked. Meanwhile, America’s boisterousness is more memorable.
Oh yeah, for sure. The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen even make a few appearances in later chapters of World Stars.
I’ve always thought that the idea of Russia’s heart being frozen has really similar parallels with what happened in Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.”
Basically, shards from a magical mirror get splintered in a little boy’s heart. He slowly begins to freeze and looses his sense of humanity, becoming increasingly aggressive and cruel without realizing it. There’s also the antagonist of the Snow Queen, a rough female equivalent of General Winter.
I guess I’ll have to make a post on that some time soon, huh?
Sure! I’m sure you’ve noticed that the concept of marriage in Hetalia is different depending on the context and nations in question.
Sometimes there’s love, sometimes it’s a political alliance, or sometimes it’s just an awkward meshing of countries without any real significance to it. Post coming up soon!
Quite the contrary. Hima incorporates several of Freud’s ideas.
Freud was interested in dreams, sexuality (which includes erogenous zones, cough cough, Italy brothers and Austria), death, parenting/ its impacts on personality, and the inner workings of the mind.
You didn’t offend me at all, no worries. I said that Latvia’s short height was a result of multiple factors. His economy isn’t strong, he was repressed by Russia for a significant part of his life, and later, while being sovereign, he didn’t achieve full independence until the USSR’s dissolution.
What distinguishes Hong Kong is that his economy is huge (being a low-tax trading port), hence the taller height.
Ellawritesficssometimes 