The King Must Die (Theseus, #1)

Questions About The King Must Die (Theseus, #1)

by Mary Renault

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Answered Questions (5)

When Theseus finds Ariadne passed out after the ritual on Naxos, what does she have in her hand that makes Theseus sick? I assumed it was the fawn's heart (Theseus saw the mangled corpse in the forest), but I don't believe it is properly explained?
J. Andrew Brantley
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Susan Marcus I was surprised but not disappointed, As I read the work, I was wondering about Asterion's role as well as the different introduction and use of Ariad…moreI was surprised but not disappointed, As I read the work, I was wondering about Asterion's role as well as the different introduction and use of Ariadne's thread. The ending made sense. What disturbed me was Renault's depiction of Asterion as a 'dark' man, obese, squat, and rapacious. (less)
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I loved reading The King Must Die and The Bull from The Sea when I was about 19 (I'm now 68!). I wanted to buy them for my 13/14 year old granddaughter and can't remember if any of the content is unsuitable or unpalatable for that age group. Can anyone advise me please? Thank you Margaret
L. Legault It might be heavy going for a young person, not because of sexual content but because Theseus's end is so tragic. Still, I think a young girl with a s…moreIt might be heavy going for a young person, not because of sexual content but because Theseus's end is so tragic. Still, I think a young girl with a solid sense of self should be able to manage it. After all, they read Shakespeare's tragedies in school. don't they? I would give the books to my niece of that age, though I haven't yet done so.(less)
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Hi! Does anyone know how this book might be different in light of the many new finds in archaeology and related fields in recent history?
Kate McAllan Hi Elinore

Great question! The book was written just after Michael Ventris deciphered Linear B, which revealed so much more about the Mycenaean and Min…moreHi Elinore

Great question! The book was written just after Michael Ventris deciphered Linear B, which revealed so much more about the Mycenaean and Minoan worlds and which added richness to knowledge already discovered by excavators such as Evans. Many more texts have been added to the list of those discovered and translated, and many discoveries made about the site (including understanding more about the 'palace' at Knossos and the settlement around it), meaning some details could no doubt be added. The book is an interpretation of the material found viewed through myth, and this is still valid. While academic interpretations of material, Bronze Age texts and later myths are constantly changing and being refined, the essentials—that the large building at Knossos was a centre with an underground series of corridors and rooms, that Athens had relations with Crete, that some shrines were set in the countryside, etc—still stand. Current debate about kingship, whether the building at Knossos was a palace occupied by a king, etc, is complex and unresolved. In short, no doubt Renault would have changed some details with the benefit recent research, but I my view is that her interpretation still stands as being a possibility. Others might see the world she writes about somewhat differently, but they probably would have done so in the 1950s as well.

What I love about the books is that Renault uses the material culture so well. She doesn't labour her descriptions of objects; they are just there. Part of the reason her view of the world still works in the story is that she doesn't just stamp a medieval or modern view of kingship and courts, religion and even gender on the deeper past but makes it something different, apart and alien. (less)
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Does anyone else see misogyny in Mary Renault's novels? I understand that Renault's generation was burdened by even worse cultural sexism than our own, and sometimes writers from older generations suffer from proportionately worse attitudes themselves. It seems that women in her novels are depicted as either shrewish harpies or as sly, unreliable, capable of outbursts of savagery.
Susan Marcus At first, especially during Theseus' captivity in Eleusis, I balked at the negative presentation of a matriarchal society, but I think Greek mythology…moreAt first, especially during Theseus' captivity in Eleusis, I balked at the negative presentation of a matriarchal society, but I think Greek mythology arose from a culture in which women were chattel and secondary, with little opportunity to be more than that. So, in the context of this story, sexism is not part of the characters' mindset. And, in contrast, some of the women bull-dancers were strong, independent, and fierce. (less)
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