Septon Meribald's "Broken Men" Speech (ASOIAF reading)

Summary

The script explores the tragic transformation of common folk into 'Outlaws,' driven by war's brutality. Initially, they join with dreams of glory, but the harsh realities of battle, loss, and survival lead them to steal and betray their own kind. The narrative emphasizes the transition from hopeful warriors to desperate, broken men, highlighting the compassion needed for these individuals while acknowledging the danger they pose.

Takeaways

• 🦅 Outlaws are diverse, much like birds, with some being noble and others driven by greed and malice.
• 🎵 The romanticized image of outlaws as good men fighting against tyranny is a common theme in songs and stories.
• 🏰 Many outlaws are common folk who were forced into a life of crime due to war and hardship.
• 🛡️ War can turn simple villagers into soldiers, often poorly equipped and unprepared for the realities of battle.
• 💔 The emotional toll of war is immense, with soldiers witnessing the death of loved ones and comrades.
• 🗡️ The brutality of war can lead to a breakdown of morality, with soldiers resorting to theft and violence for survival.
• 🏹 Outlaws often start as soldiers who have lost their way, becoming disconnected from their homes and families.
• 🛡️ The transition from soldier to outlaw can be marked by a loss of identity and a struggle for basic necessities.
• 🏹 The harsh realities of war can transform men into 'faceless men', clad in steel and devoid of their humanity.
• 🏞️ Home becomes an abstract concept for outlaws, as they are left to survive in a world that no longer recognizes them.
• 🥺 There is a call for empathy towards these 'broken men', recognizing their plight and the circumstances that led them to their current state.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The script explores the theme of 'Outlaws,' contrasting the romanticized view of outlaws as heroes fighting against tyranny with the harsh reality of broken men driven by desperation and circumstance.

How does the script describe the transformation of common folk into outlaws?

The script describes a process where common folk, poorly equipped and led into war, experience the horrors of battle, loss, and hardship, which eventually leads them to break the law out of survival, turning from men into 'beasts.'

What role do the 'Wicked Lords' play in the narrative?

The 'Wicked Lords' are portrayed as figures of authority who exploit the common folk, leading them into wars and leaving them to suffer, which contributes to their transformation into outlaws.

Why do the common folk initially join the war?

The common folk join the war out of a sense of duty, influenced by songs and stories that romanticize the idea of war as an adventure, without fully understanding the brutal reality of battle.

What are the physical hardships faced by the soldiers in the script?

The soldiers face numerous physical hardships, including inadequate clothing and footwear, lack of proper weapons, injuries from battle, and illness from drinking bad water.

How does the script depict the psychological impact of war on the soldiers?

The script depicts the psychological impact as severe, with soldiers experiencing trauma from witnessing death and violence, losing their sense of identity, and eventually succumbing to fear and despair.

What is the significance of the 'Faceless Men clad all in steel' in the script?

The 'Faceless Men clad all in steel' symbolize the overwhelming force of the knights, whose charge is described as the 'Iron Thunder,' causing the soldiers to break and flee, further illustrating their vulnerability and the brutality of war.

How does the script differentiate between the romanticized outlaw and the reality of a broken man?

The script contrasts the romanticized outlaw, who fights against injustice, with the reality of a broken man, who turns to crime out of necessity and becomes more beast than man due to the harshness of war.

What is the final state of the soldiers described in the script?

The final state of the soldiers is one of despair and dehumanization, where they live day to day, focusing solely on survival, with all thoughts of home and former identities gone.

What advice does the script give regarding the 'Traveler' and 'broken men'?

The script advises the 'Traveler' to be wary of broken men due to their potential danger but also to feel pity for them, acknowledging the tragic circumstances that led to their downfall.

What does the script suggest about the nature of war and its effect on individuals?

The script suggests that war is a brutal and dehumanizing experience that can transform ordinary people into outlaws, driven by survival instincts rather than moral or societal norms.

Outlines

00:00

🏹 The Plight of Outlaws and War-Weary Soldiers

This paragraph delves into the diverse nature of outlaws, contrasting the romanticized image of heroes forced into rebellion with the harsh reality of common soldiers driven to thievery and violence by the brutalities of war. It describes the transformation of simple folk into hardened warriors, who, disillusioned by the loss of comrades and the futility of their battles, resort to looting and desecration to survive. The narrative emphasizes the tragic journey from eager enlistment to the breaking point of a soldier, illustrating the dehumanizing effects of war and the descent into lawlessness.

Keywords

💡Outlaws

Outlaws are individuals who live outside the law, often due to being forced into a life of crime or rebellion. In the video's theme, they represent those who have been displaced by war and societal upheaval, turning to a life of crime out of necessity rather than choice. The script mentions 'most Outlaws' as being driven by greed and malice, contrasting them with the romanticized notion of 'good men forced to go outside the law.'

💡Piper

A Piper is a person who plays the bagpipes, a traditional musical instrument. In the script, the Piper is used metaphorically to illustrate the diversity of 'Outlaws,' just as there are many types of birds, suggesting that not all outlaws are the same and that their stories can be as varied as the songs sung about them.

💡Sea Eagle

The Sea Eagle is a large bird of prey, known for its strength and majesty. It is used in the script to draw a parallel with the Piper, indicating that while both Piper and Sea Eagle have wings, they are fundamentally different. This analogy extends to the concept of outlaws, suggesting that despite sharing a common label, their natures and motivations can be vastly different.

💡Wicked Lord

A 'Wicked Lord' in the script represents an oppressive ruler who forces good men into outlawry by their unjust actions. This term is integral to the video's theme as it sets the stage for the conflict and the transformation of ordinary people into outlaws due to the actions of such a lord.

💡Ravening Hound

A 'Ravening Hound' is a metaphor for an outlaw driven by greed and malice, as opposed to the 'lightning Lord,' who might be seen as a noble outlaw. The script uses this term to describe the darker side of outlawry, illustrating the degeneration of men into predatory figures due to the harsh realities of war and survival.

💡War

War is a central theme in the video, depicted as a force that uproots people from their homes and thrusts them into violence and hardship. The script describes how common folk are conscripted into armies, poorly equipped and unprepared for the brutal realities of battle, leading to their transformation into outlaws.

💡Broken Men

Broken Men in the script refer to those who have been shattered by the experience of war, losing their sense of identity, purpose, and humanity. They are described as being deserving of pity, yet also dangerous, embodying the tragic consequences of war on the individual psyche.

💡Despising the Gods

The phrase 'despising the gods' captures the disillusionment and loss of faith that many of the outlaws experience. It suggests a rejection of divine authority or intervention, reflecting the outlaws' despair and their belief that they are abandoned by higher powers.

💡Iron Thunder

Iron Thunder is a vivid description of the sound and impact of knights charging into battle, clad in steel armor. The script uses this term to convey the overwhelming power and terror experienced by the common soldiers, who are ill-equipped to face such a force, contributing to their eventual breakdown.

💡Faceless Men

Faceless Men in the script are the knights who charge into battle, their identities hidden behind steel armor. This term emphasizes the dehumanizing aspect of war, where individuals become mere instruments of violence, stripped of their personal identities.

💡The Traveler

The Traveler is a character mentioned in the script who must be wary of the broken men. This term could represent any individual journeying through the chaotic world described in the video, needing to be cautious of the dangers posed by those who have been broken by war.

Highlights

The variety of outlaws is compared to the diversity of birds, emphasizing the different motivations and natures of those who break the law.

Outlaws are often romanticized in songs, but the reality is that most are driven by greed and malice, not noble causes.

The harsh reality of war is depicted through the experiences of common folk who are poorly equipped and unprepared for battle.

War is initially seen as an adventure by those who are naive about its true nature and consequences.

The brutal experience of war, including witnessing death and suffering, can break even the strongest of men.

Survivors of numerous battles may still succumb to the psychological and physical toll of war, leading to a breaking point.

The loss of comrades and the constant change of allegiances in war contribute to a sense of disorientation and loss of identity.

The harsh conditions of war, including lack of food and proper clothing, force soldiers to resort to theft and looting.

Desperation in war leads to the violation of moral boundaries, as soldiers steal from and harm the innocent civilians they once were.

The transformation from a man to a 'beast' is described through the degradation of a soldier's humanity due to war.

The narrative highlights the tragic journey of a soldier from naivety to disillusionment and eventual breakdown.

The loss of a sense of home and the disconnection from the cause of war are key factors in the breakdown of a soldier's spirit.

The fear and desperation of a broken man are portrayed through his focus on basic survival needs over higher ideals.

Lady Brienne's perspective on the danger and pity of broken men is introduced, adding a layer of moral complexity.

The narrative concludes with a warning about the dangers of broken men in times of war, urging both caution and empathy.

Transcripts

there are many sorts of Outlaws just as

there are many sorts of birds a sand

Piper and a sea eagle both have wings

but they are not the same the singers

love to sing of good men forced to go

outside the law to fight some Wicked

Lord but most Outlaws are more like this

ravening Hound than they are the

lightning Lord they are evil men driven

by greed soured by malice despising the

gods and caring only for themselves

broken men are more deserving about our

pity though they may be just as

dangerous almost all are common born

simple folk who had never been more than

a mile from the house where they were

born until the day some Lord came round

to take them off to war poorly Shaw and

poorly clad they marched away beneath

his banners oftimes with no better arms

than a sickle or a sharpened hoe or a

mole they made themselves by lashing a

stone to a stick with strips of hide

Brothers march with Brothers Sons with

fathers Friends With Friends they've

heard the songs and the stories so they

go off with eager Hearts dreaming of the

Wonders they will see of the wealth and

Glory they will win war seems a fine

Adventure the greatest most of them will

ever

know then they get a taste of

battle and for some that one taste is

enough to break them

others go on for years until they lose

count of all the battles they have

fought in but even a man who has

survived a 100 fights can break in his

101st Brothers watch their brothers die

fathers lose their sons friends see

their friends trying to hold their

entrails in after they've been gutted by

an

axe they see the Lord who led them there

cut down and some other Lord shouts that

they are his now they take a wound and

when that's still half healed they take

another there is never enough to eat

their shoes Fall to Pieces from the

marching their clothes are torn and

rotting and half of them are [ __ ] in

their britches from drinking bad water

if they want new boots or a warmer cloak

or maybe a rusted iron half Helm they

need to take them from a corpse and

before long they are stealing from the

living as well from the small folk whose

lands they're fighting in men very like

the men they used to

be they slaughter their sheep and steal

their chickens and from there it's just

a short step to carrying off their

daughters

too and one day they look around and

realize all their friends and kin are

gone that they are fighting beside

strangers beneath a banner that they

hardly

recognize they don't know where they are

or how to get back home and the lord

they're fighting for does not even know

their name

yet here he comes shouting for them to

form up to make a line with their Spears

and scythes and sharpened hes to stand

their

ground and then the knights come down on

them Faceless Men clad all in steel the

Iron Thunder of their charge seems to

fill the

world and the man breaks he turns and

runs or crawls off afterward over the

corpses of the slain

or steals away in the black of night and

he finds some place to

hide all thought of home is gone by then

and kings and Lords and gods mean less

to him than a haunch of spoiled meat

that will let Him Live Another Day or a

skin of bad wine that might drown his

fears for a few

hours the broken man lives from day to

day from meal to meal more Beast than

man

Lady Brienne is not wrong in times like

these The Traveler must beware of broken

men and fear them but he should pity

them as

[Music]

well

[Music]

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