Page - 120 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 06/01

Season 3 – Episode 6: Ragnar’s Speech after Athelstan’s Death RAGNAR: I never knew what a martyr was. I still don’t. You were a brave man, Athelstan. I always respected you for that. You taught me so much. You saw yourself as weak and conflicted, but to me you were fearless because you dared to question. Why did you have to die? We had so much more to talk about. I always believed that death is a fate far better than life, for you will be reunited with lost loved ones. But we will never meet again, my friend, for I have a feeling that your god might object to me visiting you in heaven. What am I to do now, hm? I hate you for leaving me. I ache from your loss. There is nothing that can console me now. I am changed. So are you. Forgive me, my friend, not for what I have done. But for what I am about to do.35 Context In a touching scene, Ragnar speaks these words after Floki the boatbuilder has killed Athelstan, but they serve also as evidence of his internal dialogue. Grieving deeply, Ragnar speaks of learning from Athelstan and responds to his death as a personal loss. He is convinced that their different religious backgrounds will mean they cannot be reunited in death. His earlier hope that his god and Athelstan’s God could replicate 35 Cf. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZLoRObShM [accessed 27 September 2019]. Fig. 6: Film still, Vikings, S3:E6 (00:43:38). “Someday Our Gods Will be Friends” | 119www.jrfm.eu 2020, 6/1, 103–126