The Four Sacred Artistic Motives:

The Four Sacred Artistic Motives:

-what if this bad thing was good instead

-how about Make-Believe Land can have whatever I want

-would that be fucked up or what

-I think that shit's hot

You’re so right. Especially considering how Patroclus charged into battle and got killed by Hector while Achilles wasn’t fighting. That’s a very protective Charles move

my contribution to payneland day 2 is that in the myth of Achilles and Patroclus Charles would be Patroclus and Edwin would be Achilles (I’ve seen most everyone else say the other way around, but let me explain)

First of all, their relationship is similar to Achilles and Pat in the sense that Achilles never really had anyone to truly understand him before Pat. And while he may have been surrounded by others (Cat King, Monty, Simon), it was never in his cruel “destiny” to forge connections with anyone. That’s, of course, until he meets Pat and a friendship/ love affair is forged between the two of them, making them inseparable. Edwin was never meant to be happy. His life sucked, and he went to hell unfairly. His destiny was written in such a way that he should never experience joy, and YET.

Charles comes from a similar place as Patroclus. He had inattentive/abusive parents, never really felt a sense of belonging, and was inexplicably drawn to this one boy (Achilles/Edwin). Once meeting his Achilles, he found himself dedicated to this boy within a number of HOURS. Such devotion has only ever been written of in myths.

I feel as though we can get really caught up on the VISUALS of myths. In the story of Achilles and Patroclus, Achilles is this buff, golden, god-like man (just like Jayden Revri amiright haha) while Patroclus is a weaker, scrawny and nervous boy. When given these descriptions, it’s easy to say that Edwin is obviously the physically weaker one, and Charles is the brawn. Even knowing their personalities we can fall into this assumption, as Achilles is undoubtedly more of a people person then Patroclus, but I still feel this way of thinking to be incorrect. The answer, for me, lies in the dynamic.

Patroclus views Achilles as his savior, his light, his hope. Charles absolutely feels this way towards Edwin, as showcased by the emphasis on the lantern and warm lighting often used when the camera is showing Charles looking at Edwin. Achilles views Patroclus to be his reprieve, his comfort, his heart. Edwin, obviously once again, feels this towards Charles, as showcased with the only scenes where Edwin acts or appears relaxed are the ones where the two boys are interacting or simply together. Even the whole Hell segment could be considered a metaphor for this, as the times when Edwin feels most lost are the times when he doesn’t have Charles. Again this is a huge theme in the myth of Achilles and Patroclus as shown with Achilles’s grief at Pat’s death, and depictions of him being lost anytime he is without Pat.

My last point is that Edwin, to me, feels like a classic greek hero. He has gone on a massive, gods damned journey, he has discovered comfort that has been ardently tried to be ripped away from him, but ultimately in the end found an eternal peace. Edwin is a hero. I’m not saying that Charles isn’t, as he too has many traits, I just feel that this myth isn’t quite his. Maybe Hercules because of the anger issues, lol. Either way, I believe that in the case of Achilles and Patroclus, Edwin is most likely to be Achilles and Charles as Patroclus.

I just wanted to take a second before season 4 drops to talk about what The Umbrella Academy means to me. Even though I don’t talk about it a lot, it’s a big part of my identity. Writing this, I’m realizing it’s an even bigger piece of my life than I thought

(Long rambling post under the cut)

My story starts in September of 2017 when I was 12 years old. I was friends a guy who turned out to be a total jerk, and it messed me up so much I had to take a day off of school. That’s when I first discovered MCR and I was instantly obsessed. I would stay up until three in the morning listening to their music and watching old interviews. They got me through a lot of tough time

That Christmas, my mother got me a series of comics that were written by Gerard Way. They were weird and dark, kind of like how I saw myself at the time. The funny thing is that the kids at school made fun of me for reading them, but all those same people love the Netflix series. I’m not judging them, they were kids after all, but it did give me a delicious sense of vindication

When season 1 came out, I watched it over and over with my friends. We would quote it back and forth at each other multiple times per day. One of my friends even choreographed an entire figure skating routine inspired by the donut shop fight scene in episode 1. It was the first time I had a real group of friends like that

Season 2 was the comfort I needed at the beginning of the pandemic. It was the familiar friend I needed

And then Elliot Page came out as trans just six months after I started questioning my own gender. I drew dozens of pictures of what Viktor would look like in the comics. They aren’t very good, but they meant so much to me. Elliot was one of my first transmasculine inspirations. I knew plenty of transfems, but this was the first time I really got to see someone like me

Season 3 came out around the same time I got sick. I was completely bed bound for a little over a year. It got to the point where I would watch an entire season of the show in one day. That’s how little I could move. Escapism has always been my primary coping skill. I read fantasy stories and imagine my life is something more. When I got sick, I couldn’t read anymore, but I could watch TV. This show became the escape I so desperately needed

I was 12 when I first read the comics, and I’m 19 now. The Umbrella Academy got me through my teenage years. It gave me comfort, friendship, and confidence when I needed those things the most. It’s a big part of who I am and I’m so, so grateful

Thanks to anyone that read this far! And huge thanks to the cast, crew, and creators even though they’ll likely never see this

Here’s to season 4 and everything that I hope comes with it!

Edwin Payne and his silly little hand gestures Pt 2 | Pt 1

Painland week day 6! I decided to try my hand at smut for the first time because I wasn't sure what else to write lol