Farnese - Tumblr Posts
Infinite thanks to @bthump for the tag! <3
What year did you get into Berserk?
I think it was back in 2010-11, during my school-leaving exams.
Did you watch the anime or read the manga first?
I have a really fond memory of that ‘cause it was actually my father that introduced me to the 1997 Anime. He knew I was stressed because of my exams, knew that I liked “Japanese cartoons” and bought randomly the entire DVD set for me. Thanks to those DVDs, every day was a blast – after studying, I watched *one* episode per day - and the exams didn’t seem so stressful anymore. After reaching the ending, I had to know what happened next and bought the manga.
Who’s your favorite character and why?
Griffith. He absolutely has one of the most compelling case for “turning to the dark side” that I have ever seen. But to be honest, that thought didn’t immediately came to me when I was watching the Anime. I loved his great military mind, his charisma, how he would turn from a giggling child to a ice-eyed murder machine (I remember I particularly appreciated the fact that he never initiated a conflict with someone, but his unscrupulous response was just in retaliation after one attacked him) … and of course, I loved his relationship with Guts, also one of the principal reasons that makes this story such a good tragedy.
Do you have a favorite story arc?
I have to give this one to the Golden Age, for obvious reasons … but in second and third position I have the Black Swordsman arc (that actually was my first introduction to an “anti-hero” character like Guts and I found it utterly fascinating) and the Lost Children (“Peter Pan” through Kentaro Miura’s eyes was deliciously disturbing and I couldn’t have asked for anything better)
What are your top 3 ships?
Griffith/Guts; Farnese/Casca; and Sonia/Irvine (this one is not a romantic ship, but more of a “fluffy friendship” in my head ^^;)
Who’s your favorite apostle?
Irvine. He’s perfect. I don’t know, I just find him adorable. His quiet demeanor, his look and his interactions with Sonia make him very endearing to me.
Is there a character you’d know that you’d be friends with?
I think I can see myself getting along pretty well with Sonia. We could fawn over all the sexy monsters together XD
Who’s your favorite God Hand?
Slan. She’s beautiful, can appreciate a good tragedy (she’s even moved to tears by the drama, and that’s a mood!) and being tore apart has only the effect of giving her an orgasm, and frankly all of us should take a leaf from her book U.U
You’re allowed to bring one character back from the dead. Who are you bringing back?
As much as I’d like to bring back Rosine so she and Jill can crown their love dream … In the end, I’d bring to life Adonis. I think it would be interesting to see how things would evolve (especially for Guts) with him back.
I tag everyone that wants to do it ^^ Have fun, folks!
Farnese-The Lily Blooms
It's not a coincidence that both Guts and Roderick look similar and have comparable talents. Both men are also important to Farnese: Farnese nearly worships Guts and Roderick is clearly attracted to her, but Farnese doesn't reciprocate his feelings. This dynamic mirrors the Golden Age love triangle between Guts, Casca, and Griffith. Just like Casca, Farnese has to choose not just between self-acceptance and self-rejection.
Farnese's journey is one of becoming more courageous through service. She was a fearful girl who armored herself with aloofness and acts of terror. She wanted people to be more scared of her than she was of the things that frightened her. Farnese's encounter with Guts during the Conviction Arc demonstrates a new way of confronting horrors- head-on rather than running away. Her inability to care for Casca forces her to confront her vulnerabilities and overcome them for someone else's sake. Farnese even learns magic so she can become more self-reliant and defend Casca herself.
Guts is the catalyst for Farnese's aforementioned development. Farnese worships Guts as the embodiment of the resilience she desperately desires. This is reminiscent of how Casca idolized Griffith. By giving Casca a sword, Griffith gave Casca a means of asserting and defending herself in a world that would otherwise oppress her. She, like Farnese, idolized a man who gave her greater autonomy.
Ironically, Casca's self-image became dependent on how Griffith could use her. She even disdained her womanhood, seeing it as an obstacle to serving Griffith. Farnese self-esteem isn't nearly as low, but she is clearly crushed whenever she doesn't get Guts' attention.
Her improvement finally grants her a chance to get more of it. It isn't until she meets Roderick, however, that she finally has a chance to be loved. Roderick is curious about Farnese, saying he always wanted to see the Vandimion devil child. The worst parts of Farnese's history don't scare Roderick away but only intrigue him. Likewise, Guts saw the worst of Casca: her abrasiveness, jealousy, and insecurity, all derived from her unrequited crush on Griffith. However, this only endears Casca to Guts further. Roderick is similarly patient towards Farnese: he understands she has feelings for the Black Swordsman, but isn't jealous.
Both Guts and Roderick respect their love interests' prowess as well. When Farnese protects the ship using magic, Roderick calls Farnese a goddess among angels. For a man from a society that prohibits witchcraft and limits women, this response is remarkably accepting. Farnese and Roderick's relationship will mirror the total acceptance found in Casca and Guts'.
Farnese's romantic relationships mirror Casca's almost 1-to-1. The protective admirer (Serpico), the unrequited love (Guts), and now her possible soulmate (Roderick). As of now, I see Roderick and Farnese getting together. Farnese's gentle and compassionate nature would make her a great partner, and I can see her joining Roderick on his journeys. I'll keep in mind what Lady Vandimion said about Farnese's unpredictability. Farnese may surprise not only her brother but us as well.
