Why does Stregobor hate elves?
As fans of Netflix's hit series "The Witcher" delve deeper into the intricate tapestry of its storyline, one particular strand that continues to pique curiosity is the deep-seated animosity that Stregobor, the mage from Kovir, holds towards Elves. Throughout the series, Stregobor's racism and prejudice against Elves are unflinchingly stark, and his attitudes appear inexplicable and unsettling. To illuminate this perplexing aspect of Stregobor's character, this blog post will harness a framework from an unrelated field: socio-economic class struggles.
When we strip away the magic and fantasy, we find that "The Witcher" is a show deeply entrenched in issues of societal hierarchies and power dynamics, not unlike the class struggles prevalent in our own history. As such, the socio-economic perspective provides a compelling lens to interpret and understand Stregobor's hatred.
Viewed through the prism of socio-economic class struggles, Stregobor's disdain for the Elves could be seen as a manifestation of the classic 'bourgeois versus proletariat' conflict theorized by Karl Marx. In this case, Stregobor and his fellow mages represent the 'bourgeoisie,' or ruling class, who control the means of production – magic, political power, and resources. Conversely, the Elves can be perceived as the 'proletariat,' the working class, who are marginalized, oppressed, and dispossessed.
In Marx's theory, the bourgeoisie perpetuates class struggle to maintain their grip on power and wealth. Applying this to Stregobor's context, his hatred for Elves could be perceived as an instrument to sustain his class dominance and the status quo. The Elves, with their ancient knowledge of magic and superior longevity, could potentially challenge the supremacy of human mages. Therefore, Stregobor's antipathy could be a mechanism to undermine the Elves, suppress their potential, and thereby maintain his class’s dominance.
Additionally, Stregobor's bigotry can be seen as reflective of the bourgeoisie's fear of class revolution - the constant dread of the oppressed class overthrowing the ruling class, which has been a repeating motif throughout history. The series frequently hints at the possibility of an Elven uprising. Stregobor’s animosity, therefore, could be rooted in this anxiety, further cementing his position as a representative of the ruling class and their paranoia.
However, the application of this socio-economic framework does not absolve Stregobor of his bigotry. It simply serves as a means to understand the deeper socio-political undercurrents that drive his character. Just as class struggle in the real world is an issue that requires continuous discourse and action, the same applies in the fantasy world of "The Witcher". The framework merely provides context, not justification for the character's reprehensible beliefs.
In conclusion, understanding Stregobor's deep-seated hatred for Elves requires delving beyond the surface of his character and interpreting his actions through the lens of socio-economic class struggles. The 'bourgeoisie versus proletariat' conflict offers a unique perspective, highlighting how fear, power dynamics, and the desire to maintain status quo can breed such intense prejudice. However, this analysis also underscores the need for narratives that challenge these bigotries, suggesting that in "The Witcher," as in the real world, the fight against systemic oppression and prejudice is still far from over.
