What does it say about Scotland if one of their most popular mythical creatures is a fairytale to explain away what is in reality either a battered wife whilling to leave her kids in order to escape an abusive husband, OR more tragical a wife and mother who was probably beaten to death by her husband and the best way to explain her sudden disappearance is to claim she used to be a seal and whent back to the sea.
you are applying post modern values to something that predates them, which is a mistake. i guess i grew up with a more idealized concept of what the selkie myth was like, since i hadnt heard any specific stories. but i always thought there was more of a conflict in the selkie herself, wanting to stay with the family she made, but compelled to return to the sea in a way she couldnt control. anyway, thought id share a song i grew up with about selkies, since it is relevant. ua-cam.com/video/_uMTjTHPmvw/v-deo.html
That's an interesting take on the Selkie - I never considered the skin being a controlling influence in the way you're describing here. In terms of the modern values, I think I'm applying the myth to the values, not the other way around: the hope was to explore how and why an old myth from an isolated part of the world has such powerful global relevance today, which in my view is due to its focus on universal human emotions and experiences, which carry through into many modern values, situations, and scenarios. I think it is important to view old myths through modern lenses, as myths adapt and change as societies do, which tells us about how we change too. For me, a myth's survival depends on its ability to resonate with new generations - once it loses its cultural relevance, it risks being forgotten.
@@BeastsoftheOldeWorld not every story is going to be about being a strong, independent feminist trapped in an abusive relationship. and they dont need to be. you are someone who should probably be more neutral than that. that said, id say its not the literal skin that is in control, but the natural instincts of something so similar to humans, but drastically different. what little ive heard of the stories suggested to me that a selkie is very likely to love her human husband and family, but simply cant stay. the song i linked in the first comment is an example of it through that lens, but its not exactly a source like the old stories would be, and is likely a romanticized version. it just parallels what i had always gotten from the little exposure to the stories i had. and youve reminded me i still have to watch "song of the sea", which i am expecting to be a good watch, since i loved "secret of kells".
The stories of Selkies trapped, in an abusive reality/relationship, always make me feel their sorrow.
one thing I have to say about this, and I am glad you did a video on the Selkies. I really do not hear much about them compared to other creatures.
Really enjoyed this video, hope to see more Orkney myths.
WOW!! Excellent telling, and a lot of information I wasn't aware of. I'm glad I found this channel. You've earned an immediate subscriber.
Please do one on kelpies pleeeaseeee!!! I love you channel
On the list! 👀⏳
This'll prolly get that DanDaDan bump !
I love the artwork. Very talented painter. It seems to reflect the loneliness in the stories.
Yeah, very talented AI.
It reminds me of the wolf skin from The Saga of the Volsungs
A Selke? I know that one! It's the award given to the best defensive forward in the NHL.
Always thought it was a widowed husband {laying} with a seal, like the sirens or mermaids but a sad dad not horn sailors.
What does it say about Scotland if one of their most popular mythical creatures is a fairytale to explain away what is in reality either a battered wife whilling to leave her kids in order to escape an abusive husband, OR more tragical a wife and mother who was probably beaten to death by her husband and the best way to explain her sudden disappearance is to claim she used to be a seal and whent back to the sea.
It was probably also to do with inbreeding as Selkie children tended to be born with webbed hands and feet 😂
you are applying post modern values to something that predates them, which is a mistake.
i guess i grew up with a more idealized concept of what the selkie myth was like, since i hadnt heard any specific stories. but i always thought there was more of a conflict in the selkie herself, wanting to stay with the family she made, but compelled to return to the sea in a way she couldnt control.
anyway, thought id share a song i grew up with about selkies, since it is relevant.
ua-cam.com/video/_uMTjTHPmvw/v-deo.html
That's an interesting take on the Selkie - I never considered the skin being a controlling influence in the way you're describing here.
In terms of the modern values, I think I'm applying the myth to the values, not the other way around: the hope was to explore how and why an old myth from an isolated part of the world has such powerful global relevance today, which in my view is due to its focus on universal human emotions and experiences, which carry through into many modern values, situations, and scenarios. I think it is important to view old myths through modern lenses, as myths adapt and change as societies do, which tells us about how we change too. For me, a myth's survival depends on its ability to resonate with new generations - once it loses its cultural relevance, it risks being forgotten.
@@BeastsoftheOldeWorld not every story is going to be about being a strong, independent feminist trapped in an abusive relationship. and they dont need to be.
you are someone who should probably be more neutral than that.
that said, id say its not the literal skin that is in control, but the natural instincts of something so similar to humans, but drastically different. what little ive heard of the stories suggested to me that a selkie is very likely to love her human husband and family, but simply cant stay. the song i linked in the first comment is an example of it through that lens, but its not exactly a source like the old stories would be, and is likely a romanticized version. it just parallels what i had always gotten from the little exposure to the stories i had.
and youve reminded me i still have to watch "song of the sea", which i am expecting to be a good watch, since i loved "secret of kells".