First off this is a fantastic essay, and very well written and although I LOVE Xander and his...Xander shapedness. Doesn't mean I don't completely agree with all of this. canadiangirl_86 and I have had many a discussion about Xander's betrayal (and subsequent lack of punishment), and this is an excellent comparison and character study. Because I think this fits him EXACTLY. He is very much loved and trusted, which makes his betrayal even more..er...betray-y haha.
I've never thought about this "otherness" and I have read some Othello/Buffy comparisons - none as good as this one ;). And there are certainly a whole bunch of other literary works that tells of a trusted friend/brother etc and their betrayal, but this, with all the backstory (because I never studied Othello) in school) seems to fit like a glove, as if you've covered every angle possible :).
And yes, IMO to Xander Buffy has always seemed like an object, someone/something to be won, very implicitly. I always thought out of ALL the scoobs, Xander always saw her as the "girl" and although he acted all cool and turned on by her slayerness, I think he just prefers dom women, someone he can fight a little with. Isn't it a coincidence that Xander's significant others have all seemed to like Buffy the least. Cordy and Buffy def didn't get along - there was a respect and bit of grace for saving her life, but if for one second Cordy could usurp Buffy you know she'd do it in a heartbeat. Same with Anya, to be honest, I don't even know if they like each other. They were THAT remote from each other, and Anya's little rant about Buffy being "lucky" (please she fought and died for you how many times? The love of her life is the one man she can never have? Her sister is/was the Key?), really solidified to me that they just never ever were close, and that is a huge reason why.
And although you make some really good points, frankly I don't think this was done intentionally on Joss' part. Joss is great with character development, and all that, but I really don't think he thought THAT far ahead (was he even around in S7?). And yes, I know Cordelia is a Shakesperean character, Cordelia was created from a really bitch he girl from high school. I mean Xander IS him, (and Joss has betrayed on how many occasions? :P), but to me it's a rags to riches story for him (Joss), what it would be like for poor old Jossy to get the most popular girl in school, to be deflowered by someone has wild and exciting as Faith, to have a girlfriend/fiancee rave about his prowess in the bedroom? So on that front, if Xander is indeed Joss, I really don't think he'd willingly and consciously make himself Iago, the ultimate betrayer (or..one of them).
But despite that, I still think you put in an excellent argument wrt that - Joss is God of that universe. Heh, great line, great note to end your thoughts on.
Ah, how I missed discussing Buffy (I hope you do more of these ;)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-07-23 08:04 am (UTC)I've never thought about this "otherness" and I have read some Othello/Buffy comparisons - none as good as this one ;). And there are certainly a whole bunch of other literary works that tells of a trusted friend/brother etc and their betrayal, but this, with all the backstory (because I never studied Othello) in school) seems to fit like a glove, as if you've covered every angle possible :).
And yes, IMO to Xander Buffy has always seemed like an object, someone/something to be won, very implicitly. I always thought out of ALL the scoobs, Xander always saw her as the "girl" and although he acted all cool and turned on by her slayerness, I think he just prefers dom women, someone he can fight a little with. Isn't it a coincidence that Xander's significant others have all seemed to like Buffy the least. Cordy and Buffy def didn't get along - there was a respect and bit of grace for saving her life, but if for one second Cordy could usurp Buffy you know she'd do it in a heartbeat. Same with Anya, to be honest, I don't even know if they like each other. They were THAT remote from each other, and Anya's little rant about Buffy being "lucky" (please she fought and died for you how many times? The love of her life is the one man she can never have? Her sister is/was the Key?), really solidified to me that they just never ever were close, and that is a huge reason why.
And although you make some really good points, frankly I don't think this was done intentionally on Joss' part. Joss is great with character development, and all that, but I really don't think he thought THAT far ahead (was he even around in S7?). And yes, I know Cordelia is a Shakesperean character, Cordelia was created from a really bitch he girl from high school. I mean Xander IS him, (and Joss has betrayed on how many occasions? :P), but to me it's a rags to riches story for him (Joss), what it would be like for poor old Jossy to get the most popular girl in school, to be deflowered by someone has wild and exciting as Faith, to have a girlfriend/fiancee rave about his prowess in the bedroom? So on that front, if Xander is indeed Joss, I really don't think he'd willingly and consciously make himself Iago, the ultimate betrayer (or..one of them).
But despite that, I still think you put in an excellent argument wrt that - Joss is God of that universe. Heh, great line, great note to end your thoughts on.
Ah, how I missed discussing Buffy (I hope you do more of these ;)