When it comes to character relations, the most fascinating relationship a story can introduce is perhaps the rivaled siblings.Whether it be the dynamic relationship of Inuyasha and Seshomaru, Dante and Virgil, or Sasuke and Itachi. Fans of any type of fiction are cognizant of the well established trope of familial feuding.
With that being said, it comes to no surprise that my favorite relationship in Avatar is the one between Zuko and Azula. And the reason for this affinity is due to the depth in which this relationship is explored and its complexity. In short, Zuko and Azula’s childhood experiences can be described as tragic and abusive. They were both pressured with colossal expectations of perfectionism by their father Ozai, grandfather Azulon and as a result of them being children of v the royal family of the Fire Nation.
Furthermore, with the discord of Ursa and Ozai marriage and the discord between their respective families, Zuko and Azula were interjected in an unhealthy environment that was counterproductive for a nourishing upbringing. But before we delve any further into this family feud, I think it is noteworthy to examine the ones who originated it, Zuko and Azula’s great-grandfathers Sozin and Roku.
Sozin and Roku were the best of friends, however as they would get older, their friendship would be put to the test as they embarked on their own paths. When Sozin became the Firelord, he advocated for the acquisition of power and the further expansion of the Fire Nation. Roku, who later became the Avatar, advocated for the maintenance of balance and peace throughout the four nations.
As you can imagine with both individuals having conflicting ethics, a rift would be placed in between them resulting in animosity on both sides. And unfortunately, after years of quarrel Sozin would betray Roku leading to Roku’s death. Therefore, with no one powerful enough to contest his conduct, Sozin led the Fire Nation into a great expansion, leaving the four nations in disarray.
But this feud doesn't just end with these friends turned enemies. This dynamic of peace versus power continues on in their bloodlines as their descendants Ozai and Ursa are forced into an arranged marriage by Firelord Azulon. Azulon hears a prophecy that if his bloodline were to merge with the bloodline of Roku’s then together a powerful Firelord would be born. Hence, this marriage of two families is not based on the foundation of love but instead is set on the foundations of manipulation and power.
Now caught in the crossfires of this blood feud are the children Azula and Zuko who did not ask for this decadence but nonetheless are compelled into it to the detriment of their psyche. Through the hostile madhouse created by Ozai and Ursa (but mostly Ozai) a contentious setting is set for their children. One side of the family values power and instilling fear and on the other side love and empathy is encouraged. And this duality in standards causes Zuko and Azula to find it difficult to develop an identity as both sides of their household are in a constant battle of ideology.
And that's what makes the dynamic of Zuko and Azula so interesting, it's that they both come from the same environment but because of their discrepancies in how they were raised, they develop in contrasting ways. And this discrepancy between Zuko and Azula is what will be discussed in today’s video.
27 май 2022
