by PhelanVelvel » May 19, 2013 2:20 am
I feel that King Peter is the High King for a reason. Although he doesn't appear many times, there is a feeling I get from him like, this guy is the real deal. I mean, for one, he lead the Narnians in one of the most important battles they ever had to fight, and he did it after being in Narnia for only a few days. I know the magic and air of Narnia changed him some, but really, at heart, he was still a boy, and for him to stand up to a responsibility like that, something he didn't sign up for, and still do it because it was right, that takes a lot of courage.
When he fights against Miraz, he is noble beyond what most people could be expected of, by not finishing off his enemy when he was down. And he is the first child, along with Susan, to be "banished" from Narnia. He is the eldest, but he never forgets their Narnian adventures and never tries too hard to be grown-up. He just strikes me as someone with courage, humility, kindness, and mercy. I would not fear the possibility of tyranny while living as a subject under Peter, nor would I fear incompetence. He just stands up to anything thrown at him, but never pushes anyone else down without a real reason.
I don't think he should be blamed for Edmund's treachery, I don't think he was too hard on Edmund. I think Edmund needed to hear that he was being a brat. His being scolded for being a brat just so happened to coincide with them stumbling upon a magical world in a wardrobe where, in an hour of weakness and immaturity, Edmund would be tempted. Peter's words were reasonable, I think, he was just trying to get Edmund to stop bullying Lucy, a rather kingly decision.
Also, don't get me wrong, I love Caspian. I like that he has faults and everything, I don't hold it against him, if anything, it makes me like him more. I also love Tirian, he is a great king even in the face of utter destruction. But Peter really has this demeanour about him, like, that he will be good and true and courageous in the face of any challenge.