Hornblower quote

[meteordust]

From C S Forester's A Ship of the Line:

Lieutenant Bush came hastening on to the quarterdeck, and touched his hat to his captain. The stern swarthy face with its incongruous blue eyes broke into a smile just as incongruous. It gave Hornblower a queer twinge, almost of conscience, to see the evident pleasure which Bush experienced at sight of him. It was odd to know that he was admired--it might even be said that he was loved--by this very capable sailor, this splendid disciplinarian and fearless fighter who boasted so many of the good qualities in which Hornblower felt himself to be lacking.

I love this description. 'This very capable sailor, this splendid disciplinarian and fearless fighter...'

Comments

[calla-s.livejournal.com]

And there *I* was focusing on the "queer twinge", and the "admired - even loved" bits.

Nice that it sounds a lot like the Bush we got to see on tv.

I think I may have to hunt down the books too. Sounds very interesting to get more of Horatio's POV.

[meteordust.livejournal.com]

And there *I* was focusing on the "queer twinge", and the "admired - even loved" bits.

Yes, those were nice too. :)

I think I may have to hunt down the books too. Sounds very interesting to get more of Horatio's POV.

It *is* interesting, mainly because of the contrast between the way he sees himself and how others see him. The Horatio of the books is filled with self-doubt, blames himself for anything that goes wrong, and doesn't seem to appreciate how remarkable his achievements are. But in the movies, we don't see any of his thought processes, only his actions, so he comes across as confident and bold.

Then again, I've been reading the books in publication order rather than chronological order, so I haven't got to the ones about the early part of his career yet. It's possible that Horatio's personality changes as the years go by. (The weight of greater responsibility, and having had to suffer so much tragedy and loss...) And I do think that the grimmer Horatio we see in the latest two movies is closer to the one in the books.

[calla-s.livejournal.com]

He *does* come across as confident. I like the quote you gave, because his insecurity *is* quite compatible with what we get to see. And I can see him taking on too much responsibility for events, even those outside his control, because he *is* used to being able to influence the outcome.

doesn't seem to appreciate how remarkable his achievements are

That's the only thing that really *does* come through - he's always surprised by Pellew praising him and promoting him, even at the point (at the end of that last ep) where it should have been bleeding obvious for *years*. And earlier, when he's talking to Archie in the prison [pause to remember], and Archie's all despondent about the prospect of going back having been rescued by Horatio, of *course*, cause Horatio's *always* saving the day... and Horatio's all, "What?"

There was that time (Frogs and Lobster? Maybe earlier), where he failed to save that guy - deserter I think? Ends up getting shot. He seemed quite cut up by his "failure", though Pellew said he should just get over it.

I was most intrigued by his recent, "Don't presume to tell me I was brave" outburst - as you say, he's much grimmer later on. And it's not as though (like Bracegirdle) he'd actually been failing... I do think it's the cumulative weight of losses wearing at him.

I haven't got to the ones about the early part of his career yet

I *was* wondering if they shed any light on the Mutiny incident.

[meteordust.livejournal.com]

I was most intrigued by his recent, "Don't presume to tell me I was brave" outburst - as you say, he's much grimmer later on. And it's not as though (like Bracegirdle) he'd actually been failing... I do think it's the cumulative weight of losses wearing at him.

It's very noticeable change, but I can't really pinpoint any particular trigger for it. (Although the shipper in me keeps insisting that it's all due to Archie's devastating loss...)

I *was* wondering if they shed any light on the Mutiny incident.

Oho, now *that's* an interesting point. Because that particular book (Lieutenant Hornblower) is apparently told entirely from Bush's point of view. Every book in the series is told from Horatio's POV - except this one...

[calla-s.livejournal.com]

Although the shipper in me keeps insisting that it's all due to Archie's devastating loss...

I too have persistent strong feelings on that issue.

It would make sense if the change occurred before (the majority of) "Loyalty" - there was Archie, and the end of the war - which meant him losing his first command, *and* being stuck on land away from all his (remaining) friends/associates, with nothing to do and (as he thought) no-one caring if he lived or died. Suddenly he had essentially *no* duty. *Then* he was put back in command... he'd take it damn seriously, and have no time for anything else. I mean, even more so than before.

apparently told entirely from Bush's point of view

Ooh, that'd be interesting in and of itself, seeing Horatio from anyone else's POV. I wonder what it means in terms of those events (which I'm assuming are similar in the film)? Keep me informed? I have a nagging fear that it'll mean that Horatio's actions will remain ambiguous. Well, ambiguous is probably a good thing - the twisty brain-teaser of the films, OTOH, I'm not sure I'm so fond of.

[meteordust.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that'd be interesting in and of itself, seeing Horatio from anyone else's POV.

That's one of the reasons I'm looking forward to reading this particular book. After being in Horatio's headspace all the time, it'll be interesting to try and guess at what he's thinking.

I have a nagging fear that it'll mean that Horatio's actions will remain ambiguous.

Yes, I get that feeling too. I imagine that Bush will be suspicious and Horatio evasive...