Prince Caspian

dren before he can be convinced of their legitimacy. Caspian himself is urged to forget the old stories, and to concentrate instead on "battles and adventures," as well as sword-fighting and other martial skills. Doctor Cornelius tells Caspian the history of his race, a history of conquest. The council at the Dancing Lawn is to be a council of war. A point is made of emphasizing just, that is, knightly, martial conduct, vs. unjustness and treacherousness: Peter's and Edmund's chivalrous treatment to Miraz and his men, contrasted with the two nobles' scheming and backstabbing words and deeds. The mouse Reepicheep, first introduced in this book, is first and foremost a warrior, and is first described as "a very martial mouse." Nearly every major character is made a knight at the end. Aslan himself is not as active in this book as in the first, as in that book he played a Jovial, and thus kingly, role; whereas here he allows the children themselves to take a more active role in the wars and in figuring out their own plans. But Aslan still plays a Martial role, embodying the other significant aspect of Mars: woodcraft and forests. Mars' other aspect was the god of the forests (Mars Silvanus), and this theme is everywhere present in Caspian as well. Aslan wakes the Dryads, the spirits of trees, and sends them into the battle. The ruins of Cair Paravel are overgrown with trees, so much so that the land surrounding it is hard to explore. A man beating a child is turned into a tree. Mars, then, governs this book entirely; yet war for war's sake is not glorified, only necessary and just war. Effort is actually made by Peter to end the violence quickly and with little bloodshed. This does not lessen, but rather reaffirms the Martial theme of this book: for, as dual lord of war and of forests, Mars properly understood upholds violence only as a thing of pure necessity; in its normal state, it is a symbol for ability, youthful ardor, and repose. Everywhere, chivalry, courage and knighthood are affirmed, alongside woodcraft and the triumph of Nature, bringing in a new era for the folk and creatures of Narnia.