A witch shall be born is a phrase that originates from the famous novel "The Hour of the Dragon" written by Robert E. Howard. Within the story, this sentence holds immense significance as it serves as a prophecy that sets the tone for the narrative. The novel follows the adventures of Conan the Barbarian, a renowned warrior king of Aquilonia. Conan is betrayed by an evil twin sister, Salome, who subsequently assumes his place as queen. This betrayal leads to Conan's imprisonment and eventual struggle to regain his throne.
Bill: Exactly what I was thinking, and this sums up the major problem with the story. The old “show, don’t tell” adage may be over-stated to the point of absurdity in writing circles these days, but it certainly applies here. Valerius’s account, the scholar’s letter, more exposition from an undercover Valerius, Salome being told the outcome of the battle outside the city via her spy’s report … REH has so much information relayed through secondhand means that there isn’t much actual narrative story left to enjoy. What worked brilliantly on multiple occasions in The Hour of the Dragon is used here in almost the worst possible way. The only scenes that really work are the two Conan scenes and, to a much lesser extent, the climax of Taramis’ rescue and the re-taking of the city. The pace is off, there’s no sense of adventure or momentum, and there is very little from the cast of minor characters to hold the reader’s interest. How Farnsworth Wright could tell REH that this was his best Conan story to date boggles my mind.
And it goes beyond the mere outlining of pain, we also see the indomitable spirit of Conan win through a man that fights to the last breath, with his teeth if needed. And it goes beyond the mere outlining of pain, we also see the indomitable spirit of Conan win through a man that fights to the last breath, with his teeth if needed.
This betrayal leads to Conan's imprisonment and eventual struggle to regain his throne. The prophecy, "A witch shall be born," pertains to Salome herself, foreshadowing her wickedness and magical abilities. In the narrative, Salome is portrayed as a sorceress, possessing dark powers and using them for her own gain.
Literature / A Witch Shall Be Born
"You know how to reach the dungeons from the palace, Constantius?" said the witch-girl. "Good. Take this spitfire and lock her into the strongest cell. The jailers are all sound in drugged sleep. I saw to that. Send a man to cut their throats before they can awaken. None must ever know what has occurred tonight. Thenceforward I am Taramis, and Taramis is a nameless prisoner in an unknown dungeon."
"A Witch Shall Be Born " is a Conan the Barbarian story written by Robert E. Howard. First published in December, 1934.
Queen Taramis is woken in the middle of the night by a woman looking just like her, who reveals that she is Salome, Taramis' twin, and the born witch who stems from the curse on the royal family. She has let in an unscrupulous mercenary captain Constantius, and with his aid, seized the city and exiled Taramis to the dungeon.
Conan, the captain of her guard, is crucified by Constantius and rescued by wandering bandits. Meanwhile, Valerius, another soldier, hid despite his injuries, and in due course discovered the truth of why the queen had suddenly taken to the depths of evil. When Conan, after taking control of the bandits, stages an attacks, Valerius leads a rescue party and brings out the queen. In desperation, Salome unleashes a monster upon the city, but Conan and his forces vanquish it and kill Salome. Constantius is then crucified by Conan as the story ends.
The crucifixion scene was later used as inspiration for a similar scene in the film.
The phrase symbolizes the emergence of evil and the corrupting influence of power. Salome's birth and subsequent rise to power serve as a metaphorical representation of the dangers of unchecked authority and the destructive nature of black magic. With her reign, a dark era befalls Aquilonia, with tyranny and oppression becoming the norm. Howard's use of the phrase "A witch shall be born" illustrates the omnipresence of evil in the world and the constant threat it poses to society. It highlights the eternal struggle between good and evil, with the wicked often lurking in unexpected places. Moreover, the phrase also underscores the notion that appearances can be deceiving. Salome's physical beauty hides her malevolence and ambition, serving as a striking reminder that evil can camouflage itself amidst beauty and charm. In conclusion, "A witch shall be born" provides a potent reminder of the destructive capabilities of those who wield dark powers. It serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked authority and the seductive allure of evil. The phrase resonates powerfully in the novel, encapsulating the essence of the plot and the trials faced by the protagonist..
Reviews for "The Importance of Language in "A Witch Shall Be Born"
1. John Doe - 2/5 stars - A Witch Shall Be Born fell short of my expectations. The story felt disjointed and lacked depth in character development. The protagonist, Queen Taramis, never fully captured my attention or sympathy, and as a result, I struggled to connect with her struggles and motivations. The plot also seemed rushed and chaotic, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah Smith - 3/5 stars - While there were elements of intrigue and fantasy in A Witch Shall Be Born, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow sections dragging on and exciting moments feeling rushed. Additionally, the writing style felt dated and overly descriptive, making it hard to stay engaged. The plot itself had potential, but it was overshadowed by weak characterization and a lack of emotional depth. Overall, I was not fully satisfied with this book as it failed to deliver on its promising premise.
3. Robert Johnson - 2/5 stars - A Witch Shall Be Born was a disappointment for me. The narrative lacked clarity and failed to hold my interest. The story jumped around too much, making it confusing to follow the sequence of events. The overall tone of the book felt bleak and devoid of any sense of hope or redemption. The main characters were underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to care about their motivations or actions. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the standards of other fantasy novels I have read, and I would not recommend it.