Talk:Elric of Melniboné/Archive2

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[edit] A fictional drug addict?

Why is he in the fictional drug addictscategory?I don't remember him being an addict.Can anybody give some information about it?Dimts 16:50, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

Prior to his acquisition of Stormbringer, he was dependent upon magic potions to maintain his strength. Tsunomaru 02:45, 29 December 2006 (UTC)
The psychological definition of drug dependence (addiction) requires that the individual repeatedly fail to discontinue use of the drug despite negative consequences. Since remaining alive is generally considered a positive consequence, I don't think this would fit (any more than we consider diabetics "insulin addicts.") Inhumandecency 13:49, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
I would tend to agree, but its important to be aware that applying modern morality to that of the 1960's is bound to go sideways without noting the numerous scifi critiques on drug use in literature of the time. I am not sure Elric's usage actually rises to the level of a drug addiction, but rather to show how worn out the entire Melniboneans had become. some critics found modern, real-world comparisons to the melniboneans. It would be worth finding them, i think. - Arcayne (cast a spell) 17:46, 6 November 2007 (UTC)
Elric wasn't a drug addict. He was dependant on potions to give him strength as he was born vary weak and sickly. Many people today have diseases or problems that reuire constant drug therapy. A couple of exaples of this inclue diabetes and HIV/AIDS. I don't think such peple woud be classified as drug addicts. In fact, the character of Elric was unlike many Melniboneans who were drug addicts, content to spend their days in drugged stupors dreaming of the glory days of their empire. Signed Ethan a dawe (talk) 22:43, 17 November 2007 (UTC) (Not a clown at all.)
You make a fairly cogent point. The issue of his "drug addiction" might be a late 20th- early 21st century observation. What do you propose for the article then? - Arcayne (cast a spell) 01:14, 18 November 2007 (UTC)
I would think an explanation of his weakness and how his father and then he himself used potions to give him strength would be appropriate. It may also be worth mentioning how he is different from other Meliniboneans who do abuse drugs and while away the their days in drug induced euphoria. I don't have my copies of the series handy at this particular point. He definetly should not be listed in the fictional drug addicts category though. Ethan a dawe (talk) 00:01, 19 November 2007 (UTC)
Agreed. - Arcayne (cast a spell) 16:00, 27 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Elf

I've just now started reading Elric but in the past I've heard him described as an elf. Is he or other Melnibonéans specifically referred to as such in the Saga? Cerdic 22:11, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

I would say this is more of a simile than an actual description. Melnibonéans, I believe, tend to have the delicate and sharp features and pale skin oftentimes associated with fantasy elves. Elric in particular is exceptionally frail, a trait sometimes associated with elves. Add to that the fact that the Melnibonéans have a propensity for the study and practice of magic, and you've got a long list of similarities, but not an equation. Tsunomaru 18:44, 31 October 2007 (UTC)
Thanks. It was a good idea I think for Moorcock not to saddle his creations with the traditional elfin label and all the preconceptions (and restrictions) that would go along with it, and yet provide us with enough similarities that the reader could still relate to the Melnibonéans as an otherworldly race. Cerdic 23:06, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Here be cruft (and uncited)

The article is rife with fan supposition which while all nifty and whatnot, cannot remain uncited. I would hate to start trimming the article of its uncited parts, so perhaps some enterprising sould could start the work. - Arcayne (cast a spell) 10:42, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, there are a lot of citation tags in the article, and they shouldn;t be removed unless they are replaced with references. Its an encyclopedia, and encyclopedias are cited. for example, who says Melniboné is pronounced the way someone has edited that it does? Find a source, because some fanboi is not an adequate source. The only one who could probably do that is Moorcock himself, and he likely has the proper citations wherein he enunciated the correct pronunciation in an article over the last thirty or so years. And that is just the most obvious example. there are twochoices here - either the info gets cited, or it gets removed. There isn't a third choice. - Arcayne (cast a spell) 07:56, 14 November 2007 (UTC)
I am thinking I will have to spend an hour or two this weekend looking for citations from some of the tagged items. They've been sitting around like unwanted, red-headed stepchildren, not getting any attention. maybe it will inspite otehrs to add some, too. :) - Arcayne (cast a spell) 04:31, 13 December 2007 (UTC)
Or you could just delete all the fancruft, and leave the article at 2 lines or so. Then anyone who wants to restore it can actually do the work themselves, or GTFO. Actually, having now read the 'article' in full, I will just go ahead and remove the unreferenced fancruft myself as of 1-Jan-2008. Fair warning. Rogerborg (talk) 12:28, 13 December 2007 (UTC)
Warning received, thanks. I might just help you along. We might want to consider re-writing the resultant stubby article so as to avoid the AfD that will likely occur afterward. - Arcayne (cast a spell) 19:37, 3 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Deep Purple

I removed Deep Puple from the music section based on this quote from Michael Moorcock on his website http://www.multiverse.org/fora/showpost.php?s=6220de79c318c02e3734ddf34aa58a25&p=4810&postcount=7 Ethan a dawe (talk) 20:23, 17 December 2007 (UTC)