Camber MacRorie - Major Themes

Major Themes

Of the major protagonists in the Legends of Camber of Culdi trilogy, Camber is clearly the leader. While characters such as Joram, Evaine, and Rhys often defer to his patriarchal authority, Camber's other colleagues and allies respond to his intelligence, experience, and keen analytical judgment. Although others share in his goals and objectives, it is Camber's actions and decisions that have the greatest impact on the overall social and political events in the novels. When Rhys and Joram discover the existence of a Haldane heir in Camber of Culdi, one of their first actions is to seek Camber's guidance on the matter, and it is ultimately Camber's participation in the plot (specifically giving Deryni-like powers to Cinhil) that enables it to succeed. In Saint Camber, Camber's assumption of Alister Cullen's identity allows him to befriend Cinhil and provide the guidance the new king needs to become a successful ruler. And after Cinhil's death in Camber the Heretic, Camber continues to use his Cullen identity to provide invaluable leadership to the developing Deryni resistance movement. While Camber rarely works alone in his endeavors, it is often his counsel and direction that the other protagonists follow.

By the time of The Deryni Chronicles and The Histories of King Kelson, set over two centuries later, Camber has become a historical figure with a disputed reputation. After his death, Camber's actions during his life serve as the basis for a towering notoriety that either terrifies or inspires future generations. Whether viewed as an evil heretic or a heroic savior, he has become an enigmatic legend shrouded in mystery, with neither his supporters nor his detractors knowing or understanding the full truth of his life and actions. Moreover, he is one of the primary symbols of the conflict between humans and Deryni, given his famous history as a Deryni noble who overthrew a Deryni king to place a human prince on the throne.

Camber is portrayed as an intelligent and thoughtful man, though there are numerous examples of his decisions to take bold and dangerous risks. Although Camber's choice to overthrow Imre might result in his execution for treason, his riskiest act in Camber of Culdi is his attempt to give Cinhil Deryni-like powers, as it involves unknown circumstances whose final results cannot be accurately predicted at the time. In Saint Camber, he hesitates only briefly before deciding to assume Cullen's identity, essentially abandoning his own life in the process and continuing a pattern of making potentially rash personal decisions in the cause of the greater good. Even when he faces his own approaching death in Camber the Heretic, he makes one final, desperate gamble by attempting to cast a spell that he does not fully understand.

Camber is also a passionate scholar, throwing himself into research of ancient Deryni lore on several occasions. In addition to his vast knowledge of Deryni arcana, his personal magical abilities are highly developed and powerful, and he is universally acknowledged as a master ritualist. He possesses a keen analytical mind and often seeks to solve a problem by debating various courses of action with his family and colleagues. Camber also has an extremely strong religious faith, and his piety is a central part of his overall personality. Even with his central role in secular and ecclesiastical politics, he remains dedicated to his family and enjoys a close relationship with all of his children, despite occasionally heated arguments with his sons.