Prince Canute by Marcus Felix

Conventional stage-

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:29:10 UTC

We are introduced to Canute as a shy pacifistic teenage boy who believes his father does not wish to hurt him. He believes all one needs to do to live a happy life is pray to and worship God. His morality is centered around avoiding sin and he detests violent people like warriors and deceitful liars. He is eager to earn his biological father’s (the king of England) approval (good boy orientation).

Post-conventional stage

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:30:29 UTC

The end of Canute's conventional morality and his progression into the post-conventional begins with the death of his surrogate father Ragnar. Canute comes to the conclusion that God is a negligent and morally bankrupt entity and that he must “rebel” against both God and his royal father to restore peace and love throughout the realm. This more mature Canute is guided by morals and ethics of his own creation. He is now opposed to unnecessary violence but unlike his younger self, he will actively use violence and ally with violent individuals like his former Viking captors to further his goals.

Characters

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:32:29 UTC

Thorfinn, Askeladd, Canute, King Sweyn, Ragnar

Setting

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:33:24 UTC

Norway, England under viking rule, year 1013

Lit themes

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:33:50 UTC

Cycle of violence and revenge, toxic masculinity, the meaning of true love

Main conflict

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:34:42 UTC

The initially pacifist, shy, and devout Christian prince Canute is convinced by his kidnapper Askeladd to usurp the English throne from his father King Sweyn Forkbeard.

Does the theory fit Canute?

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:36:05 UTC

The theory does encapsulate Canute quite well because the progression from conventional to postconventional was sudden and drastic but very in character for Canute. Conventional Canute exhibits the same pragmatic, cunning, and deductive personality as post-conventional Canute. The difference is conventional Canute was morally guided by his devout catholic upbringing which shunned self-expression and deceit. As a result of this we aren’t exposed to many examples of Canute’s personal qualities until he has morally progressed. An important aspect of Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is the idea that moral development is cumulative. People at a certain stage can understand lower stages but not higher ones and people cna even regress into lower stages of development depending on the situation. (EXAMPLE: King Canute debates with Thorfinn, a slave on the ethics of killing rebels and seizing their property. In the end Canute goes with Thorfinn’s advice on the matter. The fact that Canute engages with Thorfinn at all is proof that hes reached stage 6)

Kohlberg bio

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:42:42 UTC

A child developmental psychologist who was born in NY in 1927. Improved upon Piaget's theories of children's moral development

Theory components

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:45:56 UTC

Kohlberg proposed that there were 3 stages of moral development with each stage having two levels. He said that the stages were cumulative and that not everyone reached the last of development. The 3 stages from lowest to highest:

Pre-moral, Conventional, Post-conventional

Critques

marcuscfelix — 2023-10-31 03:49:12 UTC

Over emphasis is placed on justice's role in morality. Is heavily focused on boys and does not account for the cultural differences between boys and girls. Does not account for cultural differences in morality.