Names have Power (or B5, Angel & Doctor Who)

Discussion in 'Science Fiction & Fantasy' started by Mal, Jul 22, 2009.

  1. Mal

    Mal Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    I recently saw the Doctor Who Easter Special Planet of the Dead, and was pleasantly amused that the bionic woman wasn't mollified when he answered, "they call me The Doctor," to the question of his name. (That's not a name, that's a psychological condition.)

    And then it occurred to me, this was the same issue with Jasmine, that the Angel team (actually Wesley - naturally...) finally figured out in 4x20 Sacrifice.

    Who are you is a strain that runs quite deeply through Babylon 5. Lorien says explicitly that names have power, and is reluctant to just give his out. Of course the demon in Angel says basically the same thing (that humans are weak because they go around giving out their names freely).

    Where does this concept come from?

    Science Fiction & Fantasy draws (like all art) on culture. Lots of common themes run through our favorite stories (such as the messiah).

    Where does the concept that names have power come from? What parts of our culture are these creators tapping into when they insert the concept in B5 and Angel and Who (and I'm sure, countless other SF&F's)?
     
  2. sidious618

    sidious618 Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2005
    Location:
    sidious618
    Names, or lack of them, having power was something that Blue Velvet and The X-Files explored as well.
     
  3. Osiris Aten

    Osiris Aten Lieutenant Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2001
    Location:
    USA: Ohio
    I'll try to answer the question:

    Names are said to have power & great significance in cultural history. In the Bible, God's name is not known because ancient Mesopotamian cultures believed knowing the deity's name gave them power in spells and prayers. Hence, do not take the Lord God's name in vain means do not use it for an incantation or means to assert power over others. Its probably also why the name is given "I am that I am" in Exodus or Yahweh (YHWH) in Hebrew. Note: I'm not trying to covert anyone on any belief, but telling information learned from my college history & anthropology classes.

    If you are looking for more information, I'd recommend researching articles or books concerning religion and mythology. For example, the History of God by Armstrong or Encyclopedia of World Religions by Merriam-Webster. Hope this answers the question.
     
  4. Kaziarl

    Kaziarl Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2007
    Location:
    Portland, OR (Kaziarl)
    Some Arthurian legends talk about every person, creature, and object have a known name, and a true name. If you ever know somethings true name, you gain power over that thing.

    Another example that I think might fit would be Rumplestiltskin. The princess had to find his true name in order to stop the goblin from taking her child.
     
  5. Mal

    Mal Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    fascinating! any links you would recommend to start with?


    that's a great example. the wikipedia article talks about the power of a True Name.


    Did you guys just grow up knowing this myth (of Name Power), because frankly, B5 was the first place I ever heard it?
     
  6. Mistral

    Mistral Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2007
    Location:
    Between the candle and the flame
    In the religion of Wicca a Name is a powerful entity and a name gives you the means to hold sway over others, a tool if you will allowing access to the "soul" or "will".
     
  7. Osiris Aten

    Osiris Aten Lieutenant Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2001
    Location:
    USA: Ohio
    Here is a link that I hope will help:
    http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_10c7.htm
     
  8. Admiral Buzzkill

    Admiral Buzzkill Fleet Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2001
    It's a psychological fact (there's a bit of an oxymoron, I guess) that one can influence people a great deal by the use of their names. Our names are a frighteningly deep-rooted part of our identity, whether we're aware of it or not.
     
  9. Kaziarl

    Kaziarl Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2007
    Location:
    Portland, OR (Kaziarl)
    I wouldn't say I grew up knowing it. I was always fascinated by myth, and reading, and just about any sort of philosophy I could get my hands on. And yes, even all the way back in grade school. And one thing I've noticed recently is that many of these concepts are portrayed in a very subtle way.

    As one of my english teachers said, everything thats written recently is just a new iteration of an old pattern.
     
  10. Mal

    Mal Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    That's what I figured. When I saw this common thread in the three shows (B5, Angel, WHO), I assumed it was something old written new again.

    Of course so much of myth is really about us. And as Dennis points out, people really can influence us quite a bit simply by using our names. And isn't that the purpose of old (and new) stories: to teach us about ourselves?
     
  11. Mal

    Mal Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    I was listening to This American Life, when at around minute 30 of the show, they played:

    fuck. i finally understood the power of names.
     
  12. Evil Twin

    Evil Twin Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2005
    Towards the end of Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark you're trapped in one of the planes of Hell and must seek out a being called the Knower of Names to escape. You can spend huge amounts of gold (anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000 apiece) to learn the true names of many of the NPC's and then have complete control over them. For instance when reach the big bad demon at the end of the game, rather than fighting him you can simply speak his true name and then command him to kill himself. Fun stuff. :lol: