From the way that it is presented in TNG and DS9, at least through Worf, it seems that the Klingon’s are very monogamous with regards to their relationship being that once they have slept with someone, they see themselves as being mated with them for life. Though with Quark has no obligation to follow his relationship with Grilka any further they mated again “Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places”. So, is this sentiment only held by traditionalists such as Worf or is it indeed a widespread cultural view?
Are Klingon Relationships Purely Monogamous?
- Thread starter Zé do Caixão
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Read the Klingon novels by KRAD and John Jackson Miller. They explore the Klingon way of life and are among the best the litverse has to offer.
Klingons may as well have mates for life as the occational bed affair or mistresses.... Worf is a man of honor and has his principles. Other Klingons deviate from it. Illegitimate children are usually frowned upon. It depends if you are nobleborn or lowborn Klingon.
Klingons may as well have mates for life as the occational bed affair or mistresses.... Worf is a man of honor and has his principles. Other Klingons deviate from it. Illegitimate children are usually frowned upon. It depends if you are nobleborn or lowborn Klingon.
I'm sure Klingons have as much variety in their personal relationships as humans do.
That said, I seem to remember reading a bit in one of the novels which says that Klingon starship captains will often sleep with members of their crews. I think it's one of the IKS Gorkon novels - Captain Klag says something like, he could have anyone on his crew that he wanted (implying that they would have little choice in the matter), but the only one he actually slept with was his medic, B'Oraq.
That said, I seem to remember reading a bit in one of the novels which says that Klingon starship captains will often sleep with members of their crews. I think it's one of the IKS Gorkon novels - Captain Klag says something like, he could have anyone on his crew that he wanted (implying that they would have little choice in the matter), but the only one he actually slept with was his medic, B'Oraq.
Leskit was also involved with someone. I don't want to go into further. I just advise to read the Gorkon novels
.Toral was Duras' illegitimate child. Gowron even described him as the spawn of "some harlot's bedchamber." , and Kahlest rejected K'MPec's offer at least twice, so pre- and extra-marital sex were known, if frowned upon, in Klingon culture.
There was also that scene where two Klingon women discuss which of them should sleep with Riker, and he suggests both, to a hearty chuckle. So, Klingons engage in polyamory, or at least a good time with multiple partners every now and then.
Worf isn't the best example. He's a tryhard wannabe Klingon, raised among humans.
Klingons raised in the empire appear to be a generally scummy lot.
Klingons raised in the empire appear to be a generally scummy lot.
At the base level that would depend on the biology of the species. Individuals of most species are physically capable of mating with more than one mate in a lifestime. So purely monogamous species (one mate in a lifetime) are going to be more rare. Serial monogamy is also common. More than one mate, but still only one mate at a time. Polygamy, more than one mate at the same time, occurs in some species as well.
However is it going to be very rare for a monogamous species to have polygamous matings. While polygamous species could have monogamous mating.
Mate selection involves physical biology so these attributes can be used to help determine the mating system. For example gorillas are polygynous (more than one female per male) so gorilla males are huge to defending their mates. While gorilla females are smaller.
Angler fish are polyandrous with multiple smaller males attaching to the female, eventually becoming little more than an appendage.
In humans males, on average, tend to be slightly larger than females. At face value this looks like slight polygynous leanings. Although humans have similar size differential with Bonobos that have a very loose mating system. Like them, we are capable of monogamy and polygamy(polygyny and polyandry). Our tendency is to seek out multiple mates in our lifestimes, even when in existing relationships.
As for Klingons since they are human actors in makeup the would carry the same bonobo-like size differential indicative a similar mating system with humans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogamy_in_animals
Which saying nothing about non-monogamous mating systems.
However is it going to be very rare for a monogamous species to have polygamous matings. While polygamous species could have monogamous mating.
Mate selection involves physical biology so these attributes can be used to help determine the mating system. For example gorillas are polygynous (more than one female per male) so gorilla males are huge to defending their mates. While gorilla females are smaller.
Angler fish are polyandrous with multiple smaller males attaching to the female, eventually becoming little more than an appendage.
In humans males, on average, tend to be slightly larger than females. At face value this looks like slight polygynous leanings. Although humans have similar size differential with Bonobos that have a very loose mating system. Like them, we are capable of monogamy and polygamy(polygyny and polyandry). Our tendency is to seek out multiple mates in our lifestimes, even when in existing relationships.
As for Klingons since they are human actors in makeup the would carry the same bonobo-like size differential indicative a similar mating system with humans.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogamy_in_animals
Which saying nothing about non-monogamous mating systems.
Most of the mating behavior we see in Trek is wrapped up in the nobility culture. I get the impression from Martok’s wife that she cares less if he has a mistress than that no other woman threatens her status in his household.
I imagine that Klingons are violently jealous enough that attempts at polyamory end up with the winner of the fight keeping the mate. Neelix puts that theory to the test.
I imagine that Klingons are violently jealous enough that attempts at polyamory end up with the winner of the fight keeping the mate. Neelix puts that theory to the test.
I think we have to take everything Worf says with a grain of salt. He likes to overcompensate as well as go "Klingons do this! Klingons do that!" when it's unlikely that he is in any position to speak for every single Klingon anywhere. Even humans have people who are polyamorous. It's not too big a stretch to assume that Klingons are just as varied in their practices and preferences. Besides, Worf has been shown to be a bit of a stuck-up prude, so there's that.
Love your screen name, btw.
Kang and Mara were married in Day of The Dove! So some Klingons have monogamy!
JB
JB
Kang and Mara were married in Day of The Dove! So some Klingons have monogamy!
JB
We don't know how many other husbands Mara claimed.
I should think that her and Kang stayed together and she sired many sons for him although one died at the hands of the Albino wasn't it? Haven't actually watched that one yet so don't know the full details!
JB
JB
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