Conversion is the moment when a person, rethinking his life, suddenly changes dramatically.
It might seem that this change happened in an instant, that it was caused by a single event. But in reality, it is a long process, accompanied by the comprehension of one’s life, the understanding that it should be changed, tormented, and, finally, sudden awareness.
This is when all the points come together when a person finally understands who he is and what he should do. Everyone experiences conversion at least once in a lifetime.
Culture, whether it be books or films, is a reflection of the worldview of people. Her characters are also human and, presumably, they also experience conversion. The plots of films and books are often built precisely around circulation as a central event.
One of the cult TV series of our time is “Game of Thrones”, written from George Martin’s series of songs “A Song of Ice and Fire”.
And let the events occur in a world similar to the Middle Ages, the characters, their motives, and actions are much closer to modern people, which probably explains the popularity of the saga.
With this example, one can successfully show a comparison of medieval and modern circulation.
Reading Augustine and (especially) Foucault, the image of one of the characters in this story, Queen Cersei Lannister, often appeared in my head.
Cersei seems to us more like a negative character: arrogant, weaving intrigue, leading a dissolute lifestyle.
In the beginning, she seems to be not a very important figure: the king never loved her, his father perceived only as an instrument.
But by the end of the series, we see how this woman rules the whole country. Cersei is cruel and self-serving, but they are usually not said to be converted because people are used to understanding this term as a good event that leads to repentance, enlightenment, and a change for the better. But seeing her cruelty, we also see her way.
And therefore, even if this character is negative, he is also one of his favorites.
The Queen’s appeal is a Shameful Procession. She is accused of sins and imprisoned. After some time, she decides to confess one of the sins to free herself and return to the castle. Her acceptance is accepted, but this is only the first step to redemption. To be completely cleansed, the queen must perform the Shameful Procession.
This is similar to what Foucault writes in his work “On the Beginning of Hermeneutics of Himself”.
One way of expressing the truth about ourselves in Christianity of the Middle Ages was exomologesis. It is a confession of one's sins and, more importantly, public repentance.
"Exomologesis helps to get rid of sin, to restore the former purity acquired at the time of baptism, and this is achieved by demonstrating the sinner himself as he is: dirty, soiled, stained."
Something similar lies before Cersei. She is released into the castle, but she must reach it naked, that is, appear before God (and people) the way he created it. During the procession, the crowd insults the queen and throws garbage. She goes this way completely but returns to the castle dirty, wounded and disgraced. But her sin before the church is atoned for.
This symbolic atonement hides something more: the queen is changing, experiencing conversion.
Cersei's life was never easy, but in the past, she had stability and little joys.
But everything has changed: the loss of a son, the death of a father, war, the danger of revealing secret love between her and her brother. In her life, Cersei did something wrong, because even she was imprisoned through her fault, trying to condemn another and believing that she would not do anything for it.
Augustine also first realized that he was living wrong, and then he thought about it and tried to change it. “So I was tormented and yearned, showering myself with reproaches, burning more than usual, floundering and spinning in my fetters to completely cut them off: they already held me weakly. And still, they kept it. ”
Augustine wrote: “And I didn’t have the apology that I used to hide behind:“ I have not rejected the world and do not serve you, because I have not yet understood the truth ”- it was already clear to me.”
Serseya tells herself that no one will come to the rescue, that she can handle it herself.
And it's okay because only pride will suffer. It thinks that it is ready for this, but during the procession does not give up its pride, moreover, it actively demonstrates it.
The beauty of the queen has always been admired and she convinces herself that she now looks like this: more beautiful than all those who insult her.
He believes that the guard will protect or even a brother will appear who will save her.
Augustine, in his confession, also often says “Now, Now!” Meaning that now he will accept the truth and renounce sins. The further Cersei goes, the more it becomes clear that no one will save. The realization comes that beauty has long been not the same as before, and people have no respect.
But before everyone admired the queen, and no one allowed himself insults...