This page is about the ideas expressed on my other pages, but from a different perspective: that of my real-world self, rather than that of my fictional Klingon alter-ego. Some of the ideas behind his essays cannot be clearly expressed within the context of his world-view, so instead of just leaving them to lurk between the lines, here they are.
Some of the ideas behind his character are things he would never admit to, so they're here, too.
I thought it would be funny for a Klingon ship to have a Chaplain. Then my former CO wanted reports for the newsletter. The Monastery grew out of those reports, and then grew a lot more with the addition of Resu-t's wonderful mythology.
It should be noted that we only have Khaywolf's word for it that the Monastery of Gre'thor exists; actually, he made it up to justify his claim to being a cleric so he could get out of doing any work on board his erstwhile ship, the IKV Stranglehold.
While in real life I am an Apatheist, I was at one time very interested in neopagan religions. The resurrection of old religious beliefs (generally known as mythology -- a term used to make them less threatening) is an idea I find aesthetically pleasing, though not something I am actually able to believe in. The idea of a devil or bogeyman being a deposed object of worship is one with many historical precedents, so applying it to Fek'lhr seemed appropriate.
Khaywolf worships Fek'lhr because he was kicked out of Boreth.
Khaywolf isn't sure whether she's a Goddess, a con artist, or a lunatic. Whatever she is, she has enough followers among his former shipmates that he figured he'd better act as if he believed....
Basically, it just bugs me the way the Klingons are portrayed as supposed atheists who dedicate a temple to awaiting the Second Coming.
Khaywolf denounces Kahless because he was kicked out of Boreth.
To clarify the matter of honor, we have to look at the meanings of the word. One meaning is external: the regard and standing accorded one by society. This is the way Klingon honor is depicted on Star Trek. It can be taken away, or restored, by the High Council. It is based not only on one's own actions, but on the actions of one's family. Kurn's honor was taken away as a result of Worf's actions; I find this repugnant. I object to honor, in this sense of the word, because it is unfair.
Khaywolf objects to honor, in this sense of the word, because he had none.
Another meaning is personal honor: a sense of right and wrong, with adherance to acting in accordance with what is right. There are many theories on the basis of ethical systems; I believe they are instinctive in origin, based on behavior patterns which tend to enhance the chance of survival of the species. The reason there is so much disagreement on the details is that our instincts are muddled by our intellects. I am a great believer in this kind of honor.
Khaywolf pretends to believe in it, to justify his objection to the other kind of honor.
These two definitions of honor are entirely different from each other, but because we use the same word for both, we tend to confuse the two. When Gowron told Worf he had lost everything, and Worf replied "I have my honor," he referred to his personal sense of honor, which shows that he really does not think like a Klingon; in Klingon terms, his honor was forfeit.
I'm a dental ceramist, a husband, a stepfather, a grandfather, a retired swordfighter, a migraineur, a major depressive, a college dropout (major in philosophy), a player of odd musical instruments, and a guy who likes to dress in funny costumes.
Khaywolf is a fraud, an iconoclast, a lecher, and fun to play. He has recently been sighted aboard the IKV SuvwI' po'
| Page created by Wolf Klauschie wolf.klauschie@sbcglobal.net |
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All opinions expressed herein are those of the author. No copyright infringement is intended by the use of any Star Trek terms and expressions held by Paramount Pictures, the estate of Gene Roddenberry, or any others.