Asterix and the Goths
| Asterix and the Goths (Astérix et les Goths) | |
|---|---|
 Cover of the English edition | |
| Date | 1963 |
| Main characters | Asterix and Obelix |
| Series | Asterix |
| Publisher | Dargaud |
| Creative team | |
| Writers | René Goscinny |
| Artists | Albert Uderzo |
| Original publication | |
| Published in | Pilote magazine |
| Issues | 82–122 |
| Date of publication | 1961–1962 |
| Language | French |
| Translation | |
| Publisher | Brockhampton Press |
| Date | 1975 |
| Translator | Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Asterix and the Golden Sickle |
| Followed by | Asterix the Gladiator |
Asterix and the Goths (French: Astérix et les Goths) is a French comic book story, written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo,[1] and published by Dargaud. It is the third story in the Asterix comic book series, and was originally published as a serial for Pilote magazine in 1962. The story focuses on Asterix and Obelix travelling into the lands of the Goths in Germania in order to rescue their druid from his kidnappers, who seek his power to conquer the Gauls and the Romans.[2]
Several translations of the story were made, including an English version in 1974,[3] though Uderzo later regretted the Germanophobic tone of the story and influenced how German characters in later stories were presented. The story also caused controversy when translators attempted to use it to slip in political propogande without the creators' knowledge.
Plot summary
[edit]Asterix and Obelix travel with their druid Getafix, as he heads from the Gaulish village in Armorica to attend the annual druids' conference in the Forest of the Carnutes. During their journey, the pair meet with Getafix's British friend Valueaddedtax, a fellow druid, before encountering a Roman patrol who warn them that a band of Goths have recently crossed the border into Gaul. Whilst Asterix and Obelix are forced to wait outside the forest, as the conference does not allow non-druids to attend, Getafix wins first prize in a contest regarding druidic inventions by impressing the others with his magic potion that give superhuman strength.
As he leaves the conference to reunite with his friends, Getafix is kidnapped by the Goths, led by Choleric, who had being spying on the druids with the intention of finding a powerful druid amongst them who could help the Goths conquer both Gaul and Rome. When Asterix and Obelix learn Getafix is missing, they join Valueaddedtax to search around where he was heading, and discover a Visigoth helmet. Realizing his predicament, the pair pursue after him, only to encounter a Roman patrol in the process who mistakenly believe they are Goths. To avoid capture, the Gauls knock out two Roman soldiers and steal their uniform, which soon sows confusion amongst the Romans, all while failing to stop the real Goths from escaping.
Forced to cross the border between Gaul and Germania, the pair knock out a pair of Goths and steal their clothing to disguise themselves once again. Tracking down Getafix to a Gothic garrison, the pair accidentally get imprisoned after angering the garrison commander, but find themselves thrown into a cell with a Goth named Rhetoric - a translator who was helping the garrison's chief, Metric, convince Getafix to use his powers for him, but had to falsify his translations when Getafix refused in Gaullish (despite being able to speak in Gothic). After breaking out of the garrison, the pair discover Rhetoric understands their language and force him to lead them to their druid.
Allowing themselves to be captured, the pair are imprisoned with Getafix, who in turn exposes Rhetoric for lying to Metric, leading the translator to be thrown in with them. Discussing their situation, Getafix reveals what the Goths are planning to do, and decides they must prevent a major war breaking out by forcing the Goths to fight amongst themselves. After enduring attempts to torture them, the Gauls trick Rhetoric and Metric into fighting each other for leading as chief, giving them magic potion to do so, and then trick other Goths they should be chiefs. The resulting chaos promptly causes the Goths to abandon their plans of invasion and creates a civil war amongst them. Satisfied with this, Asterix and his friends return home to their village, where everyone delights in their safe return and host a banquet in celebration.
Characters
[edit]- Asterix – Gaulish warrior, and the main protagonist of the story.
- Obelix – Gaulish menhir delivery man and warrior, and a close friend of Asterix.
- Getafix – Gaulish druid.
- Vitalstatistix – Chief of the Gaulish village.
- Valueaddedtax – A British druid, and a friend of Getafix.
- Chief Metric – A chieftain of the Goths.
- Choleric – A warrior who serves Metric.
- Rhetoric – A Gothic translator prized for his ability to translate other langauges.
Background
[edit]The story, written less than two decades after the end of World War II, mocks the Goths and depicts them as villainous characters. Albert Uderzo later expressed regret over the Germanophobic tone and in later Astérix stories, like Asterix the Legionary, Germans are portrayed as more sympathetic characters.[4] Asterix and the Goths was translated in West Germany at the time, but the translators had added political propaganda against East Germany without Goscinny and Uderzo's knowledge. When the Astérix creators found this out they immediately demanded that these elements be removed.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Astérix et les Goths – Astérix – Le site officiel". www.asterix.com (in French). 21 June 2017. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
- ^ "Asterix the Goth". Scribd. Archived from the original on 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
- ^ Goscinny, René; Uderzo, Albert (14 May 2019). René Goscinny – Asterix and the Goths – Hachette Children's Group. Hachette Children's. ISBN 9780752866147.
- ^ "Albert Uderzo".
- ^ "René Goscinny".