Kaleid Posted December 28, 2017 Posted December 28, 2017 One of the biggest moments in Oathbringer (a book full of big moments) was Kaladin's almost-but-not-quite swearing of his fourth ideal. There has been some speculation as to what his fourth ideal would have been, but I haven't seen mentioned what I'd thought at the time. The more I think on it, the more convinced I am that I'm right. All of Kal's oaths so far have been about protecting people. Each has one of his oaths has also been profound to him on some level (increasingly so, I'd argue). I think the fourth oath will be something along the lines of: "I accept that I will sometimes be in need of protection, and will accept protection from other people." This is quite the profound statement for Kal, as even when he was back in Amaram's army, he was the one protecting other people and taking them under his wing. Storms, his reason for joining in the first place was to protect his little brother. It also suggests why he was unable to swear his oath at the time. There was no one there who was capable of protecting him, and accepting that he was in need of protection would imply that be was incapable of protecting his friends at the time. Accepting this would be like accepting Adolin's death. It's also cool to note that the fourth ideal actually directly results in protection in the form of plate. I think this fourth ideal is going to be very difficult for Kal to accept, but represents the next step of his journey. Please comment below whether you agree or disagree!
RShara she/her Posted December 28, 2017 Posted December 28, 2017 There's a thread about this right above yours.
OneNobleSoul Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 I would say it is something along the lines of "I will fight even those I love, so long as it will protect my own chosen path." Or, "I will save myself so I can continue to save others."
thejopen27 he/him Posted January 8, 2018 Posted January 8, 2018 48 minutes ago, OneNobleSoul said: I would say it is something along the lines of "I will fight even those I love, so long as it will protect my own chosen path." Or, "I will save myself so I can continue to save others." I don't think it's quite that dark. It's something that Kaladin personally has a hard time with. Something like; "I will allow others to risk themselves, I will admit that I cannot protect everybody."
Bort he/him Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 I still think it's about his perceived failures. "I will forgive myself my failures, in order to better protect the living." When you think about it, he was almost ready to swear, but it was the memories of the people he sees himself as failing that prevented him. Also, his line to Syl ("It's going to be a hard one, isn't it?"), and her response in the affirmative. His father told him way back when he was still a surgeon's son - "You've got to build calluses, son. You've got to learn when to care, and when to let go." - and this is something he has never been able to do. 1
YKDG22 Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 Yeah, I think this ideal is about letting go of those that died that he felt responsible for. Either that or a reverse of the last ideal: I will kill those I care about, so long as it is right.
YungDankBlast Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 I was thinking something along the lines of: "I will accept that I cannot protect everyone" 1
Vissy Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 I dunno, somehow it seems like Kaladin hasn't even fully internalized his Second Ideal yet. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves. Soldiers can protect themselves but still Kaladin wants to protect them. 1
ZenBossanova Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 (edited) Interesting ideas, but (it has been pointed out to me that) Kaladin has two ideals: Protecting & Leading. We have two oaths about protecting already. If he is trying to think of more oaths on protecting, he might be looking at things the wrong way. I expect his next two oaths will be about leading. Alternatively, the Skybreakers had a quest-type oath (if I recall correctly) and I could see Kaladin swearing to find a way to help/recruit the Parshendi/Parshmen. Edited April 11, 2018 by ZenBossanova
Philomath she/her Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 1 minute ago, ZenBossanova said: Interesting ideas, but (it has been pointed out to me that) Kaladin has two ideals: Protecting & Leading. We have two oaths about protecting already. If he is trying to think of more oaths on protecting, he might be looking at things the wrong way. I expect his next two oaths will be about leading. I don't necessarily disagree with this, but the few times Kaladin was close to saying the 4th oath seemed to be around times he was in situations where he might fail people he cared about. So while I think the oath can be tied to leading in some way, I don't think it has to only focus on leading. It just doesn't make sense in the situations in Oathbringer.
ZenBossanova Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 31 minutes ago, Philomath said: I don't necessarily disagree with this, but the few times Kaladin was close to saying the 4th oath seemed to be around times he was in situations where he might fail people he cared about. So while I think the oath can be tied to leading in some way, I don't think it has to only focus on leading. It just doesn't make sense in the situations in Oathbringer. Perhaps, or perhaps he can't swear the oath, because of simply protecting, what he needs is to protect by leading. In other words, his protection is missing a vital aspect, that he needs to recognize, and then act on.
MountainKing Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/66778-ob-the-fourth-oath-the-oath-of-abandoment/#comment-678540 An older post about what the four oath about.
Subvisual Haze Posted April 13, 2018 Posted April 13, 2018 I think Kaladin just straight up says it to Elhokar at one point: Quote "Elhokar," Kaladin said, gripping the king's shoulder. "Be a hero to the one you can save." I will protect those that I can save. (Or some variant). You can't protect everyone Kal, and you need to honor their free will to make their own choices or willingly put themselves in danger.
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