The Worst Things Thorfinn Did In Vinland Saga

Key Takeaways

Disobeyed his father and followed him into battle.
Devoted life to vengeance, obsessed over Askeladd.
Became animalistic, broke into despair, and repeated cycles of violence.

As I delve into the saga of young Thorfinn, it’s clear that his journey is far from a bedtime story. His life has been marred by blood and violence, with his pursuit of revenge against Askeladd serving as the driving force.

In the story of “Vinland Saga,” Thorfinn serves as the central character. He is a complex figure marked by turmoil and sorrow. Raised in peace and away from strife in Iceland, his tranquil existence was abruptly disrupted when his father met a brutal end at the hands of a ruthless mercenary called Askeladd. This event set Thorfinn on a perilous path that led to significant personal growth and transformation.

Nevertheless, this growth wasn’t always a good thing for Thorfinn. He’s made numerous mistakes that were challenging to rectify or undo. His intense hatred and thirst for vengeance painted him as a morally questionable character, making him an intriguing protagonist but one who carries the heavy burden of his past sins. Even after his significant transformation in season 2, Thorfinn’s regrettable decisions and heinous actions will continue to cast a dark shadow over him.

7 Disobeyed His Father

Followed Into The Fray

The Worst Things Thorfinn Did In Vinland Saga

Initially, as a young boy, Thorfinn was full of mischief and innocent. However, this playful nature, unintentionally, plunged his life into misery and sorrow, causing deep distress for his mother and sister who thought they had lost both their male family members in one day – a tragedy instigated by Thorfinn’s boundless curiosity.

In disguise, young Thorfinn secretly tagged along with his dad, Thors, in the heat of battle, concealed within a small barrel. This impulsive action landed him in deep trouble and ended up with him witnessing his father’s tragic death right before his eyes – an experience that left a profound emotional scar on him, eventually pushing him down a dark path filled with violence.

6 Devoted His Life To Vengeance

Obsessed Over Killing Askeladd

In Season 1, Thorfinn’s sole ambition was revenge against Askeladd. The gruesome sight of his father being slain by Askeladd left a deep scar on the young man, propelling him down this destructive path. He made an immediate attempt to kill Askeladd, but failed and the cycle of retribution continued for many years. For a long time, he put this objective above all else that could have enriched his life.

Thorfinn’s strong yearning led him to forsake his family, opting instead to transform into a vindictive fighter. This choice only intensified his own suffering, exposing him to the harsh realities of war, strife, and bloodshed. Vengeance left deep, lasting wounds on Thorfinn that he continues to strive to mend.

5 Took Up A Ruthless And Empty Persona

Became A Monster

Through his journey, Thorfinn underwent a significant transformation. Initially, he was a cheerful and energetic kid, but his fixation on revenge triggered a drastic change in his character. Instead of his usual jovial demeanor, Thorfinn became more reserved and distant, often giving way to fits of wrath and fury.

His behavior turned him into someone hard to interact with and understand. He transformed into a belligerent hermit who harbored deep distrust, and over time, he seemed to fracture more profoundly, a process that is poignantly portrayed in the first season of Vinland Saga.

4 Repeatedly Challenged Askeladd

Continued The Cycle Of Pain

Throughout his life as a warrior, Thorfinn was driven by the thirst for conflict and bloodshed. He honed his skills in combat against numerous adversaries, yet his ultimate objective was always to confront Askeladd. Frequently, Thorfinn would issue challenges for single combat, which Askeladd willingly accepted. So long as Thorfinn obeyed him, Askeladd allowed these encounters to take place.

It wasn’t surprising that each fight ended with Thorfinn losing and being humiliated before Askeladd’s mercenaries. This only added to Thorfinn’s emotional pain, driving him into a state of great sorrow and despair. Yet, it also fueled his determination to train harder and seek more opportunities for revenge.

3 Allowed His Despair To Overtake Him

Became Animalistic

Over time, the cycle culminated in Thorfinn reaching a total breaking point. Following another skirmish with Askeladd, it became evident to him that, as he honed his abilities, Askeladd mastered each of his tactics and consistently stayed one move ahead. This left little hope for Thorfinn to achieve his objective.

Witnessing Askeladd’s death at Canute’s hands shatters Thorfinn even more, pushing him to the brink. This pushes him into a frenzy, a wild, uncontrollable anger. He lashes out at anyone nearby, behaving not as a man but as a caged beast needing restraint, demonstrating the dark depths of depravity that thirst for vengeance can drive one to.

2 Followed Askellad’s Lead

Became A Pawn

Thorfinn’s travel was far from joyful, instead, it was marked by violence and bloodshed. Askeladd, on the other hand, thrived through mercenary work and involvement in various conflicts. This lifestyle often found him serving those with wealth; whoever offered the most money would gain the backing of his mercenary band.

Thorfinn trailed behind Askeladd and his associates, taking part in every brutal act they perpetrated. Frequently, Askeladd relied on Thorfinn as his chief tool due to his talent and loyalty. Over time, Thorfinn honed his skills as a mercenary, unwittingly, and it was not until later that he started feeling remorse for the deeds he had done.

1 Helped Massacre A Village

Committed Atrocities

Among the most heinous acts Thorfinn perpetrated was his participation in Askeladd’s raid on an unassuming village, inhabited by innocent civilians. Following his enlistment into their group and sustaining wounds in a skirmish, Thorfinn was subsequently discovered by a mother-daughter duo hailing from an English settlement. Despite the potential peril he presented, they welcomed him into their home, provided shelter, and tended to his wounds.

Instead of expressing gratitude, Thorfinn lit a beacon for Askeladd and opened the village gates for the mercenaries. This brutal event resulted in the massacre of innocent people, an act for which Thorfinn bears responsibility. This deed, though regretted later in his life, is a grave crime that will forever cast a shadow on Thorfinn’s conscience.

2024-10-27 12:34