True name
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A true name is a word or group of words in the Ancient Language which represented a person's true self. Since the Ancient Language allows for objects to be controlled through their names, the knowledge of one's true name is a source of great power. Brom warned Eragon that if another person learned his true name, he could be controlled by that person. It was revealed in Brisingr that a person's true name can be changed, and in doing so a person gains freedom from all past commitments he made in the ancient language. In other words, if a person were to promise something in the ancient language and his/her true name changes at a later date then the promises no longer hold since he/she is essentially not the person who made the promise anymore. In order for one's true name to change, their personality has to change in some significant manner. For example, Oromis stated that becoming a mother and meeting Brom altered Selena to such a degree that her true name changed.
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[edit] Characters who know their true names
- According to Brom in Eragon, all elves instinctively know their true names.
- Murtagh
- Thorn
- Brom
- Sloan
[edit] Other Known True Names
- Brisingr, Eragon's sword, might be both the name and true name of the sword. However, it is not confirmed, but most likely as whenever Eragon says its name, Brisingr, it bursts into blue flames.
In Brisingr, when Oromis promised to teach Eragon everything he could concerning any one branch of magic, Eragon asked if Oromis could teach him his true name. Oromis admitted that he likely could, but denied the request, telling him that "a person must earn enlightenment." He stated that while a true name could be of great importance magically, it was not a spell in and of itself and therefore exempt from his promise.
[edit] Characters who have Altered their True Name
[edit] Real-world connections
[edit] Speculations
- As of Brisingr, Eragon still does not know his true name. Murtagh, however, must be aware of his true name since Galbatorix tortured him and explored his consciousness untill he learned his true name and called him by it as a means of gaining control over him. However, Galbatorix is believed to not know his true name as Arya stated the knowledge would likely drive him mad. It is also a possibility that the seven words in the Ancient Language that Brom told Eragon are Galbatorix's true name, because Brom died immediately after telling him to "Use them in your hour of greatest need." That is likely because there is a spell on Galbatorix's true name that kills anyone who uses it.
- There is one time also where Eragon is specifically asked if he knows his true name by the Shade Durza, but it is not his true name as Durza tries to use it and fails. However at the point in the series Eragon's knowledge of the ancient language isn't up to par as is the case with Elva (ie. Skolir vs Skoliro). Brisingr is the ancient word for fire but it can also mean other things associated with fire such as light. When questioned by Durza fearing for the his life Eragon makes up a name in the ancient language that was to mean "He who kills the shadows" this could be his true name however just pronounced incorrectly.
- Eragon's true name may be Brisingr, as when he first mentions it to Brom, he felt incredibly alive and that he felt shivers.
[edit] Literary Connections
Both the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and Ursula LeGuin employ the concept that true names are powerful and are not readily shared. For example The Quest of Erebor that was included in the Unfinished Tales by J.R.R. Tolkien demonstrates that in Tolkien's mythos the dwarves never share their actual names with outsiders, and instead have another name to use when abroad. In the second volume of The Lord of the Rings, Fangorn the Ent gives a brief mention about the power hidden within one's true name. Throughout Tolkien's works, the ents, elves, dwarves, men and maiar all possess many other names that they utilize instead of their true names.
In Ursula LeGuin's Earthsea saga, true names are held to be imbued with great power and used sparingly, for example the Archmage Ged, is more often called Sparrowhawk throughout the series and his true name is used only in special circumstances.
Much emphasis is also placed on "true names" in the Bartimaeus Trilogy, a work by Johnathan Stroud. However, in this series, a person's true name is the name they are given by their parents at birth. Young magicians are taken from their parents at a young age and must decide on a new name to use in public, as a person's true name can be used against them by both fellow magicians and demons alike. It is stated by the demon Bartimaeus that he can turn any punishment given by Nathaniel, known to almost all as John Mandrake, back upon him, due to the demon's knowledge of Nathaniel's true name.
The Books of Pellinor, a series written by Australian poet and author Alison Croggon, also refers to the power of true names. True names are the essence of one's self and to deny oneself is an unthinkable atrocity only one man has ever committed, the Nameless one. One's true name can only be learned through an instatement to a full Bard. The protagonist, Maerad, learns her Bardic true name under a ceremony with the White Flame. If someone knew her true name, they could exert power and control over her. Luckily, she had three names, and had an elemental true name which protected her from those who knew her Bardic true name.
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