It’s the Last Supper for Ragnar, and everyone might be Judas.
We are addressing that conflict between Christianity and paganism.
The depict human and emotional dilemmas using this motif, the image of prophesied betrayal.
Credit: History Channel
All the figures in these paintings are concentrated around the words: One of you will betray me.
I think thats the key to understanding this image that we have from the show.
Its exactly the same issue thats being confronted.
Looking at this, there are at least four people in this picture whove already betrayed Ragnar.
And there are two people who are going to betray him again.
We start with Ragnar, the central, Christlike character in a study of prophesied betrayal.
He sits on a throne, looking straight out of the picture.
Its interesting that his oldest son Bjorn doesnt even have a place at the table.
Does that suggest that he might be excluded from the succession?
He seems to be whispering earnestly in his fathers ear.
Could be he whispering a warning about who might betray Ragnar?
Lagertha sits on Ragnars left.
So Bjorn is standing behind his parents, and this makes a family triangle.
Lagertha is also looking straight ahead.
This reinforces the image of Lagertha as a very strong and independent-minded woman.
But the picture seems to be saying that she doesnt need them or depend on them.
She is already her own woman.
By contrast, Kalf is staring at her fixedly and unashamedly.
He is a man in love.
He is not engaged with anyone else, even Ragnar.
So perhaps it suggests he may not be the one who is going to betray Ragnar.
Her body language is very interesting.
Sitting on her knee is her crippled son, Ivar.
It was Ivar who Ragnar left outside to die as a baby, but who Aslaug saved.
Its clear she still has a very close and protective attitude toward the boys.
She is still, in fact, protecting him from Ragnar, by turning her back on the king.
We might remember she has already betrayed Ragnar by sleeping with the wanderer, Harbard.
And, at the end of season 3, she coldly ordered the murder of the Christian convert.
Could it be that her role in the dramas ahead will be darker and more unexpected?
Floki, sitting next to her, seems to think so.
His finger is pointed, almost accusingly, at Aslaug.
Perhaps he is wondering what she will do next.
This interpretation is bolstered by the way young Ivar is staring at Floki, with clear fascination.
We remember, too, that Floki has also effectively betrayed Ragnar by murdering the beloved monk Athelstan.
We know that, now the secret is out, Floki will have to pay for his betrayal.
That may be why Floki seems also to be looking across Aslaug, and also at Ragnar.
Their relationship has always been complicated.
To the right of Floki are a strange couple.
King Ecbert of Wessex, and Judith, the wife of his son, Aethelwulf.
They have become lovers.
Unlike Ragnar, who does not enjoy power, Ecbert wears his crown.
He has large personal and political ambitions, and he doesnt mind who he betrays to bring them about.
And that may not, in fact, be the last betrayal.
Judith watches him out of the corner of her eyes.
He is not to be trusted.
But like all the women in the picture, she is actually strong and independently minded.
And although watchful, she is clearly neither timid nor afraid.
Gisla does not look sure about the whole enterprise.
She is not looking at Rollo at all.
