An Analysis of Youkahainen’s Character in the Kalevala There is an old saying that “to err is human.” For many, this could not be truer, especially when analyzing characters in ancient mythology. Aside from many of the eccentric worldviews they present, part of the reason current generations can still identify with these texts is because of the humanization of legendary characters and divine beings. By having these all-powerful characters display human emotions and experience tribulations, readers are reminded of their own humanity. In the Kalevala, the national Finnish folk epic, the character Youkahainen is no different. Young, invincible, and unwilling to listen, Youkahainen’s rash actions are often rewarded with negative consequences.
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In large Finnish families, it was typical for the oldest son to inherit his father’s lands and the oldest daughter to have acquired a high dowry by the time she was wed. The matchmaking and giving away of the daughter as a bride was typically the role of the father. In the Kalevala, Youkahainen overstepped his roles in two different ways: he disrespected his elder, Wainomoinen, and he promised his sister to him without his father’s consent. Although this event needed to happen for Aino to die and for Wainominen to end up in Pohyola, Youkahainen technically made a promise that he did not have the power to make. The concept of a character overstepping their gender boundaries is also displayed in the Ramayana. As one of Dasaratha’s concubines, Kaikeyi is expected to be a doting, submissive wife that counsels her husband and listens to him. She crosses this boundary, however, when she forces Dasaratha to uphold his honor by granting her the boons he owed her. Her language, while manipulative and passive aggressive, is anything but meek. At one point she says, “Yes—in proper time—after you have fulfilled your promises to me,” and “And now I’ll speak out my mind” (Narayan 42). The whole point is that Kaikeyi, like Youkahainen, disregarded her expected gender roles and acted in a manner which she technically had no authority to do so. However, this act of defiance is needed in both scenarios to fulfill fate. Similar to how Youkahainen’s actions result in Aino’s death, Kaikeyi’s demands also result in Dasaratha’s death. This suggests that one’s transgressions and selfishness have the power to affect those around them, often in a negative manner with dire
In large Finnish families, it was typical for the oldest son to inherit his father’s lands and the oldest daughter to have acquired a high dowry by the time she was wed. The matchmaking and giving away of the daughter as a bride was typically the role of the father. In the Kalevala, Youkahainen overstepped his roles in two different ways: he disrespected his elder, Wainomoinen, and he promised his sister to him without his father’s consent. Although this event needed to happen for Aino to die and for Wainominen to end up in Pohyola, Youkahainen technically made a promise that he did not have the power to make. The concept of a character overstepping their gender boundaries is also displayed in the Ramayana. As one of Dasaratha’s concubines, Kaikeyi is expected to be a doting, submissive wife that counsels her husband and listens to him. She crosses this boundary, however, when she forces Dasaratha to uphold his honor by granting her the boons he owed her. Her language, while manipulative and passive aggressive, is anything but meek. At one point she says, “Yes—in proper time—after you have fulfilled your promises to me,” and “And now I’ll speak out my mind” (Narayan 42). The whole point is that Kaikeyi, like Youkahainen, disregarded her expected gender roles and acted in a manner which she technically had no authority to do so. However, this act of defiance is needed in both scenarios to fulfill fate. Similar to how Youkahainen’s actions result in Aino’s death, Kaikeyi’s demands also result in Dasaratha’s death. This suggests that one’s transgressions and selfishness have the power to affect those around them, often in a negative manner with dire