reminder that Octavian canonly has delusions and seems to have little grip on reality. reminder that Octavian probably has psychosis. reminder that it was used to demonise him, whether intentionally or not. reminder that in a way he’s written as an ableist stereotype.
I think Rick tried to make it an undertone so we could realize he turned out that way because no one took him seriously or helped him and they just overlooked/ignored his issues so he felt alone and betrayed when the Greeks came because they were almost instantly welcomed and supported even when they (accidentally) bombed New Rome, but they never showed him (someone actually important because “uh, I see the future?”) any affection or made him feel welcome.
But almost all readers overlooked that too because from the POV of the characters he’s just an annoying little shit so the readers treat him like that too.
The undertone is definitely there though, just like with Percy’s depression and Smelly Gabe being physically abusive towards Percy and (probably) Sally.
id love to see it like that but rick has, many times, made it clear that, in his belief, octavian is bad; he has also stated that he doesn’t write mentally ill characters (and that demigods are just “stronger” so they don’t get them as easily. keep in mind this is referring as to why percy and annabeth dont have ptsd after tartarus)
flowerfaag 