#pyramids by frank ocean | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ride-thedragon · 11 months ago

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Why Nettles is so Pyramids by Frank Ocean Coded.

Now that I'm officially back, I've decided to prove myself and my love for this character by using one of my favourite artists, Frank Ocean.

@bohemian-nights is one of my oldest mutuals and seems like the best person to tag for this wild ride. Also, we had an interaction about it once.

Before I begin, I'm gonna put a great video analysis of this song because you all should listen to it.

youtube

Now let's get started.

What is Pyramids by Frank Ocean?

It's basically a nine minute story like song that focuses on a 'Cleopatra' like figure in two different time periods. One as the original 'jewel of Africa" being stolen from a Pharaoh by a man promising her the future and one as a sex worker working at "The Pyramids" to live day by day. She remains a mystery throughout the entire song as we are told about her through the experience and expectation of her by different Narrator's, a servant, the Pharaoh, her love interest/ the thief, A pimp that sleeps with Cleopatra and her unemployed boyfriend.

All that aside, go listen to the song. It's one of if not Frank's best and it's an experience the first time for sure.

Swiftly moving on,

NETTLES AS PYRAMIDS

Okay, the breakdown was important because I'm gonna break it down similarly to reflect Nettles.

ACT 1

PART I

Think of this as a reflective part of the story. A summarization of what's to come in the story.

"Set the cheetahs on the loose" is equitable to the death decree on Nettles.

"There's a thief out on the move" reflects both Sheepstealer and Daemon.

"Underneath our legions view" both Rhaenyra and the Mootons who are sworn to her. Daemon is also directly beneath Rhaenyra.

"They have taken Cleopatra" in the song you learn that Cleopatra goes willingly, but from this perspective, she is taken, similar to the accusations against Nettles with both Daemon and Sheepstealer.

"Run, Run, Run, come back for my glory" is Rhaenyra saying that she needs Daemon back at her side but also an allusion to the idea that Nettles might not be a dragonseed, and is a question to the legitimacy of Targaryen Exceptionalism.

"Bring her back to Me" the decree call for Nettles head but also the idea that Daemon would be free after her death.

"Run, Run, Run, the crown of our Pharaoh/ The throne of our queen is empty." Daemon does take the place of a "queen consort" during the dance with the added title of protector of the realm. It's important to note that the dance was a war to see who would sit the iron throne, and with that in mind, Rhaenyra is being challenged, with her crown being challenged, Daemon is also not there, leaving the throne empty.

The repetition of Cleopatra takes different meaning to what's missing.

PART II

The first 2 lines are in reference to Alyn and Addam of Hull as the bastards of Corlys and who are now black in the series. All three of them (even Alyn) are now viewed as precious things in the 'future' as recognised dragonseeds and riders. Later on, their loyalties and position in this new place are also questioned "in a rocky world."

"Our skin like bronze and hair like cashmere" in reference to the new matched appearances of the Driftmark dragonseeds to house Velayron as all are played by black actors (allegedly).

The rest of the verse is dedicated to the "Fall of King's Landing," where Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen ascends the throne notably with the Dragonseeds flying and ensuring no challenge to her reign as soldiers in the war.

Daemon Targaryen famously takes Nettles to Maidenpool "underneath our legions view, they have taken Cleopatra" to put a stop to the burning of the Riverlands. The thief in question is still Nettles as she is accused of enchanting the prince.

PART III

Now, this time, the refrain is a set up to the prompt given to us by Mysaria, "Even now, she shares your husband's bed, and soon enough she'll have his bastard in her belly."

The jewel of Africa, however, refers to the decree where Rhaenyra says Nettles used spells to bind a dragon to her. "What good is a jewel that ain't still precious?" is a constant question throughout fire and blood and with the Targaryens who were very selective with who got a dragon up until the reign of Viserys. The idea that only Targaryens can control dragons leads to their power and without that illusion, it is questioned. Nettles is proposed as an active threat to this in the narrative.

"How could you run off on me? How can you run off on us?" is Rhaenyra in both reference to Nettles, alluding to the betrayal she thinks that has occurred and Daemon, with their marriage and rule over the kingdom. Her decree specifically wished for his return.

"You feel like God inside that gold

I found you laying down with Sampson and his full head of hair."

Daemon gets Nettles gifts and clothes to wear during their time in Maidenpool. He dresses her differently and seemingly spends all his time at her side. There isn't a mundane activity described that he doesn't spend with her.

Mysaria, Rhaenyra, and the Mootons agree to the idea that she was near or in his bed. The only reason the decree isn't followed is because the Mootons fear the wrath of Daemon, similar to Sampson and Delilah, where his weakness seems to be nothing until they learn about his hair, they fear him until that point. Unlike Delilah, Nettles is only accused of harming Daemon and is ultimately protected by Daemon's legacy, "6 men or 60 men, he's still Daemon Targaryen."

The Black Queen is Rhaenyra in this instance with bad dreams being the decree and the potential barm thar is wished on Nettles by her. This part is from the perspective of Daemon.

Part IV (ACT 1)

At the end of their story, Nettles is sent away for her protection by Daemon, who then decides to fight Aemond Targaryen, alone, an established suicide mission in the narrative. Aegon can also be the referenced "he" who killed Cleopatra

Later on, Rhaenyra is killed by her brother Aegon and his dragon Sunfyre. Theories surrounding alternate timeliness where Daemon went back often end with Rhaenyra surviving the dance at his side.

The serpent in her tomb can be Mysaria, who led Rhaenyra down the path of destruction against the advice of more trusted advisors like Corlys. Cleopatra historically died with a snake bite.

ACT 2

Part 1.

Perspective change.

Daemon Targaryen spends all his time with Nettles. They eat, bathe, sleep, and fly together each day, returning to Maidenpool, where this behaviour is documented by the Maester.

Their dynamic is consistent with the Mootons where they fly and track Aemond, returning to Maidenpool to defend the Mootons in exchange for hosting them. She is, in fact, working.

The song alludes to Cleopatra in the future being pimped out, seen through the perspective of either a pimp or client alluding to her boyfriend.

This perspective could also be taken by the Maester recording these interactions between the prince and Nettles, watching her, and hearing of their activities through the maids, recording it.

Part II

This part is only given to Daemon Targaryen.

The baths they took were described in the narrative as such,

"Soaping her back or washing the dragon stink from her hair, both of them as naked as their namedays."

Now the idea that they were actually sleeping together in light of this information is an easy conclusion to come to which informs the rest of the verse until, "ride, cowgirl".

Her love in the narrative is no longer free because men can pay to sleep with Cleopatra, and a shared love within the relationship is now a job for her but still a way to connect for him.

Within the fire and blood narrative, however, Nettles love is no longer free because of the danger of the mission they embark on every day. If they meet Aemond on the route, she can lose her life in the fight in exchange for being housed in Maidenpool, a transaction to continue this illicit relationship away from the eyes of the court. Her love was also always a danger as she is an unknown mistress of the Prince Consort of the Realm, a risky position at any time but especially during war with the threat of heirs and the grief and wrath Rhaenyra experienced during this time.

ACT II (Part 3)

In the end, Nettles gets away. The singers say Daemon finds her, and they live out their days in the Mountain of the Moon, in the Vale of Arryn where she is alleged to be the fire Witch the burned men worship. She's working at the pyramids (buildings often constructed as tombs for old rulers to ascend from and live on through).