Wouldn’t you know it, just as Prince Caspian is about to be released to DVD and Blu-ray Disc, a BBC documentary is announced that won’t air until Easter. Not that I blame them… that is pure marketing.
The documentary is called “The Narnia Code” and it is based on a theory that the Chronicles of Narnia books all relate to the different planets in our solar system.
Each of the seven children’s chronicles is based on one of the seven planets that comprised the heavens in medieval astrology, says a scholar whose theory is examined in the programme.
The explanation comes after more than five decades of literary and theological debate over whether Lewis devised the fantasies with a pattern in mind or created characters and events at random.
It is put forward by Reverend Dr Michael Ward, in his book Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of CS Lewis.
Norman Stone, director and producer of The Narnia Code, to be screened on BBC2 at Easter, says the theory is the “best explanation yet” for the chimerical nature of the books.
The Chronicles of Narnia have sold over 120m copies in 41 languages since their first publication in the early 1950s first of the books, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, was turned into a film starring Tilda Swinton and James McAvoy in 2005.
The books are already known to work on two levels: the fantasy narrative enjoyed by generations of children, and the Christian allegory in which the lion Aslan represents Christ. However, Lewis never revealed the hidden key behind the series.
Dr Ward made his discovery in 2003 after reading The Planets, a poem by Lewis which refers to the influence of Jupiter in “winter passed / And guilt forgiv’n” – a theme echoed in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
He claims Lewis’ knowledge of medieval history, of which he was one of the leading scholars, made him familiar with the characteristics attributed to the seven planets during the period. Each of these planets gives one of the books its theme. Prince Caspian, for example, is a story ruled by Mars, who is manifested by soldiery and battle, while The Voyage of the Dawn Treader focuses on the Sun, with its light and gold themes. In The Horse and His Boy, based on Mercury, the planet that rules the star sign Gemini and is associated with the power of communication, the characters include twins and a talking horse.
Mr Stone said: “This isn’t the first theory on Narnia and I don’t suppose it will be the last but this is the best explanation yet.
He added: “This will help change the view of Lewis. It will help elevate Lewis to a different level and make him the equal of Tolkien – both as a writer and thinker.”
So, who’s interested in this possible theory? Thoughts?