A man of over thirty might be held to be at the height of his powers, but not necessarily of his wisdom

A man of over thirty might be held to be at the height of his powers, but not necessarily of his wisdom

In the world of Dorothy Dunnett's historical fiction novels, the idea that a man of over thirty might be at the height of his powers but not necessarily of his wisdom is a recurring theme. Dunnett's characters often find themselves in positions of power and influence, yet struggle to navigate the complexities of politics, relationships, and personal growth.

One such character is Francis Crawford of Lymond, the protagonist of Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. Lymond is a man in his thirties who is renowned for his intelligence, charisma, and skill in battle. He is a master strategist and a natural leader, but he is also impulsive, reckless, and prone to making decisions based on emotion rather than reason. Despite his many talents, Lymond often finds himself in situations where his lack of wisdom leads to disastrous consequences.

Another character who exemplifies the idea that power does not necessarily equate to wisdom is Nicholas de Fleury, the protagonist of Dunnett's House of Niccolò series. Nicholas is a young man who rises from humble beginnings to become a wealthy and influential merchant in Renaissance Europe. He is ambitious, cunning, and resourceful, but he is also arrogant, manipulative, and willing to sacrifice others for his own gain. As Nicholas climbs the social and political ladder, he must confront the consequences of his actions and learn to temper his ambition with wisdom.