Wilhelm, Reinhard & Heinkel: Understanding The Astrea Family Dynamics In Re:Zero
The Astrea family holds a place of great prominence within the Kingdom of Lugunica, known for producing the bearer of the title “Sword Saint”—a knight endowed with unparalleled skill and power.
Despite their prominence, the Astrea family’s internal relations resemble a can of worms best left unopened in Re:Zero.
The relationships between Wilhelm, his son Heinkel, and his grandson Reinhard are fraught with tension and misunderstanding, largely stemming from the tragic death of Wilhelm’s wife, Theresia van Astrea.
The three men are estranged, with Reinhard arguably bearing the brunt of the familial discord for reasons beyond his control.
To comprehend the depth of their estrangement, let’s take a look into their past and explore where things went wrong!
Table of Contents
- Theresia van Astrea: The Heart and Soul of Wilhelm’s Life
- Theresia’s Death and Wilhelm’s Resentment:
- The Melancholy of Reinhard van Astrea
Theresia van Astrea was more than just Wilhelm’s wife; she was his savior, his anchor, and the person who brought light to his world of solitary swordsmanship.
Before meeting Theresia, Wilhelm was a brash and solitary young man, wholly devoted to the sword as the only means to express himself.
But fate brought him to Theresia, a girl he initially encountered sowing flowers amidst ruins. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air in his bleak, sword-dominated world.
In Volume 16 of the Re:Zero light novel, Wilhelm recounts his initial meeting with Theresia, stating:
“When I first met my wife, the issue of a man with thoughts of nothing but swinging a sword in his mind must have bored her to tears.”
However, despite Wilhelm misgivings, Theresia turned out to be a person who understood him easily, and quite well too! She understood why he chose to wield a sword, and Wilhelm naturally felt more comfortable being around her.
The love story of Wilhelm and Theresia, famously known as the “Love Song of the Sword Demon,” is a tale woven through the clash of steel and the blossoming of an unexpected connection. I won’t elaborate on that here in this article.
However, I’ll say this, Theresia’s quiet strength, grace, and unspoken suffering under the mantle of the Sword Saint drew him to her like a moth to a flame.
Wilhelm, for the first time, understood that wielding a sword was not just about strength, but about protecting those he loved. Theresia’s presence transformed Wilhelm, turning a lone wolf into a man capable of compassion and empathy.
I won’t say he became a romantic overnight, nor did he become a flowery person. Wilhelm’s world still revolved around the sword, but the way he went on about it was totally different.
His world, was now made up of Theresia only!
As Wilhelm recounts:
“So long as I grip a sword, my feelings for my wife shall no doubt persist. Accordingly, when I die, I want to die with a sword in my hand. To me, that is nothing less than continuing to be with my wife.”
Theresia had become the single most important person in his life. And he couldn’t have been happier.
But happiness was fleeting. Theresia’s death during the Grand Expedition to subdue the White Whale shattered the fragile peace they had built together, leaving Wilhelm a broken man and igniting a chain of resentment and blame that would tear the family apart.
I elaborated on how Theresia was Wilhelm’s everything. So naturally, her death during the Grand Expedition to defeat the White Whale changed everything.
Things were only worsened by the fact that Wilhelm believed this misfortune was totally avoidable.
Wilhelm was unable to be by her side in her final moments due to his duties investigating the kidnapping of a royal family member—an incident that is rumored to have involved Heinkel.
This absence was the source of deep regret and resentment for Wilhelm. What complicated matters further is Heinkel’s role in Theresia’s death.
As revealed in a conversation between Subaru and Julius in Volume 16, Heinkel was the one who recommended that his own mother, who had already retired from active duty, participate in the Grand Expedition to face the White Whale
His refusal to take up arms himself and pushing Theresia to fight in his place was seen as an act of cowardice.
“At the time, it was Lord Heinkel who recommended that Lady Theresia, who had already laid down her sword and retired from active duty, participate in the Grand Expedition.”
Wilhelm’s grief morphed into bitter resentment, not just toward Heinkel but also Reinhard, who inadvertently stripped Theresia of her Sword Saint’s Divine Protection.
The transference of the Sword Saint’s blessing to Reinhard occurred when he was only five years old, exactly during the time Theresia was on the Grand Expedition.
This event was out of anyone’s control, yet Wilhelm could not help but associate Reinhard’s inherited power with the loss of his beloved wife.
In Wilhelm’s eyes, had Theresia retained the blessing, she might have survived her battle with the White Whale.
Wilhelm’s grief, coupled with Heinkel’s betrayal and Reinhard’s unwitting role in weakening Theresia, created a rift that drove them apart.
WARNING MAJOR SPOILERS FOR ARC 5 (SEASON 3) AHEAD!!!!!
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Despite the animosity, a glimmer of hope emerged after the White Whale’s subjugation. Wilhelm, recognizing the need to heal the wounds of the past, expresses a willingness to mend his relationship with Reinhard.
In Priestella, with Subaru’s subtle encouragement, tentative steps were taken towards reconciliation too.
However, this fragile peace didn’t last long either. It shattered when Reinhard slayed Theresia’s reanimated corpse at the end of Arc 5.
This traumatic event reopens old wounds, pushing Wilhelm back into a state of grief and anger, severing the connection with his grandson.
The Melancholy of Reinhard van AstreaReinhard’s childhood was defined by isolation and blame.
Wilhelm, too consumed by his own sorrow to recognize Reinhard’s suffering, blamed the young boy for a tragedy he had no hand in causing.
As the heir to the Sword Saint’s blessing, he was treated as little more than a tool of the kingdom, mostly thanks to his father.
Heinkel neglected him, and Wilhelm saw him as a living reminder of Theresia’s death. Even though Reinhard desired familial love and approval, he was only met with resentment and harshness
Being told repeatedly that his existence was the reason for his grandmother’s death caused Reinhard to internalize that blame, affecting his sense of self-worth.
The tragic irony is that the very power that should have been a blessing turned out to be a curse, separating him from those he loved.
Burdened by the unintentional role he played in his grandmother’s death, Reinhard believed that his desire to be a hero like Theresia led to the transfer of the Sword Saint’s blessing to him.
Despite all of this, Reinhard continued to revere Wilhelm and sought to earn his forgiveness.
His character is no doubt filled with melancholy from a childhood marked by abandonment and the weight of responsibility for something far beyond his control.
However, some of his actions need to be studied further.
As I mentioned above, despite Wilhelm and Reinhard’s relationship improving during Arc 5, it was abruptly cut down in the same fell swoop that Reinhard put down Theresia’s reanimated corpse.
To Wilhelm, Reinhard’s seemingly emotionless response was a stark contrast to his own overwhelming grief. He perceived his grandson’s actions as devoid of empathy or remorse.
Seeing that his grandson was being the epitome of an android hellbent on defeating enemies without any second thought, Wilhelm lost it all.
Now, I won’t say Reinhard’s actions were right. No, they were inhumane if you ask me. However, the blame rests on Wilhelm himself for what Reinhard did:
Wilhelm’s treatment of Reinhard exacerbated the young knight’s emotional turmoil. Blinded by grief, Wilhelm projected his anger onto his grandson, unable to separate Reinhard from the circumstances of Theresia’s death.
Instead of offering guidance and understanding, Wilhelm offered coldness and isolation.
Once you completely understand Reinhard and his childhood, you’ll understand that his actions during the Witch Cult’s attack on Priestella was a defense mechanism
Accepting that the figure before him was truly his grandmother would have meant confronting the cumulative weight of the blame and guilt he had carried since childhood.
By viewing Theresia as an enemy to be defeated, he could compartmentalize his emotions and fulfill his duty without being paralyzed by grief.
The lack of nurturing relationships hindered his ability to process complex emotions. Reinhard’s adherence to duty and honor became his coping mechanisms, allowing him to find purpose amidst the turmoil.
It is safe to say that Wilhelm inadvertently contributed to Reinhard’s emotional suppression, Heinkel too (but more on him in the next section). The young boy grew up without positive reinforcement or understanding from the very people he admired most.
Moreover, Wilhelm’s emotional stoicism set a precedent for Reinhard. Seeing his grandfather suppress emotions and prioritize duty above all else taught Reinhard to do the same.
I know, you will be sympathizing with Reinhard now. However, it’s time to take a look at the most hated member of the trio – Heinkel van Astrea!
Heinkel – A Detestable Man, But Not Entirely HateableHeinkel Astrea is often depicted as arrogant, selfish, and cowardly. His actions have undoubtedly caused significant harm to his family, but a closer examination reveals a more complex character.
While his behavior may be reprehensible, it is rooted in very human flaws—grief, fear, jealousy, and a longing for recognition.
Heinkel’s downward spiral began with the mysterious illness of his wife, Louanna, who fell into a coma-like state shortly after Reinhard’s birth.
Unable to cope with her condition and the subsequent death of her doctor—whom he had mistreated—he turned to alcohol.
His grief and guilt consumed him, rendering him incapable of fulfilling his duties as a father or a knight. His resort to alcohol and neglectful behavior can be seen as maladaptive coping mechanisms in response to the traumas he faced.
But that’s not all. Living in the shadows of his illustrious parents, Heinkel felt perpetually inadequate. His refusal to face the White Whale stemmed not only from fear but also from a sense of unworthiness.
Pushing Theresia into battle was a desperate attempt to avoid disgrace, a decision he would come to deeply regret. It not only strained his relationship with his father, Wilhelm, but also solidified his status as “unworthy” in Wilhelm’s eyes.
However, what we fail to understand is this. Theresia too was willing to take up the job of killing the White Whale. While Heinkel is not free of blame, he is not the only one we should be blaming!
Now, even at this point, Heinkel was someone who cared for Reinhard, as he was the only one who supported the boy when Wilhelm blamed him for Theresia’s death.
But Heinkel’s relationship with Reinhard would soon become fractured. One possible reason for this is the immense power that resided within his son. Reinhard is the recipient of several blessings, making him the pinnacle of power in Re:Zero.
However, this extreme strength is also what jeopardized his relationship with his father.
In Heinkel’s eyes, Reinhard was becoming more of a monster every day. The fact that Reinhard could easily defeat Heinkel, even at a very young age, only widened the rift between them.
But to say that he was a father devoid of affection would be wrong. The man was just too depressed and needed help!
While he often mistreated his son and used his status for personal gain, there are indications that he was conflicted. His fear of Reinhard’s power and his own feelings of guilt clouded his ability to express genuine paternal love.
When looked at objectively, Heinkel displayed self-destructive behavior and pushed away his loved ones due to feelings of unworthiness and guilt.
Moreover, his fear of Reinhard’s power is not just about being outmatched physically but also about being overshadowed and rendered irrelevant.
In the end, whatever scheming tactics Heinkel comes up with are rooted in his desire to save his wife, Louanna. He doesn’t mind sinking his hands deep into filth if it means getting her back healthy.
It seems he wants to leave behind at least one thing he can be proud of, and bringing back Louanna is the only goal he has left.
It blows my mind at how well Tappei has written this complex dynamic, and how we, as readers were slowly introduced to it through multiple arcs. It is safe to say that issues still haven’t been resolved.
We’ll have to wait and see how things develop from here on! What are your thoughts on the Astrea family dynamic? Let me know in the comments below!!