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entirely possible for a fighter to be both vor and schwach, e.g. if that fighter is deliberately
retreating in order to lure the other fighter into a course of action that will allow the first
fighter to apply a specific technique – the retreating fighter has the initiative because
they are determining the other fighter’s actions.
Indes is an opportune moment either manipulated or naturally occurring which one can
use to reverse the dynamic of the fight or deliver a blow safely – the system is in
balance, all possibilities are open. The goal of the Zettel is to raise awareness in the
fencer for this moment of balance, which is at the same time a moment of opportunity.
It is a highly dynamic set of concepts, as windows of opportunity are open only briefly,
and tactical success is predicated on recognising the opportunity and being able to
exploit it both in terms of speed of reaction and technical execution.
13
III.4.2.
Fiore’s “Seven Swords”
Rather than focus on the central figure and the seven swords,
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we draw attention to the
four animals surrounding the figure: (i) the lynx, for prudentia or avisamento, wielding a
compass; (ii) the elephant, for fortitudo or forteza, bearing a castle; (iii) the tiger, for celeritas
or presteza, carrying an arrow; and (iv) the lion, for audatia or ardimento, holding a heart.
13
Compare this with Clausewitz’ Book 3, Chapter 18, entitled Spannung und Ruhe – Das dynamische
Gesetz des Krieges (Tension and Rest – The Dynamic Law of War): …alles, was wir über das Verhältnis
von Angriff und Verteidigung und über die Vollziehung dieses doppelseitigen Aktes zu sagen haben, sich auf den
Zustand der Krise bezieht, in welchem sich die Kräfte während der Spannung und Bewegung befinden. (all that
we can say about the relationship between attack and defence and about the consummation of
this mutual act refers to the state of crisis [i.e. decision], in which the forces are suspended
between tension and movement).
14
See Pisani-Dossi MS 17a and MS Ludwig XV 13 32r in the J. Paul Getty Museum (Wiktenauer
<http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Fiore_de%27i_Liberi> [queried 15 May 2017]; the Latin terms
appear in the Pisani-Dossi, the Italian terms in the Getty.