Do we know for sure he's dreaming of cosmos? He could also be more a chaotic demiurge that created and destroyed his creation (to make it perfect ultimately)? Until his own creations managed to contain his power... for time, I guess.
well, he was made mentally inept by the "elder gods" in the war he waged with them, so he's both horribly brain damaged, and very tired.
a creator deity "who made the gods and thereafter rested."
a creator deity "who made the gods and thereafter rested."
Outside the ordered universe is that amorphous blight of nethermost confusion which blasphemes and bubbles at the center of all infinity—the boundless daemon sultan Azathoth, whose name no lips dare speak aloud, and who gnaws hungrily in inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond time and space amidst the muffled, maddening beating of vile drums and the thin monotonous whine of accursed flutes.
so in other words, the weaker gods are keeping him asleep, otherwise..
so in other words, the weaker gods are keeping him asleep, otherwise..
I think the idea with elder gods fighting against Azathoth was introduced by Derleth whose work and ideas I dislike (to put it mildly). Original Lovecraft's work does not seem to mention anything like this.
i understand, i just thought the explanation was needed for this deity, even though i've never seen his work.
I think he might be seen as mad simply because his mind is incomprehensible for other beings. Or maybe being all-powerful he needs no mind at all.
well, it is said his very mind is omniscient, when he's awake that is.