Category:Twins

The twin sons of the protagonist are archetypes standing in at different points for intergenerational, international, civil, and sibling war. Shem and Shaun are eternal rivals for replacing their father and for Issy's affection (among other things). They are identified with:

• Set and Horus of the Osiris story
• Jacob & Esau and Cain & Abel from Genesis
• Shem, Ham & Japhet, the three sons of Noah
• the wolf-raised Romans Romulus & Remus
• St. Michael & the Devil (Mick & Nick)
• Jhem or Shen: Jameson → John Jameson & Sons Ltd, Dublin whiskey distillers → twin of Arthur Guinness & Sons Ltd, Dublin brewery

Shaun is portrayed as a dull postman, conforming to society's expectations, while Shem is a bright artist and sinister experimenter. (As HCE retreats before the rumors, he seems to transform into Shem, the artist who writes the book.) They are sometimes accompanied by a third personality in whom their twin poles are reconciled, called Tristan or Tristram. Presumably, by synthesizing their strengths Tristan is able to win Issy and defeat/replace HCE, like Tristan in the triangle with Iseult (Issy) and King Mark (HCE).