However much we may want others to be transparent, it is impossible because everyone wears a veil. In this case the veil is a symbol for hidden guilt. There is a reality of personal evil and the veil stands in for man’s hypocrisy. Mr. Hooper says, “if I cover it for secret sin, what mortal might not do the same?” Mr. Hooper believed that everyone had secret sin and should thus wear a veil. Mr. Hooper may be said to be a moral prophet who shows by example the reality of men.
In the beginning of an essay, the “innocent Soto” begins with the statement, “I knew enough about hell to stop me from stealing. I was holy in almost every bone.” The quote acknowledges that Soto is aware that stealing was bad, and then implies that he wouldn’t do such a thing because of his purity. Towards the end of the essay, in contrast, the “menacing Soto” states, “I knew sin was what you took and didn’t give back.” This quote reflects Soto’s greed because saying “I knew” reveals his prior knowledge that his actions were sinful, but did it anyway. Confusion and uncertainty felt by the torn Soto would be the same as any other child his age, a phase that all children experience as they try to find balance in their morals and values. A character worth noting in the book is his grandfather.
Sophocles ingeniously used the idea of fate in his play Oedipus Rex in such a way that Oedipus was without a doubt guilty of committing both patricide and incest but yet at the same time making sure he was clear of all responsibility for his actions with fate as the key stone for this effect. Many people have argued whether or not Oedipus is guilty of these crimes since he is assumed not to have any knowledge of who his real mother and father were or the crimes he was committing but that fact still stands that he did do the crime. Although Sophocles portrayed Oedipus as guilty of the crime of incest he used ignorance in order to divert the responsibility of the crime away from him. When the question of Oedipus’ responsibility for the murder of his father is brought to light there are strong arguments for both guilty and not guilty but when we look at the idea of fate controlling Oedipus it is clear that he is not responsible. Sophocles creates parallels between Oedipus and his father Laius by creating a fear of fate in both men driving them to do what they otherwise would never have done.
‘The White Devil is nothing more than a demonstration of imaginative ways to commit murder’ How do you comment on this judgement? In the White Devil, murderous plots and deadly scheming dominate the play, with the story revolving around the various motives and actions towards the murder of husbands, wives and brothers. However, to see the play as merely a vehicle for Webster’s fatal imaginings would be overly simplistic, and would overlook vast swathes of a play that, behind the murders, pivots on desire, love and intrigue, rather than plain bloodlust. The fact that the characters in the play are not designed to be consumed by murderous desires is apparent when Cornelia questions, ‘What? Because we are poor, shall we be vicious?’, illustrating clearly her belief that murder or violence is not the correct or dignified way of conducting oneself.
Macbeth seems like an even worse person after he kills Macduff’s family for no apparent reason. Macduff has some real hatred for Macbeth, on 143 he says “Not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damned in evils to top Macbeth.” Macduff is not bloodthirsty, he just wants revenge. Because of Macduff there is a strong protagonist to fight against Macbeth. Duncan and Banquo are killed so Macduff takes their place as “the good guy”. Another comparison that is made to Macbeth is with Duncan, the old king.
But have you ever thought of an evil doer to be just someone who messes with your thoughts and emotions? Most of us would answer no, but by reading the Scarlet Letter we see a truly evil man. His name is Chillingworth. He is an example of how one can be truly dastardly without physically harming somebody personally. From the beginning of the story we sense that Hawthorne emphasizes the deformed man in the crowd.
This essay will determine whether it is difficult to feel empathy for Dorian Gray. On one hand Dorian inflicted the bad events in his life on himself, and he also killed two people close to him. This makes It hard for the reader feel empathy towards him. However the reader can relate to Dorian as it can be argued that Lord Henry influenced him to not care about those around him, meaning that he did not intend to harm anyone, this makes the reader want to empathise with Dorian. Dorian Gray is a very complicated character in the sense that he live a double life.
Raskolnikov’s justifies his actions with his extraordinary man theory; this theory proposes that certain people have a perfect right to commit crimes, and they are not confided by human laws. To prove that he was an extraordinary man, he murdered Ivanovna, and since the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, he believed that he wouldn’t feel regret or guilt. Raskolnikov killed Alyona because he believed that she represented the evil in society, and he believed he was doing the world a favor. Raskolnikov over hears a student talking of how one crime could be wiped out by thousands of good deeds. These comments
Christian theologists believe sin to be as an act of offense against God. This can be done by hating His people and Christian Biblical Law, or by injuring others. It is also defined as making a choice that is morally wrong. St. Augustine of Hippo classified sin as a word, deed or want in opposition to the eternal law of God (127). Other Christian theologists, such as Pelagius, define sin as a loss of love for God and an increasing love for one’s self.
For example, once they come across the gold the only thing in their mind is how to keep it for themselves. Third, the symbolism in the story leads us to clues that turned these characters against each other. For example, the old man pointed them in the direction of death, but what they chose to do with what they found only they are to blame. In this story of thrill seeking and death, the characters are easily influenced by their greed and thoughts of betrayal. By looking at the characters, conflict, and symbolism we can determine how this story is a great portrayal of greed as the root of all evil.