Why, de Maistre wonders, is the executioner abhorred [Abhorson, is the name of the executioner in Shakespeare's play, Measure For Measure] while the soldier is treated as a hero? "The one brings death to convicted and condemned criminals, and fortunately his executions are so rare that one of these ministers of death is sufficient for each province. As far as soldiers are concerned there are never enough of them, because they kill wihout restraint and their victims are always honest men. Of these two professional killers, one is highly honored and always has been by all the nations who have inhabited up to now this planet... but the other has just as generally been regarded as vile." This for de Maistre--and for me as well--is a puzzler. If you think you've got an answer, let me know.
To which Lao Qiao said:
Soldiers, I would guess, are admired because they risk their lives for others. Executioners don't risk their lives but instead go home after work.
The name Abhorson includes both the word "abhor" and the word "whoreson." He really is abhorred, that son of a bitch—or as we say in Chinese, gouniangyangde (raised by a dog's mother).
And I say: That's the obvious answer isn't it? Why then does de Maistre make a such a fuss about it, implying that it's all a big mystery? (And by the way, Shakespeare's Abhorson is not abhorred; actually he's not a bad fellow.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Soldiers, I would guess, are admired because they risk their lives for others. Executioners don't risk their lives but instead go home after work.
ReplyDeleteThe name Abhorson includes both the word "abhor" and the word "whoreson." He really is abhorred, that son of a bitch—or as we say in Chinese, gouniangyangde (raised by a dog's mother).