Revenge in a Society -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 15:38:00 05/04/08 Sun
Author: JPJ II
Subject: Revenge in a Society

I've written before on this forum about the Civil War in Corcyra during the Peloponnesian War in 427. Specifically, I'd now like to point out Thucydides' treatment of the issue of Revenge in the Polis: "Indeed, it is true that in these acts of revenge on others men take it upon themselves to begin the process of repealing those general laws of humanity which are there to give a hope of salvation to all who are in distress, instead of leaving those laws in existence, remembering that there may come a time when they, too, will be in danger and will need their protection." Thucydides notes the destructive nature of reciprocal violence gone wrong, going on to write that it destroys the city. Interestingly, he points to the necessary nature of prohibition within the community as a means to avoiding such a crisis. We've discussed in this class the options that one has when dealing with violence in the community: Revenge, payment, or a justice system. Thucydides takes great care to document the consequences of abandoning the system of non-partial justice.

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Replies:

Re: Revenge in a Society -- Mytilene -- Cara, 19:10:49 05/04/08 Sun
Re: Revenge in a Society -- Mytilene continued -- Cara Burke, 19:14:01 05/04/08 Sun
something to add... -- JPJ II, 20:04:48 05/04/08 Sun