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meta: arcana meme thing
Jan. 29th, 2010 05:04 pm(ooc: From ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kittydesade's Arcana)
THE BLADE
Because of the atrocities and horrors which sentient being has committed upon sentient being for so long, it has given rise to an archetype to take the thoughts and nightmares of these people. The Blade is both victim and victimizer. Akin to the Twins in this respect, he is both sides of the coin, one of the most common phenomenon amongst the perpetrators of these atrocities being the cycle of abuse. Those who abuse others were themselves abused at some point; those who committed atrocities often once had atrocities perpetrated on them. This is by far and away not most commonly true in the real world, but archetypes deal with extremes found in stories, and it is as common as dirt in the stories.
The Blade takes on both persons as the story or situation requires it, encompassing the pain of both, the rage and helplessness and the hurt and in the victimizer's case, the inability to empathize or to rid himself of ego long enough to stop himself from assaulting the other person. Usually there is only one Blade per work of fiction, although in particularly long works the archetype may manifest more than once at separate intervals. In the Wild Cards anthology series the character of The Astronomer was replaced, in terms of archetype, by Mackie Messer. Mackie Messer was appropriately (for the archetype) also known as Mack the Knife. Quixotically, Mack the Knife was displayed (although not described within the play) as a womanizer more than a murderer, and so does not fall within this archetype.
The Blade is never stable, never has been, no matter how sane or rational or lucid he may seem. He can think for himself, often he can function at a basic level within the society, arousing no suspicion from those around him. He keeps to himself because his social skills are not up to a lengthy conversation with anyone whom he would have to relate with on a scale, in a field he is not used to. Too, he must maintain control of himself and his surroundings, creating an almost pathological need to dominate any situation he is in.
Despite this, the Blade can be controlled by one more intelligent or more socially adept than he, or more aware of his strengths and weaknesses. In cases where there is more than one serial killer there has always been a documented stronger, more influential party. Blades are called such both because they are fond of personal and intimate weapons, such as knives, and because they themselves are often used as weapons. It takes a strong will to wield such a personality, to direct them to a series of chosen targets, but it can be done and often is in works of fiction where the Blade figure is the lesser of an array of evils. Consider the example of the titular character Bill in the Kill Bill movies, and the character of Elle Driver.
kittydesade's Arcana)THE BLADE
Because of the atrocities and horrors which sentient being has committed upon sentient being for so long, it has given rise to an archetype to take the thoughts and nightmares of these people. The Blade is both victim and victimizer. Akin to the Twins in this respect, he is both sides of the coin, one of the most common phenomenon amongst the perpetrators of these atrocities being the cycle of abuse. Those who abuse others were themselves abused at some point; those who committed atrocities often once had atrocities perpetrated on them. This is by far and away not most commonly true in the real world, but archetypes deal with extremes found in stories, and it is as common as dirt in the stories.
The Blade takes on both persons as the story or situation requires it, encompassing the pain of both, the rage and helplessness and the hurt and in the victimizer's case, the inability to empathize or to rid himself of ego long enough to stop himself from assaulting the other person. Usually there is only one Blade per work of fiction, although in particularly long works the archetype may manifest more than once at separate intervals. In the Wild Cards anthology series the character of The Astronomer was replaced, in terms of archetype, by Mackie Messer. Mackie Messer was appropriately (for the archetype) also known as Mack the Knife. Quixotically, Mack the Knife was displayed (although not described within the play) as a womanizer more than a murderer, and so does not fall within this archetype.
The Blade is never stable, never has been, no matter how sane or rational or lucid he may seem. He can think for himself, often he can function at a basic level within the society, arousing no suspicion from those around him. He keeps to himself because his social skills are not up to a lengthy conversation with anyone whom he would have to relate with on a scale, in a field he is not used to. Too, he must maintain control of himself and his surroundings, creating an almost pathological need to dominate any situation he is in.
Despite this, the Blade can be controlled by one more intelligent or more socially adept than he, or more aware of his strengths and weaknesses. In cases where there is more than one serial killer there has always been a documented stronger, more influential party. Blades are called such both because they are fond of personal and intimate weapons, such as knives, and because they themselves are often used as weapons. It takes a strong will to wield such a personality, to direct them to a series of chosen targets, but it can be done and often is in works of fiction where the Blade figure is the lesser of an array of evils. Consider the example of the titular character Bill in the Kill Bill movies, and the character of Elle Driver.
