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Ferocity, meekness, and chivalry in the modern world.
Sword Chick:
--- Quote from: Christian Tobler on 2008-04-09, 14:05:42 ---"I just go BERSERK!"
Ah, Billy Jack. My life must've come some strange full-circle to find my name in the same paragraph as his! ;) That's definitely one of those movies that has its own crazy-cool to it - kinda like Adam West, speaking of conversations coming full circle...
--- End quote ---
I should have guessed that you would be familiar with Billy Jack. :) I should warn you though, I have this thing for handsome heroes. ;) (Shh, don't tell anyone.)
Sword Chick:
--- Quote from: Sword Chick on 2008-04-09, 19:17:26 --- I should warn you though, I have this thing for handsome heroes.
--- End quote ---
Setting the record straight... after all I married one. Do you think just anybody would come directly from a Boy Scout meeting to accompany me to an industrial park so that he can get hit on the head all to keep me company and involved with what's important to me?
Christian Tobler:
Was Mark wearing his Billy Jack Navajo hat? ;)
CHT
Sir Edward:
OK, now I think I need to rent some DVDs. :)
But anyway, thinking some more on the topic, it seems to me that this dichotomy of ferocity and meekness is very much at the core of the chivalric ideals. In the warrior ethos that Chivalry was back in the day, I think there very much was the sense of "I'd rip your heart right out of your chest if it would win me the tournament, but only for that reason and no other"... Ferocity and brutality as a carefully measured response, not out of malice, and ending with the conflict.
There's definitely a modern need for seeking the right balance, when we see imbalances along these lines in a variety of places. An example that comes to mind is a certain (in)famous boxer a number of years ago who bit someone's ear. One's aptitude in their sport might be highly attributable to the enthusiasm and vigor they have in it, but when they can't step away and turn it off, they can't function as a normal productive member of society. Another example is the classic case of many police officers who alienate their families because they can't switch off the suspicious, antagonistic, and intimidating attitude that serves them well on the job.
However I'd agree with Pamela's line of thought that in the modern world, we probably see more of the opposite problem (partially having to do with devaluing social roles, and political correctness, etc)... Normal people in society, with good social aptitude, who crack under pressure or otherwise can't rise to a necessary challenge.
But it's interesting to see where one can find tidbits of a more chivalrous, balanced approach in modern media as well, particularly in unexpected places. As cheezy as this sounds, I was just watching Rocky III this week and caught a glimpse... At the start of the film, Rocky faces off against a character played by Hulk Hogan. Before it begins, he asks Hogan if he'd be up for a Polaroid photo afterwards, but then the fight begins and quickly gets out of control. Rocky ends up fighting with the gloves off, and when it ends he asks "so how about that Polaroid?", and Hogan says "sure". No malice, even after that level of brutality in the fight. Many would just look at that as good sportsmanship, but I thought it was amusing, and tied into the discussion here. :) (I'm watching all sorts of films from the last several decades, making heavy use of the online rental thing)
Sword Chick:
--- Quote from: Sir Edward on 2008-04-10, 04:48:16 ---
OK, now I think I need to rent some DVDs. :)
--- End quote ---
In the meantime, a little preview:
I found the video when I was looking for a recording of the song "One Tin Soldier". It still has a powerful message to it.
And, yes, Billy Jack can hang his hat on my bedpost anytime. :D
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