Revenge

I always wondered why people act so madly so as to harm others. What do they get by hurting  someone? I got my answer today, not from any book or publication  or from any psychologist but from my personal experience. People take revenge when something, that is most dear to them, is taken away. It may be people’s perception that the thing has been driven away or it may occur in reality. Social psychologist IanMckee says that the desire for the provisions of power motivates ruthless behavior as a means of impression management:

“ People who are more vengeful tend to be those who are motivated by power, by authority and by the desire for status. They don’t want to lose face”

Some societies boost  revengeful rites such as a  blood feud. These societies usually attribute the honor of individuals and group  to a central role. Thus, while protecting his standing, a  retaliator feels as if here stored the previous state of dignity and justice. According to Michael Ignatieff:

“ Revenge is a profound moral desire to keep faith with the dead, to honor their memory by taking up their cause where they left off.”

Many religions forbid  the actions taken for revenge. Instead, they teach to forgive others. Islam is a religion of peace and forgiveness. Allah Almighty likes forgivers. But that does not mean you cannot take revenge. You can. But before Him, forgiveness is a better thing. Holy Prophet (PBUH) set the best examples by forgiving his worst enemies. We, as his followers, must consider his life and teachings before acting.

Revenge is a widely discussed  subject in literature, drama, and other arts. Famous examples take account of the plays Hamlet and Othello by William Shakespeare, the novel The Count of Monte Cristoby Alexandre Dumas, and the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe. Other examples are the Greek myths of Medea, the painting Herodias’ Revenge by Juan de Flandes, the opera DonGiovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the novel The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

Eric Jeffe said:

A thirst for  vengeance is nothing if not timeless. It is as classic as Homer and Hamlet, and as contemporary as Don Corleone and Quentin Tarantino; as old as the eyes and teeth traded in the Bible, and as fresh as the raid that took the life of Osama bin Laden. But while the idea of revenge is no doubt delectable — the very phrase “just deserts” promises a treat — much of its sugar is confined to the coating. The actual execution of revenge carries a bitter cost of time, emotional and physical energy, and even lives.

 

By:  Aimon Tanvir Malghani 

Tags: article, opinion, revenge

Share it.