Avenging Angel
I love the sound of the word Vendetta!
Vendetta! Say it with me, Vendetta! It has such a lovely ring to it. It almost feels as if you’re in Italy, with a great big knife, pumping it in and out of your worst enemy’s chest. Vendetta! Vendetta! Vendetta!
But the word itself, dissected by dictionary is, “…[] a blood-feud between families or other parties…” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendetta). Hmmm… I think the sound and the imagery of vendetta can be so much more. Let’s explore shall we…
Vendetta, I think, depends entirely upon your conviction to the task at hand.
For example, returning to my earlier story of Robin Hood: Robin’s deceptions, lies and conciliations with Nottingham have become a thing of legend, in fact, today, the Merry Men and the new Robin Hood uncover more and more underhanded tricks that he (the old Robin) and the old Nottingham left behind (our order, you see, is apostolic).
I openly opposed Robin when I returned from Europe. Our little jaunt nine or so years ago made Robin a hero in certain circles. Today he and I are enemies. And while he no longer holds the post of Robin Hood, he and I, the Merry Men say, have a vendetta.
Shortly after returning home from Europe I met one young impressionable man whose mouth dropped in awe when he realized that I actually knew this Robin Hood personally. This starry-eyed young man asked me what Robin was like in person. I told him, holding nothing back, exactly what I thought of Robin Hood! To my surprise the young man seemed more appalled with me than with the real truth about Robin Hood. Glorification of Robin Hood, at least in his mind, had not changed, and I made zero impact on his impression. If this is true for this one young man, then so it must be for others.
As the years have passed I have realized that my vendetta with this Robin Hood can only be complete with a clear and total victory being achieved. He must be crushed – and I will accept no less. How could I not? Do you know how many votive candles I lit, in the presence of the Saints, in hundreds of Churches across Europe, for Robin and his Lieutenants? I prayed for Robin. My best wishes were for Robin; Robin was my champion, and like Will Scarlet, he was also my friend, how could he betray, not just me, but all the Merry Men so completely?
So here is my plan, my vendetta:
Expose Robin for the selfish and silly man that he is – but only in the context of a far greater story. He will be but a byline, a footnote in a tomb of lyrical genius that the world has never before seen. Translated into all languages, and openly discussed by young men and women in the high established echelons of learning for centuries to come. Postulated by professors and championed by politicians. Chapters will become life-lessons and poets will use paragraphs as fodder for dreams of allegorical and mythological epics that we have not seen since the days of Homer, Spenser, MacDonald and Lewis. Yes. My vengeance will be sweet – I can taste it now as I write. Robin will become the Shylock to my Antonio; the Capulet to my Montague; and the Goliath to my David. LOL! Empty the great libraries of the world! All that space will be easily filled with the sweet and easy text of my single creation – my Vendetta! Yes! My sweet Vendetta – my chimerical beast! My pen is prepared for battle! LOL! What is this on that hidden, dusty and yonder library shelf? “The History of Cardenio” and “Love’s Labor’s Won.” To the trash heap with them both – why waste time with mere frivolity when we have the beautiful, spiritual and exquisite work of the “The Vendetta of Chowbok.” My desert isle is made complete! My dry, sandy and parched desert flowing with…
But, wait…
…before I explode forth with more and more passion I am sobered by the immortal words of exnzpat – “…imagination is only limited by the extent of madness…” or was it the other way around, “…madness is only limited by the extent of imagination …” I forget which, but either way, just for a moment, let’s put my daydreaming aside and come down to earth. Let us return to the man in question – the thorn in my side.
Robins Plan, his vendetta:
Does it matter? Does he even have one?
And here, I feel, we have the essence of true vendetta – the feud, the fight, the battle. Surely, there is an arrangement in place that a battle is to be waged? In fact, the very word “battle” implies an agreement, or at minimum, an arrangement of some sort to be at hand, otherwise what holds both parties to the field?
Without an agreement (that a vendetta is in play) we must conclude that no vendetta exists; and if it does exist then obviously it exists only with one party and not the other. Could this be a more accurate definition of vendetta – a one-sided argument? Are those engaged in vendetta simply bitter jealous persons with no-account personalities that dream of glory through the destruction of a person or persons they see as ruinous to their sad, unfortunate and miserable lives?
I am not suggesting that vendetta is not a valid form of argument, for it must be, for otherwise it would have no name, but rather it is the style; the form and grammar of assault upon ones enemy that is critical. To clarify: structure and underlying theme is essential. First, an agreement of dispute must be drawn-up. Second, the nuances and expression of said dispute must be laid bare and understood by both parties, and third, there must be witnesses – without witness — who decides the victor? Victory can take many forms – and somebody other than the feuding pair must decide when victory has been achieved, and awarded to whom. Without such arrangement you have nothing more than a….
…vendetta?
What? Why, here I am, back at square one and none the wiser!
Perhaps my musings on vendetta have been focused only on the final outcome, i.e. Victory! And rightly so, for what is the point of a vendetta if there is no victory. Entering into any argument is pointless without a clear victory in mind. Can it be then that vendetta indirectly implies a zero-sum outcome? That to enter into a vendetta will involve a magnitude of infinity? Surely not! But, in truth, I think it does. Vendetta implies failure.
I don’t like to fail.
So maybe, what I’m really after is far crueler: Vengeance! Vengeance is similar in taste and sound as vendetta but without the cheery ring. Vengeance implies snakes and worms and things that crawl – am I so shallow? Am I so low? Am I a sneaky thing?
Is vengeance a thing that should be demanded? Its definition, “…[] infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person []…” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vengeance). Injure, harm? Am I that person? One who hurts others? I know I am not passive, and yet, I don’t think I’m vindictive either. I know that I don’t really wish to hurt or injury another person, nor do I seek to humiliate another – what I want – what I really want — is for myself to be made whole for my damages. Inflicting pain and injury on another can never make me whole because what I want cannot be found without-me but must be found within-me. Vendetta, in light of this evidence, must therefore be the struggle between choosing to forgive my enemies and choosing not to forgive them.
A fuller and more clearer image of this "Avenging" Angel
Hugs and Coffee in the place of a swift nail-puller between the eyes?
“Hmmm… vendetta – sweet though you maybe, it appears that you are really only a product of my mind’s-eye — how I choose to deal with you must be of my own making.”
And so here we have it! My vendetta – it will be done! I will write, not Robins story but the story of the Merry Men. It will be story of young courageous men and women who, together, put-it-all-on-the-line and took on a Nottingham. My characterization of the cast will be human. There will be love, lust, greed, hate, bravery, foolery, friendship and camaraderie. You will laugh, clap and cry, for you will see yourself in Robin Hood – afraid, unsure and alone – a decision maker of unpopular decisions. And in Friar Tuck’s outrageous antics you will laugh out loud but also be appalled, and yet, inside, you will carry that secret smile – if only you so dared! And for the rest — a band of Merry Men all unique unto themselves – anxious, selfish, generous and caring; misfits in one way; heroes in another. For myself, I am just the story teller. Best I keep out of it and let the characters lead the way. And slowly, over time, as I write, I will learn to forgive – and to this — my sweet vendetta – I bid you goodnight and farewell.
Wow. Another layer cake of a post, Chowbok — food for thought on many levels. Thanks!
A few initial comments while I digest …
It interests me that you portray the ‘goal’ of a vendetta as some sort of annihilation, a ‘final’ victory, or total humiliation. Are you serious? [asked without irony]
What about the idea of upholding accountability? Or the idea that innocent potential victims of Robin Hood (your ‘young impressionable man’) may be warned by your actions in ‘exposing’ the charlatan for what he is?
As I noted eslewhere, ‘vendetta’ can be the charge spat contemptuously at a campaigner (as it was at Bernard Hickey).
I just call it having an attention span… questioning people’s marketing claims … and remembering them — maybe keeping a copy of the email they sent you with the hyperbolic ballyhoo, smoke and mirrors.
As we discussed around The Paradox of Animosity:
I say YES, it is possible, but it’s a slippery slope.
And you need honest, thoughtful advisors and friends to warn you when you’re possibly getting a bit ‘nutty’ or unseemly with your idee fixe. (I’m blessed. I mean it.)
For me, vengeance doesn’t click into play unless I’ve been hurt, or people I care about have been. You wouldn’t like me when I’m vengeful.
Speaking for myself ONLY, the “white knight on a crusade for truth” self-image (a big part of the journalistic ethos) involves exposing (that word again) corruption or lies or false dealings. Why blow the whistle? Many just can’t help themselves … Asperger syndrome? Maybe. (Not really joking.)
I’ll come back with some more thoughts about your meditation (thanks for posting it) but in the meantime I take some direction from our earlier thoughts about avoiding hate and eschewing bitterness and this:
“A long dispute means both parties are wrong.” — Voltaire
PS don’t think I didn’t notice the nail puller.
“…It interests me that you portray the ‘goal’ of a vendetta as some sort of annihilation, a ‘final’ victory, or total humiliation. Are you serious? [asked without irony]…”
Oh, yes. What is the point of vendetta if there is no goal in mind or no victory for you? Best sit it out and let the world turn without you. This is no simple contest of wills. It is a true battle — fist-fight in the dirt or a gunfight at noon. Winner takes all, I say.
“…What about the idea of upholding accountability? Or the idea that innocent potential victims of Robin Hood (your ‘young impressionable man’) may be warned by your actions in ‘exposing’ the charlatan for what he is?…”
Good point. But, I think that there is a time and a place for everything. Looking back, I was simply just ahead of my time, that was all. And I also saw and heard things that others did not. I have not yet told you the story of Little-John, who at that time was Robins’ right-hand man. Little-John is a man of high moral fiber, and several weeks before the “unacceptable compromise” was to be struck, Little-John refused to yield. Little-John decided that he could not put his name to the betrayal and was sacked by Robin Hood. Little-John and I are friends and he told me stories that would curl your toes.
It was far too early in time for Robin to be exposed as the fraud that he was. And it was far too early in time for me to tell “his” story as a fraud. In fact, after I returned from Europe Robin and Nottingham looked like an in-sync dance couple. The majority of the Merry Men saw this as the spirit of a “good working relationship.” Not me! Nottingham is still Nottingham! Low and lower! My behavior, arguing against Robin Hood, was considered inappropriate and unpatriotic.
But, over the years, as time has passed, Robin has been exposed, and it was his own actions that caused his downfall, not mine nor any other. Though, it is nice to be recognized as the guy who said “I told you so.”
People acting badly are their own worst enemy. Those of us on the sidelines who are affected by their behavior can only try to intervene. But, in the end, self-destruction must be played out to that very real self-destructive and bitter end.
In Robin’s case he is not done yet. Incredibly, he and his closet lieutenants, even though ostracized, are waiting on the sidelines to sweep back into power. They have their loyal followers and believers. If this happens then I shudder to think of the consequences…
But, back to your question, “…what about the idea of upholding accountability?…” Yes, an important facet of our social fabric – regardless of where one lives. Abuse of privilege is how I view your own Robin Hoods’. Your Robin Hoods’ are different from mine (subtle though they are). Your Robin Hoods’ have cloaked themselves behind the concept of the “complex” and the “let-me-help-you-help-yourself” industry. In short, your Robin Hoods’ are praying on the ignorance of others. And yes, I agree that they must be exposed – but my question is “when” rather than “how”. When will the ignorant be ready to actually listen and pay attention? As in the case of “my young impressionable man,” people are only ready to listen after the fact – after they have been damaged!
The truth for me is this: it really is not about the Robin Hoods and the Nottingham’s of this world. It is about the Merry Men. Written truthfully and carefully, singling out no one individual, but using “real names”, the reader will decide which characters are to be vilified and which characters are to be loved. My vendetta, at least, will play on the human condition of empathy, and from that, there can only be one conclusion, i.e. the same as mine (the writer) — the reader will see the world and its prejudices through my eyes and not their own; thus, Robin Hood becomes a villain – and the beauty is I don’t need to say it.
Is it REALLY a Vendetta?
“As in the case of “my young impressionable man,” people are only ready to listen after the fact – after they have been damaged!”
Hmm, yes. And sometimes not even then, if they’ve drunk too deeply of the Kool-aid.
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Thanks Chowbok. Interesting thoughts!
Here’s a thing: I’m not sure I’m willing to buy the idea, as you seem to do for yourself, that I am engaged in a ‘vendetta’. (Not that I expect anyone else to care very deeply about how I see things.)
I’ve been reflecting on your depiction of your own ‘battle’ or campaign (or waiting game?) with ‘your’ Robin Hood as a vendetta (lit. a blood feud) — as a battle to the death.
Mate, I am just not there myself. Crusade, yes, campaign, yes. Even war of words, maybe, but Vendetta? Nope. Seeking annihilation? Neh.
In fact, taking a leaf out Thomas Szasz’s teachings (much-feted by libertarians, but for all the wrong reasons) as I see it that Vendetta ‘label‘ is a defensive slur sometimes cast at me (and Bernard Hickey et al) in a dishonest, intellectually-lazy, dodge the argument, ‘let’s-not-talk-about-the-real-issues’ smokescreen — usually in reaction to criticism.
Sad to say, these deficient, untruthful labels can easily become adopted by others — a form of group-think, as Perry indicates — to the detriment of the discussion/conversation. That happens, as I see it.
A lie repeated enough times gains currency. The ‘in group’ and ‘out group’ demarcation plays up such xenophobia and negative paradigms to the point where the critic can get ostracised and the ‘villain’ protected — as with your case.
Rather than answer or argue the criticism, often the ‘subject’ of it, goes on the attack (narcissistic bully-boy through and through) trying to smear the critic as nasty and abusive, following a ‘negative’ agenda, etc etc. (Character attack as a form of defence — an age-old tactic.)
When in fact, rather than ‘vendetta’ it could just be an ongoing conversation, with new thoughts occurring on a theme. Maybe the conversation was initially sparked by a revelation of hyperbole to the point of deceit… then concern for others, and then motivated by a desire to protect innocents from harm (as the ‘campaigner’ sees it) … and out of a sense of moral outrage.
Sound plausible?
“The truth for me is this: it really is not about the Robin Hoods and the Nottingham’s of this world. It is about the Merry Men. Written truthfully and carefully, singling out no one individual, but using “real names”, the reader will decide which characters are to be vilified and which characters are to be loved. My vendetta, at least, will play on the human condition of empathy, and from that, there can only be one conclusion, i.e. the same as mine (the writer) — the reader will see the world and its prejudices through my eyes and not their own; thus, Robin Hood becomes a villain – and the beauty is I don’t need to say it. “
I liked this, Chowbok. Well said.
Interesting question, “do I have a vendetta with my Robin Hood?”
The answer is yes. He has cost me (personally) a lot of money and The Merry Men, collectively millions of dollars.
Oh, I have a vendetta Peter, and I do aim to collect!
So for me, it is easy, I know where I stand.
The attacks on you and your friends by the Property Spruikers – are just the last ditch efforts of a drowning rat gasping for air.
Indirectly, these people have cost you and every honest property developer, broker, agent, speculator etc., in New Zealand, a bundle of money because they have essentially undermined the foundation of the industry. Not only that but these Property Spruikers have undermined consumer trust, good moral business practices; and real laws too. This fact cannot be altered – and at some point in time — in the near future — someone is going to have to foot the bill for this bad-Spruiker-behavior.
I never said vendetta was a dirty word. Property Spruiking is a dying trade and as these folks collapse about us they will leave gaping wounds in the fabric of the property industry – money heals all! And when that money has to come from the cadre of the honest folks whose good and honest judgment was never in question then perhaps we will see the ire of vendetta at play!
“I never said vendetta was a dirty word.”
OK. That’s important for me to understand. Thanks.
It’s just, as I said, ‘ohh, Vendetta!’ has been hurled at me as a pejorative allegation (in the same lame way that particular spruiker tried to smear Hickey)… as if ‘Vendetta’ = the argument, then, is not worthy of consideration.
And, truth be told, there is potentially something vaguely unbalanced (me, not you) in an ongoing ‘war’ … One needs to relocate the reason for one’s actions, when possible, or fall under Voltaire’s “a long dispute means both parties are wrong” maxim. (Not to mention the ‘distraction factor’.)
Is it a ‘battle’ worth waging? You say yes. So do I, with provisos.
“The attacks on you and your friends by the Property Spruikers – are just the last ditch efforts of a drowning rat gasping for air.”
Good picture! May it be so.
Good on you for being clear on your stand. I respect that. – P