Ethos In The Dark Knight

Heroism is not uncommon. It comes in all forms and fits, though famously indistinct, a gossamer film knit into the human psyche. It is instinctive to its dire call—when one is brought to an ultimatum at the safety of another. It is from this philosophy that the rich diversity of comic book heroes are born. From the semi-sincere politician to the selfless vigilante, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight (2008) draws on its characters in their nuanced sense of obligation, sacrifice, and morality. An infamous underground mafia gang terrorizes Gotham City’s banks, the Police Department and District Attorney work to bring them under fire—but not without a greater fiend meddling in and taking advantage of the ordeal. Under siege by the sadistic Joker
The quintessential hero of the feature is not without self-conflict. Batman, under the alias Bruce Wayne, struggles under the city’s pressure to protect — and most of all, sacrifice — at all costs. Gotham often calls to him to their aid, but he has his own way of responding which is not always pleasing to city officials. Additionally, because of Batman’s esoteric, defiant nature, some are often wary of his credibility. This, in a way, makes the title character the ‘rebel’ hero. Wayne/Batman does his best to be the city’s protector, but there comes times when his credibility is tested. A major theme of this role is choosing between what is logical and what is ethical. One instance is exemplified by emphatically, when Batman is in the interrogation room with the Joker, and the villain's taunts drive him to rage. It is clear
They must have had prophetic reason to say this of the destined District Attorney (D.A.) as he is exemplary of a well-intentioned man who has a flipside, or rather potential to turn if provoked. For instance, at Judge Janet Surrillo’s (Nydia Rodriguez Terracina) funeral, Dent discovers a mentally ill agent of the Joker who claims he does not know where the Joker is. As he is not aware of the man’s state, he tortures and threatens him, even up leaving his life to chance—whether or not Dent will kill him. In this scene, Dent’s lower nature springs forth in unbecoming violent ruthlessness. One could say that Dent’s reasoning for taking a life, criminal or not, is based on logos, more so logical fallacy. Now, there are those instances where Dent shows genuine care for the lives of those in Gotham. He sternly pushes Batman to reveal his identity by presenting a plea of ethics; the longer the masked bat is masked, the more innocent people die. At the press conference where Wayne is to come forward as Batman, Dent makes a startling move in professing that he is in fact the Batman. This is definitely an act of logical decision, and in this case, wholly necessary for Batman. The audience, noting Dent’s often unstable personality, can conclude his manner characteristic of a ‘good guy’ who eventually becomes an enemy. Alluding again to his “heads and you live” incident, per-perspective, his lack of