Watchmen: What Makes a Hero?
1.
Alan Moore’s, Watchmen
Rorschach: Hero or Villain?
Leslie O’Sullivan
2.
The conflict between good and evil has been a prominent aspect of literature, and society itself, for ages. Many popular stories are based around the hero succeeding in their endeavours by defeating the arch nemesis; good conquers evil by performing in a manner that is deemed morally right. However, in Alan Moore’s, Watchmen, the notion of morality is questioned, suggesting that the line separating good from evil does not exist. Rorschach, the most morally influenced watchman, is a major icon when analysing good and evil in this story. Moore incorporates Rorschach with a distinct moral code, demonstrating the complexities of morality and challenging the idea that good is separate of evil. By critiquing the moral judgments of Rorschach, the standardizations of good and evil will be deconstructed, proving that the differences between what makes a hero or villain cannot be identified. Whether an action is “morally correct”, or whether the ends justify the means, rests with individual interpretation.
In order to achieve justice, Rorschach follows moral absolutism, punishing those who he perceives as evil with no remorse and challenging the definition of heroism. Throughout the story, Rorschach displays a black and white outlook on life; there is an empirical right and wrong and wrong must be punished. He is a firm believer that human value is worthless and the only point in life is to make sure justice is provided. His first act of retribution occurs when Rorschach uses fire to burn down the house and kill the man who kidnapped a young girl, butchered her, and fed her to his dogs, “Stood in street, watched it burn. Imagined limbless felt torsos inside; breasts blackening; bellies smouldering; bursting into flame one by one. Watched for an hour.” (Moore, VI. 25) This moment shapes the persona and
Alan Moore’s, Watchmen
Rorschach: Hero or Villain?
Leslie O’Sullivan
2.
The conflict between good and evil has been a prominent aspect of literature, and society itself, for ages. Many popular stories are based around the hero succeeding in their endeavours by defeating the arch nemesis; good conquers evil by performing in a manner that is deemed morally right. However, in Alan Moore’s, Watchmen, the notion of morality is questioned, suggesting that the line separating good from evil does not exist. Rorschach, the most morally influenced watchman, is a major icon when analysing good and evil in this story. Moore incorporates Rorschach with a distinct moral code, demonstrating the complexities of morality and challenging the idea that good is separate of evil. By critiquing the moral judgments of Rorschach, the standardizations of good and evil will be deconstructed, proving that the differences between what makes a hero or villain cannot be identified. Whether an action is “morally correct”, or whether the ends justify the means, rests with individual interpretation.
In order to achieve justice, Rorschach follows moral absolutism, punishing those who he perceives as evil with no remorse and challenging the definition of heroism. Throughout the story, Rorschach displays a black and white outlook on life; there is an empirical right and wrong and wrong must be punished. He is a firm believer that human value is worthless and the only point in life is to make sure justice is provided. His first act of retribution occurs when Rorschach uses fire to burn down the house and kill the man who kidnapped a young girl, butchered her, and fed her to his dogs, “Stood in street, watched it burn. Imagined limbless felt torsos inside; breasts blackening; bellies smouldering; bursting into flame one by one. Watched for an hour.” (Moore, VI. 25) This moment shapes the persona and
References: Moore, Alan, and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen . Book club ed. New York: DC Comics Inc., 19871986. Print.