Geass and the Divine Comedy.

[lavaliere]

So, I'm wondering if anyone beside me pays this close attention to the stuff in the background of Code Geass, but I figured I'd ask~

I was rewatching R2's first couple episodes and noticed something interesting that Lelouch is reading in Turn 1. It's Purgatorio, the second part of Dante's Divine Comedy (coming after the Inferno). More specifically, it's Canto 22: The ascent to the sixth cornice, the sixth cornice, and the Gluttons. Now, when I first thought about it, I thought "lelouch is a pretty smart guy. eh reads classical literature and doesn't afraid of illiteracy."

But then I went back to read the Canto itself. At first glance, you wouldn't think that gluttony would apply to Lelouch in any way, but when we think about another form of gluttony, avarice, it does. Avarice is defined as "excessive or insatiable desire or greed." Wouldn't you say this applies very well to Lelouch in the way that he desires power?

And I think this particular part is intersting, if we were to apply it to him:
how, amid all the wisdom you posessed--
   and which you won to by such dilligence--
   could Avarice find a place within your breast?"

At these words Statius let a brief smile play
   across his lips, and fade. Then he replied:
   "I hear love's voice in every word you say.

Often, indeed, appearances give rise
   to groundless doubts in us, and false conclusions,
   the true cause being hidden from our eyes.

The first speaker is Virgil, the poet that leads Dante through Hell (the Inferno) and up through Purgatory. The second is Statius, another poet that joins the two in Purgatory as they ascend.

My translation is different from the one that Lelouch has:


Another thing that makes Lelouch's reading of the Divine Comedy interesting is what happens in episode 21. Anybody recognize this? It's probably one of the most famous lines from Dante's Divine Comedy. For those who don't know, it's what is posted above the Gates of Hell. The cantos read as this:

I AM THE WAY INTO THE CITY OF WOE.
I AM THE WAY TO A FORSAKEN PEOPLE.
I AM THE WAY INTO ETERNAL SORROW.

SACRED JUSTICE MOVED MY ARCHITECT.
I WAS RAISED HERE BY DIVINE OMNIPOTENCE,
PRIMORDIAL LOVE AND ULTIMATE INTELLECT.

ONLY THOSE ELEMENTS TIME CANNOT WEAR
WERE MADE BEFORE ME, AND BEYOND TIME I STAND.
ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE.
(the Inferno, Canto III)

But what I want to know is how does this apply to the Sword of Akasha or the power of Geass? I'd love to chalk it up as "lol, Sunrise" but somehow I think Tanigutchi has some sort connection in mind...

And on a completely unrelated note... I see what you did there, Sunrise.

Comments

[powercorrupts.livejournal.com]

I have to agree (with where I think you're going, at least). I think since the first episode it's been clear that Lelouch has an unhealthy relationship with power - it was the initial reason I continued watching, despite disliking the rest of the show. Given the show's direction, I think it's clear that Lelouch will find himself "damned" for this vice in some form or fashion. What I find unclear is whether or not it will be an obvious sort of damnation, or a more insidious one.

In some ways, everything that's transpired to this point, every pitfall that's happened to him since the show began, can be tied to his powerlust. Most of Lelouch's greatest tragedies have indeed been his own fault, after all. In a way, everything that's happened to this point could be his damnation. Being the Emperor of Britannia could be his damnation, in a strange way (I kind of want a Dune ending, but I'm probably alone in that).

On the other hand, his damnation might be something that has yet to unfold. Swimming lessons seems the obvious one, but there are a great many ways he could end up that could drive home the point. C.C.'s belief that she is damned, that she is a witch (and thus a heretic), and more importantly, Lelouch's acceptance of damnation would seem to fit in with this idea. If some form of punishment for Lelouch's sins awaits him, I'm sure it's no less than he's expected he's due for.

I think it really depends on where Geass is going at this point. Swimming lessons seems almost too obvious, but at the same time, a happy ending doesn't really jive with what I expect from Geass, either.

I chalked the quote in 21 up to "lol sunrise," but forgot that of all things, it had been the Divine Comedy that Lelouch had been reading earlier. (I personally love the bit of characterization of Lelouch reading classic literature. He plays the classic hero and villain often enough for it to be beautifully ironic)

Maybe I'm just completely and utterly missing the point, though. I really should attempt to discuss Geass sober one of these days, it might improve the fandom's opinion of me.

[lavaliere]

I've given up trying to analyze Geass sober. Because, frankly, I doubt the writers write it while sober. I really think they like to take every bit of political, historical, social, and psychological concept relevant to the world today, stick them in a blender with some fuschia sprinkles, then dump the undoubtedly delicious cocktail out on the drawing pad.

But, I do get what you're saying and we're on the same wavelength. Lelouch seems to embody quite a lot of traits of the Classical Tragic Hero, complete with Oedipal complex, Hubris, and what looks to be a set up for a tragic fall (which he's already had at least once). Already, C.C. has mentioned that Geass will separate him from humanity and Geass makes so much of a point at driving that concept home that I will be very dissapointed if they don't finish with Lelouch becoming exactly what C.C. warned him. Yes, Swimming Lessons seems too obvious, but a similar path seems appropriate. Maybe even something like a TTGL ending. Lelouch may ultimately create the world he wants to see, but can't live in it.

But if Sunrise doesn't go the obvious or predicted course: we've all been good clowns. Sunrise, you trolls

[powercorrupts.livejournal.com]

The writers are definitely on something. I can't imagine anyone coming up with some of those plot twists (or feeling a need for them) while in complete control of one's faculties. All the same, they're doing something right, given Geass' popularity. xD

At this point, I have no clue what end they have planned, but if it's not appropriately relevant to Lelouch's flaws, I might be a little disappointed. I think no matter what, though, at least at this point they've set it up for that to be the thing to take him out - especially with this Emperor set-up of his. He's spent the entire series rising to this point - if he does fall, it will only make it that much more satisfying. As much as Lelouch is my favourite character, appropriate classicly tragic come-uppance would be truly amazing. Though, all things concerned, I was halfway expecting the writers to make good on their Arthurian references and have him die along with Charles, but I suppose in the end they resisted the Mordred comparison.

If Taniguchi is Ribbons, then that just means that everything just makes that much more sense. Seriously excellent trolling, there.

[lavaliere]

Eh, I'm actually not surprised that Geass is popular, considering it's story line. It's the type of plot that seems popular these days in television. I mean, there are plenty of American TV shows that are very similar, just not animated (ie. Lost, House, etc).

Argh, Mort d'Arthur, I hate you. D: And all your variations. I still think Geass has time to pull off a Mordred comparison, even if Anya isn't related to the Emperor. They've gone through with nearly every other comparision so far, and with the current pace of the story telling, it wouldn't be surprising if it even happened in the next episode or something. I still want to see Gino fall for Kallen and then die.

As for Lelouch... Yeah, I'd totally be disappointed if the series didn't go through with the tragic fall. Of course, if they pulled of something else, while making it as fabulous as episode 21, I'd applaud Taniguchi. But being a fan of classical literature, I'd be happy to see a modern day (and Japanese) equivalent. I'm sure Aristotle would be proud too.

My pet theory is that Taniguchi really is Ribbons (or at least thinks like him). Partially for the lulz, and partially for the trolling. Geass has been a good game so far. Keep it up, Taniguchi. |D