Why Must He Die? Reflections on the Curse of Lucretius
Type de matériel :
35
We must endeavour to reconstruct our forefathers’ moral coherence regarding the issue of rape. Our judgment today of their moral behaviours and appreciations leaves a lot to be desired. It is unacceptable to keep referring to these as archaic. There exists some kind of Lucretian “curse” that casts anathema onto all future rape victims who will not commit suicide. This stance is unsettling today to say the least. It prompts us to question the links between rape and suicide. St. Augustine clues us into some vital understanding on the subject. Little by little we are able to fathom the extent to which suicide proves that there is no stain. It is a question of honor. Montesquieu gave us some useful precisions on the code of honor. Suicide becomes an expression of loyalty. During WWII certain Jews were unjustly criticized for not having resisted the Nazis long enough. Ultimately, it is our contemporary understanding which is baffling and subversive following the rise of individualistic societies. Still, the link between rape and suicide has not yet been completely severed.
Réseaux sociaux