Revenge, Hypocrisy And Emotional Pain

May 22, 2022 by Essay Writer

Hypocrisy, causing one to commit an even greater wrong than the one they seek vengeance for, consumes them with the desire for revenge. Caused by the desire to seek vengeance and punish someone who has caused internal or external pain to one or someone they are close to, revenge is able to consume and convert someone into a hypocritical creature.

For example, in The Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth’s wife, Hester, commits possibly the worst sin to the Puritan society: adultery. Chillingworth is consumed by the desire to seek vengeance on Dimmesdale, the man responsible for the destruction of his relationship. Chillingworth hurt, wronged and mad, imagines “a more intimate revenge than any mortal ad ever wrecked upon an enemy” (Hawthorne 216). Serving as Dimmesdale’s doctor, Chillingworth causes mass internal torture and destroys Dimmesdale both emotionally and mentally. With the sole purpose to seek harm, Chillingworth pretends to be a helping figure for Dimmesdale and falsely serves as a healer and friend. Comprehending the internal guilt and self-torture that this man has inside, Chillingworth violently attacks him, ultimately turning him into the man who has caused his desire for revenge: a deceitful, insincere and flawed creature. With the power of revenge, a virtuous, ethical and principled man is converted into a hypocritical, vengeful and harm-seeking brute.

On the other hand, some may claim that revenge is not the worst sin of all because it provides an accomplished, gratifying and positive feeling for the person seeking vengeance. Seeking revenge on one who has caused internal or external pain, allows for a release of the pain and puts justice to the foul acts that this person has committed. In a study, researchers found a clear and notable link between pleasure and emotional pain. For example, in a situation where someone is rejected, although it can be painful at first, as one is given the opportunity for revenge it rapidly converts into the sensation of pleasure. The rewarding feature of aggression and revenge allow for the pleasure and satisfaction of one internally. For example, when someone is provoked, they will act in a accurate and precise manner as their brain sees the rewarding results it will bring (BBC Hogenboom 2017).

However, although some may believe this to be true, in reality revenge does not love any problems and only creates a repeating cycle, as each action will only entice the other to seek vengeance once again. Also, although there are studies showing a clear link between pleasure and emotional pain, there are no studies that explore the sensations of revenge in a long-term spectrum, like days or weeks after they have done the harm. However, there have been studies, although unpublished, that demonstrate that the feeling of pleasure is only temporary (BBC Hogenboom 2017). Unfortunately, when contemplating to seek revenge, individuals only consider the positive outcomes that it’ll bring, however they become blind to the effect it will have n themselves internally. Even so, although seeking revenge on the person that hurt one the most may provide them with pleasure in the moment, there should be, in no-way, a dependence that the feeling will last forever.

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