First off, I would like it to be known that I am a little bias because Rorschach is indeed my favorite of the Watchmen. This is probably because, besides money and killing criminals, he is the most like Batman and Batman is my absolute favorite comic book character. Rorschach is the only one in the story that stays true to his values and never compromises. As he says, "Never Compromise, even in the face of Armageddon."
I would first like to start off pointing out the hints that the author left showing that Rorschach is the exact opposite to the antagonist of the story, Adrian Veidt aka Ozymandias. First, Rorschach lives in poverty-like conditions while Adrian is one of the wealthest men in the world. Second, Rorschach's stench is repulsive while Adrian's company develops a perfume called "Nostalgia". Third, Adrian is considered to be an attractive man while everyone in the comic considers Rorschach to be ugly. Fourth, Adrian openly admits to the public that he is Ozymandias while Rorschach is still an active masked hero and no one knows his identity. Fifth, Adrian is well loved by the public while the majority of the public despise Rorschach. Finally, Adrian is willing to sacrifice a few million innocent people while Rorschach, even though he has no problem killing the guilty, will not compromise.
Rorschach sees the world in black and white. The guilty need to be punished and the innocent should be protected. That is why when he discovered that Ozymandias had killed millions of people, he couldn't allow himself to stay quiet. In this act Rorschach is killed for being the only one of the Watchmen to stand up for the innocent. In class we discuss rather Ozymandias acts were justified because he "helped" the world avert nuclear war, but I think we over look the simple fact that he killed millions of innocent people. Who is to say that nuclear war was imminent? At the end Laurie convinces Dr. Manhattan to come back to Earth. Overall, for being basically Adrian's opposite and standing up for the innocent, Rorschach is the true protagonist of Watchmen.
I agree in the fact that we should not discount the fact that Oxymandias killed millions of people, but I have to disagree with you admiration of Rorschach (and Batman for that matter). I feel like those two characters are actually pretty conceited. Sure they stick to their moral opinions, but who are they to say that their moral opinions are the only correct ones? Why do they think that they can go about fighting crime in any way they want (outside the law/torturing people) without ever compromising? Personally, I guess I just don't like their personalities because they think it's "their way or the highway."
ReplyDeleteI like Rorschach too. I completely agree with what he stands for, but I think his actions are a little questionable. In real life, I don't think issues can truly be viewed as black and white. There is always some grey area. I like your take that Rorschach is the true protagonist in The Watchmen though. I think I agree. :)
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