Speaker A
How has everything been turned against us?
A reflective narrative exploring guilt, identity, and the necessity of becoming a 'monster' to survive and protect loved ones.
Key Takeaways
- Guilt and self-reflection are central to understanding one’s actions and identity.
- Morality can be complex and sometimes requires harsh decisions for the greater good.
- Mythological stories provide a lens to examine human nature and ethical dilemmas.
- Becoming a 'monster' symbolizes embracing ruthlessness to protect loved ones.
- Survival and reunion with family are powerful motivators that justify difficult choices.
Summary
- The speaker questions how suffering and guilt have shaped their identity and relationships.
- They contemplate whether they themselves are the 'monster' responsible for pain and loss.
- Mythological references are used to explore themes of morality, guilt, and necessity.
- Examples include the cyclops, the witch turning men to pigs, gods punishing fleets, and the Trojan horse.
- The speaker wrestles with the idea of ruthlessness as a form of mercy and survival.
- They express a deep personal loss including friends, family, and comrades.
- The motivation to reunite with Penelope and Telemachus drives the speaker’s resolve.
- They accept becoming the 'monster' if it means protecting their people and ensuring their safe return.
- The narrative highlights the complexity of moral choices in dire circumstances.
- Ultimately, the speaker embraces the role of the monster as a necessary evil for survival.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
How did suffering become so endless?
Speaker A
How am I to reunite with my estranged, do I need to change?
Speaker A
I'm surrounded by the souls of those I've lost.
Speaker A
I'm the only one whose line I haven't crossed.
Speaker A
What if the greatest threat we'll find across the sea is me?
Speaker A
What if I'm the monster, what if I'm in the wrong?
Speaker A
What if I'm the problem that's been hiding all along, what if I'm the one who killed you?
Speaker A
Every time I gave to guilt, what if I've been far too kind to those who are a monster to ourselves?
Speaker A
What if I'm the monster?
Speaker A
Is the cyclops struck with guilt when he kills, is he up in the middle of the night or does he end my men to avenge his friend and then sleep knowing he has done him right?
Speaker A
When the witch turns men to pigs to protect her nymphs, is she going insane or did she learn to be colder when she got older and now she saves them the pain?
Speaker A
When a god comes down and makes a fleet drown, is he scared that he's doing something wrong or does he keep us in check so we must respect him and now no one dares to piss him off?
Speaker A
Does a soldier use a wooden horse to kill sleeping Trojans because he is vile or does he throw away his remorse and save more lives with gall if I became the monster?
Speaker A
And threw that guilt away.
Speaker A
Would that make us stronger, would it keep our foes at bay?
Speaker A
If I became the monster to everyone but us and made sure we got home again, who would care if we're unjust if I became the monster?
Speaker A
Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves and deep down I know this well.
Speaker A
I lost my best friend, I lost my mentor, my mom, 500 men gone, this can't go on, I must get to see Penelope and Telemachus.
Speaker A
So if we must sail through dangerous oceans and beaches, I'll go where Poseidon won't reach us and if I got to drop another infant from a wall in an instant so we all don't die.
Speaker A
Then I'll become the monster, I will deal the blow and I'll become the monster like none they've ever known.
Speaker A
So what if I'm the monster lurking deep below, I must become the monster and then we'll make it home.
Speaker A
Monster, Penelope.
Speaker A
Monster, Telemachus.
Speaker A
Monster, ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves, I'll become the monster.
Topics:monsterguiltidentitymythologymoralitysurvivalruthlessnessPenelopeTelemachusJorge Rivera-Herrans
