Janus,
the two-faced Roman god of doorways and gates, presided over beginnings
and endings. Able to see into the past and the future, he lent his name
to the first month of our year, a time of transition when we
contemplate where we have been and where we are going.
Curiously
enough, he also presided over the fundamental transitions and dualities
of human existence, over that which is natural and that which is
cultured, over the primitive and the civilized. Over, one might say, the
dilemma of following one’s instincts and following one’s ethics. Should
we strive to perfect or to accept our natures? Which is more authentic?
Can they be the same? And so, in this context, as we begin our studies,
let us contemplate these two Edwards, Weyland and Cullen. In the case
of a vampire, is it noble or foolish to adopt the perspective of a
species seemingly designed as one's sustenance?
For
Edward Weyland, his human appearance and anatomy is biological
camouflage, the mimicry of a predator perfectly adapted to stalk and
lure his prey. He contemplates humans as a tiger might regard a gazelle
or wild pig by the stream. They are food. He is true to his nature,
comfortable in his position at the top of the food chain. But there is a
cost. The humans he hunts are the creatures nearest in nature to
himself, and, to the best of his knowledge, he is the only one of his
kind. Psychologically speaking, Weyland has perfect integrity. And yet
he is subject to a degree of isolation and ennui incalculable to the
humans he encounters.
Edward
Cullen, on the other hand, is one of a new breed of vampire. Human once
himself, in love with a mortal maid, he sympathizes with his natural
quarry. He has subjugated his thirst for human blood and subsists
instead on animal blood, rejecting the aspect of his nature that is
monstrous by human standards. In a way, he both resists and represents
change, clinging to his past nature while striving to shape his new.
In
short, Edward Cullen's concept of “playing with his food” is
diametrically opposed to Edward Weyland's, who once remarked in a
theoretical discussion of vampirism,“You are mixing up dinner with sex,
and not, I gather, for the first time.”
I think both of these Edwards, although different in nature and intentions among other humans, still must go through great trials to make sure they are not discovered as a vampire or being different. For Weyland and Cullen, revealing their true natures would be detrimental to both themselves and the humans around them.
ReplyDeleteI think we should all STRIVE to be perfect rather than be accepting of our natures as we are already. If you strive to be perfect, you set common goals to reach. If you are accepting of your nature then you have no further ambition to be greater. Out of the two Edward vampires, Edward Cullen is more true to his nature. Even though his common nature is to hunt humans, he chooses not to to make a change for the better reputation to his original nature. Edward Weyland is somewhat turning his back and being harmful to his nature by hunting those of similar characteristics.
ReplyDeleteI already posted this in the area under upcoming events for the assignment, but since I am not sure if that's the correct spot, I'll post my response here as well:
ReplyDeleteRegarding whether it is noble or foolish for a vampire to adopt a human perspective, I think that it is foolish if the adoption of the perspective serves as an attempt for the vampire to distance himself from his nature, as in the case of Edward Cullen, who has allowed himself to develop affection for a member of a species that is traditionally a primary source of prey for vampires and a species to which he no longer belongs. Whereas Edward Weyland a wolf in sheep's clothing, so to speak, Cullen is a wolf with a desperate desire to become a sheep (or rather, to become the sheep he used to be), repressing his primal urges in pursuit of a finite relationship despite no longer having a finite existence. While Cullen is able to avoid the isolation and ennui Weyland experiences, this avoidance can only be short-lived, and I am not sure Weyland would consider being without isolation and ennui for any length of time if it meant repressing who he is.
I believe that we should strive to accept our nature, but at the same time, perfect it. We should change who we are because society doesn't like us. We should be who we are and nothing else. At the same time, we should strive to achieve perfection in who we are by being the best person (or vampire) that we can be.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if one strives to stay true to their nature they can become the pinnacle of perfection for their species. Pertaining to the subject of vampires I do believe they should think of people as food instead of companion because regardless of how close in nature humanity is to a vampire they still are lower on the food chain. As for blending in with human society I feel like it should only be done for survival purposes.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the way people are and how they react under certain pressures is solely circumstantial. People react differently not only because they have different view points but also from what they have gone through and experienced in their own life. I find it totally understandable that Weyland relied more on instinct because to the best of his knowledge(and mines) he is the only one of his kind. He has no one to tell him what is ethical or not ; he drinks human blood because that is what diminishes his thirst. Cullen on the other hand was once human, so he is able to reason more within himself about drinking human blood. Plus, he has guidance from other vampires.
ReplyDeleteWhile weyland did not have a society to pressure him, Cullen did. Having to meet societies standards and expectations only pushed the Cullen family to have more solid ethical values. Reguarding whether or not it is noble or foolish to adopt your preys perspective, I would have to say that it all depends. Your environment and experience help dictate your viewpoints on life. If you have to do what you have to do to survive by all means do it; I find that to be noble. If you want to coincide with your prey, do that as well; that to, is noble. With every decision made there are always repercussions. so regardless of whether it is noble or foolish is irrelevant.
Striving to perfect our "nature" has long since been a common goal for mankind. It helps each human (or mythical creature) to interact best with its environment and those who also inhabit it. However, many realize that this perfection will never be complete and have learned to accept the level of perfection they already acquired. Likewise, some blame their inability to achieve perfection on others and accept their imperfections.
ReplyDeleteTo apply this to the Edwards, Cullen blames his imperfections on someone else and attempts to return to his former self by feeding on animals and loving a human. Weyland is the opposite and strives to be the perfect hunter, strives to put effort into his skillful and devious attacks.
Whether to strive for perfection or to accept your level of imperfection depends on the situation and perspective, preference almost.
As a believer that everyone is cut from the same cloth, I tend to think that we should develop our natures. As we age, we experience different stimuli. Some can chose to stay oblivious by accepting their being, others can grow and improve their personal being. Authenticity is something you bring to interaction with others, you can accept your nature and continue being an actor. We evolve our nature only after the fact that we have accepted who we are, one must realize his or her lowest weaknesses before taking action to fix them, otherwise there is no catharsis.
ReplyDeleteI feel that we should embrace ourselves for who we are. We must acknowledge that we are flawed and only then may we find true peace in ourselves. To perfect ourselves is to distort ourselves into a creature we no longer recognize. Like a mask it is merely there to appease the society in which we live in. In time we will have to change our mask into some creature that can coexist with the people we mingle with from day to day. Ever-changing, the visage of perfection is that which society finds acceptable only in that day and age.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, the authenticity of it all resides in the mind. To stay true to ourselves is to stay in tune with reality. So the authenticity of the two shall have to rest in the one where we stay true to ourselves. When we accept our true nature, we become one with the world and in turn we rest peacefully in the world that we may only have the liberty of calling our dwelling area. The world has laws that we must obey, and by staying true to our nature we open our entire being to the world. Almost like a newborn, our soul must be of the purest intent to even make a dent in the essence of the Earth. The more we change, the cloudier our essence becomes and the more distorted our image of the Earth appears to us until it is nothing more than sludge. When we change, even if for the better, we are no longer authentic, we are no longer ourselves.
In a way, these two polar opposites may actually be the same. Where one is running to the next trend and the other is merely content in the atmosphere it resides in, over time the two will switch. One day changing will be content and stay where it is while our nature will run to catch up to what we are now. We mature over time and in that lies change, the one thing we try to never do. We cannot control our minds for our minds are forever changing. So in turn perfection and imperfection rotates in a cycle that will never be satisfied for it is the everlasting torture of a society that cannot be satisfied.
These two Edwards seem to be the epitome of a Yin and Yang. While one strangles his entire being to fit into a puppet of society the other howls free like the wolf and plunges into his role of a hunter with the glee of a bright eyed child. Yet, as we look at the two, we admire the first for being in unrelenting torture to appease us while we stare in disgust and hatred for the one that is simply doing as nature told him to do. To society, the answer would be simple. To change yourself for the better is the answer for we as the people find it suitable to do so. Yet in the brambles of nonconformity we find the answer in ourselves, for to adopt the perspective of another is to try to change. Though seen as selfish it is merely our soul being our soul. We should accept the reality of our nature without a fight.
Perfection can come as an obsession to people, but their nature will eventually catch up with them. Both Edward Weyland and Cullen seem to have accepted their natures but have chosen to carry their natures in different ways. Edward Cullen is certainly trying to a normal life but is held back by his vampiric nature. Cullen has placed his ethics over his nature in feeding off animals to settle his appetite. He still is accepting of his nature but believes that he can live a better life. Edward Weyland has taken a different way if handling his nature. Weyland is completely vampiric predator with his only human traits present in his appearance. The human characteristics of Edward Cullen most likely come from his former existence as a human. The main difference in these two is how they have chosen to deal with their nature.
ReplyDeleteThe question posed in the article, 'In Honor of Janus': "Should we strive to perfect or to accept our natures?" is an interesting question. Personally I believe that humans should all strive to perfect our natures. The example in the article of Edward Cullen is very accurate. He knows that what he was born as is a danger to others so he made it a effort to not hurt others as well as satisfy his needs. So I believe that if you have a fault in your nature, make an effort to try to remove that fault and turn it into an positive.
ReplyDeleteI think to perfect ones nature, one must first be accepting of that nature. If you do not accept your own nature you will not strive to perfect it, but rather resist it. Cullen is not accepting to his nature and doesn't perfect his skills, where as Weyland accepts what his is and strives to be the perfect.
ReplyDeleteBoth of them are trying to hid their identities but it is the way that they do it is what separates them. Both of them have a human characteristics but Weyland has to hunt knowing that he is hunting what is his own reflection. Cullen being once human knows how the opposition works therefore not wanting to feast on human blood. Their natural urges have to be justified in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteWeyland seems, to me at least, to be what vampires should be. They hunt and do not get attached to humans. While Cullen is a "vegetarian", his views do help him live happier. Cullen is good at having a social life and Weyland is good at embracing who he is. Both seem to have found an important part of being a hunter of the night.
ReplyDeleteShould we strive to perfect or to accept our natures? Which is more authentic? Can they be the same? And so, in this context, as we begin our studies, let us contemplate these two Edwards, Weyland and Cullen. In the case of a vampire, is it noble or foolish to adopt the perspective of a species seemingly designed as one's sustenance?
ReplyDeleteI feel that everyone has a plan in life, and we should strive to be perfect in everything we do. However, we are not vampires. That is a whole new situation. I feel like vampires would have to accept their natures at some point. I mean, eternal life means living for a long time. It is hard to be perfect for that long. If we were to accept our natures, the human race would be one big mess. Just look at how people react during natural disasters. Imagine that all of the time. I feel like it is more authentic to strive to be perfect and to exceed our potential. Simply because it is more effective in the long run and will benefit those around us. They can very much so be the same. Say someone were to be stranded in the wild. Ones natural instinct will kick in, it is then you would want to perfect your natural instinct to survive. It would be very foolish to adopt the perspective of a vampire. One drop of blood could lead to your death
I feel that the both of them suffer slightly for their choices. The Cullen boy struggles to accept his destiny. He knows he is a vampire and must feed on the lives of others, but he chooses to struggle to regain one last scrap of human integrity by feeding on animals. The Cullen boy tries to perfect his cannibalistic nature by rejecting it and in turn trying to stay as human as possible, if not to only regain some bit of sanity.
ReplyDeleteThe Weyland boy is opposite though, he has turned completely primal. Though I feel he isn’t like a tiger is to a gazelle but instead a cannibal. He is not a different species or relatively unique to any human, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. As clever as he is though I feel that his decisions cost him his sanity. Unlike the Cullen, Weyland chose to merely accept his nature and let his human soul diminish into nothing.
In short I feel Weyland made the easy choice while Cullen made the harder one, though both suffered. My own opinion is one that would be a bit on Weyland’s side. I feel that we should accept who we are for it is destiny that led us there. If we choose to fight it though then I respect that. To raise your fist at fate and fight back is no easy feat but can be done. Though I feel trying to perfect ourselves is more genuine I find it slightly foolish. We should not fight what we were meant to be, it’s just not natural. If we let go and simply enjoy where we are then life can be made enjoyable. Though I know these words may come back to haunt me I find it easier to just let go and enjoy the ride.
These two things can never be mistaken as even closely relevant. They are Yin and Yang, two polar opposites. Lazy verses Determination, Acceptance verses Denial. They will never be the same, like day and night the two will never touch, never see each other, destined to only hear whispers of the other’s existence while they continue on with their lives, oblivious to their doppelganger.
Edward Weyland, I believe, is sort of the true definition of a vampire or a traditional vampire. He doesn't interact with humans because he wants to, he interacts with them because he is hiding among them wanting to fit in so he can stalk them and lure them in for a kill. He embraces who he is and is not ashamed to continue doing what he does best. Edward Cullen, on the other hand, I believe to be a little bit ashamed of who he really is. Since he was once human himself and is in love with a human girl, he knows how the humans live and how they really are and maybe sympathizes with or wishes he was one of them again. So instead of embracing himself as a vampire and feeding off of humans, he feeds off of animals instead, sparing the humans of their lives.
ReplyDelete