The Meaning Of The Joker's Killing Joke
My friends are convinced that I’m insane. Most of them subscribe to a philosopher, visionary, or movement. I happen to subscribe to a comic book villain: specifically, the Joker. Apart from making me a topic of intrigue, it doesn’t often earn me many listeners. Now that you are somewhat bound to the task of reading this essay, I’ll try my luck.
The Joker is known for his makeup, his charming smile, dapper clothing, and endearing behavior. I should also probably mention that he has a preference for knives, anarchic explosions, and terrible jokes. Yet, in the face of decades of whacky sound effects, variable acting ability, and an ever-expanding franchise, the Joker’s message has been lost.
The Joker’s Killing Joke stems from the heart of …show more content…
This proclamation, for obvious reasons, is off-putting to many. To challenge the significance of one’s life is not a physical, but a moral and existential challenge. Chief among those peeved is the Batman, who represents the pinnacle of human capability. Batman’s prime rule to not kill, is pushed to the limit, especially in the face of a monster like the Joker. Batman does not give up this rule at any cost, and gains the respect of the Joker. According to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, men are whimsical with their values, ready to drop them in the face of danger and death, much like the Joker says. However, according to Nietzsche, the way to grow above this nature, to become an übermensch (a superhuman, of sorts) is to pick your values and stick to them no matter the cost. This very stubbornness is seen in both the Joker and the Batman. The Joker sees another übermensch, in the Batman, in contrast to everyone else.
Now, here’s the truly terrifying part. The Joker is eccentric and fun to watch, but he is demonized, and is the master of several unimaginably cruel plots. But, why is he so popular? We are often attracted to someone we aspire to be, or something we can relate to consciously or subconsciously. As the vast majority of us condemn the actions of the Joker, it is highly unlikely that they aspire to be like him. Is it because we agree with the Joker subconsciously? Do
The Joker is known for his makeup, his charming smile, dapper clothing, and endearing behavior. I should also probably mention that he has a preference for knives, anarchic explosions, and terrible jokes. Yet, in the face of decades of whacky sound effects, variable acting ability, and an ever-expanding franchise, the Joker’s message has been lost.
The Joker’s Killing Joke stems from the heart of …show more content…
This proclamation, for obvious reasons, is off-putting to many. To challenge the significance of one’s life is not a physical, but a moral and existential challenge. Chief among those peeved is the Batman, who represents the pinnacle of human capability. Batman’s prime rule to not kill, is pushed to the limit, especially in the face of a monster like the Joker. Batman does not give up this rule at any cost, and gains the respect of the Joker. According to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, men are whimsical with their values, ready to drop them in the face of danger and death, much like the Joker says. However, according to Nietzsche, the way to grow above this nature, to become an übermensch (a superhuman, of sorts) is to pick your values and stick to them no matter the cost. This very stubbornness is seen in both the Joker and the Batman. The Joker sees another übermensch, in the Batman, in contrast to everyone else.
Now, here’s the truly terrifying part. The Joker is eccentric and fun to watch, but he is demonized, and is the master of several unimaginably cruel plots. But, why is he so popular? We are often attracted to someone we aspire to be, or something we can relate to consciously or subconsciously. As the vast majority of us condemn the actions of the Joker, it is highly unlikely that they aspire to be like him. Is it because we agree with the Joker subconsciously? Do