Revenge is an emotion and a desire that demands justice. It is not learned or attained by outside influences. By examining the biblical story of Cain, who killed his brother out of envy, it is feasible to say that Cain did not learn the act of revenge from anybody else. It was fostered and concocted by his own mind. No one showed it to him nor taught him of it. In describing his experiences with revenge Alexander Theroux said, "my immediate thought was a simple and uncomplicated one: I wanted to kill her" (280). This shows that revenge is an instinctive characteristic that has the ability to develop whenever a threatening situation arises. Theroux gives this description in his essay title "Revenge":

"It is an emotion, discounting mercy, neat to the taste and born of a separate need to rectify a wrong by inflicting harm in return for an injury, a slight, or an insult and to exact satisfaction for

that which, at least in the sufferer's eye, blind and stupid fate not only has allowed but in a way has cruelly fostered" (281).

olling there is no way to stop it. His freedom lies within his revenge.

death with the whale (286). "Revenge is fed by the law of balance, equality, and a mania for justice that, even if it turns on itself, must be satisfied" (290). The avenger is married to his ideals. Quite often this leads him into danger as in the example of Captain Ahab. Along with revenge comes a calm willingness to slay the self in the attempt to free it. The avenger becomes blind to his safety. Quite often the government steps in to put a handle on vengeful or criminal acts in order to protect the individual.

of revenge, it being self-enveloping and condemning, the avenger should be treated as a mental patient rather than a criminal. Revenge is often linked with alcoholism and indirect aggressions towards oneself or others. This may even be said of impotence and frigidity that involve a subconscious impulse to thwart (289). The sufferer's moral values are enslaved and become revenges servants. He needs to beware himself. He will bring on his own destruction.

Environment and upbringing weigh greatly on a persons ability to control their vengefulness. Additionally, the extremity of the injury a person may receive will also dictate how h

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Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)