Good versus evil in literature
The theme of good versus evil is a central and universal motif in literature, often depicted through various narratives that embody this conflict. This theme can manifest overtly, such as in epic battles between heroes and villains, or subtly, as seen in the internal struggles of characters grappling with their moral choices. Throughout history, literary works have explored these concepts, often intertwining them with religious and philosophical themes. The definitions of good and evil can be complex and subjective, varying significantly across cultures and contexts.
Prominent examples include biblical stories like Genesis, where the choices of humans lead to their fall from grace, and ancient texts like the *Epic of Gilgamesh*, where a king's transformation from tyranny to benevolence illustrates personal growth and redemption. The tales of King Arthur highlight both noble aspirations and the darker aspects of human nature, while Robert Louis Stevenson's *Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* captures the internal conflict between good and evil within one individual. Authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling further exemplify this theme, creating rich worlds where the battle of good against evil is fought on grand scales, often symbolized through light and darkness. These narratives not only entertain but also provoke deeper reflections on morality and human nature.
Good versus evil in literature
The concept of good vs. evil is perhaps the most universal theme found in literature. The conflict can be overt, such as in a fantasy tale in which the forces of good wage war against the forces of evil, or more subtle, such as the inner struggle between an individual’s dual nature. The idea of good vs. evil can be found in the earliest literary works, which are typically intertwined with religious themes as well. In these cases, a god or gods act as a source of good, while another entity tries to undermine their divine efforts. In later works, the sources of good and evil are typically opposites and may touch on elements of war vs. peace, light vs. dark, order vs. chaos, love vs. hate, and many other dualities.
Background
While the theme of good vs. evil is common in literature, defining the concepts of what is good and what is evil has proven difficult. In general, good is defined as something morally correct, while evil is defined as immoral or wicked. However, some philosophers dismiss these simple definitions, arguing that good and evil are subjective concepts. For example, the residents of a war-torn city may view an invading army as evil, while the army may see themselves as doing good and liberating the city from its “evil” occupiers.
In philosophical terms, evil has been defined in several ways. One of the most common is in the context of a cosmic battle between primordial divine forces, such as a good creator god and an evil antagonistic being. This concept is at the heart of many religions. Other views on evil include the idea that an evil act must be considered undisputably wrong by social standards, or that humans are by nature both good and evil, and evil acts are a moral choice.
Some definitions of evil divide it into two categories. A natural evil is one that has no conscious intent behind it; it is simply part of nature. A moral evil is one in which there is intent to do harm or perform a harmful act. For example, a tornado may kill a dozen people, but there is no intent to harm in the winds of a tornado. However, if a person murders a dozen people, their actions are considered to be unmistakably evil.
Overview
One of the primary examples of good vs. evil in literature comes from the book of Genesis, found in both the Hebrew and Christian bibles. God is considered the ultimate good, the creator of the universe, and the source of all life. Evil comes into the world because of the choices made by humans who turn away and disobey God’s will. For example, God may have sent a great flood to destroy the earth, but his actions are not considered evil. Instead, the flood came as the result of the evil actions of humans who openly disobeyed God.
Genesis also touches on the primordial battle of good vs. evil in the form of God’s command to Adam and Eve, the first people. God tells them they can eat any food in the Garden of Eden, but they cannot eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, a serpent, who is widely considered to be Satan, tempts Eve to eat from the tree. She does so and shares the fruit with Adam, causing an angry God to banish the pair from the garden. Although the tree’s name suggests that it provided Adam and Eve with knowledge of good and evil, biblical scholars hold that it actually symbolizes the human ability to make their own judgments apart from God. Adam and Eve’s choice to eat from the tree was a conscious moral decision to disobey God.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
The theme of good vs. evil also appears in the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest-known works of literature. Written about four thousand years ago, the story follows Gilgamesh, a Sumerian king who is introduced as an arrogant and oppressive ruler who performs acts that could be considered evil. He meets the wild man Enkidu, who represents the natural, uncivilized side of human nature. Gilgamesh and Enkidu form a friendship, through which Gilgamesh sees the error of his ways and transforms into a force for good. During the course of the tale, Gilgamesh and Enkidu battle several monsters that represent the chaotic forces of nature and the fickle whims of the gods. Gilgamesh’s transformation illustrates the idea of human choice in turning from evil to good, while his battles against the beasts represent the underlying conflict between order and chaos.
King Arthur
Stories of Britain’s legendary King Arthur grew from historical folktales into a series of novels over the course of the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries. Arthur, his court at Camelot, his sword Excalibur, and his brave Knights of the Round Table are all symbols of chivalry, noble intentions, and innate goodness. Arthur and his knights seek to be a force of good, battling injustice and righting the wrongs of his kingdom. However, Arthur’s rule also echoes of the dark side of human nature. Arthur is sometimes reckless and weak-minded, failing to notice that his wife, Guinevere, is having an affair with his most trusted knight, Lancelot. Arthur also has an affair with the sorceress Morgause, who was his half-sister, a fact that neither was aware of at the time. Their incestuous relationship produced a son, Mordred, who would go on to mortally wound Arthur in battle.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
In the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, an 1886 novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, Doctor Henry Jekyll creates a serum transforms him into Edward Hyde, an evil persona who allows Jekyll to engage in his vices without repercussions. The respected Dr. Jekyll is a seemingly upright citizen who represents the good found in humanity. The evil Hyde is his polar opposite, a man who acts on impulse and engages in his desires no matter what the cost.
Over the course of the story, Jekyll begins to lose control over his transformations into Hyde, blurring the lines between good and evil. Stevenson’s tale is meant to illustrate the presence of good and evil within each person and the struggle between the moral and immoral sides of human nature.
Tolkien’s works
Perhaps no literary works explore the concept of good vs. evil more than the collected novels of British author J. R. R. Tolkien. Tolkien created the vast mythology of Middle Earth, a land whose history was forged by the constant struggle of good vs. evil. In The Silmarillion, the supreme being, Eru Ilúvatar, creates the heavens and the earth through a song that fills the void with beauty. However, one of his servants, Melkor, introduces his own music to the song, which causes discord and scars Ilúvatar’s creation. Melkor eventually travels to Middle Earth, where he becomes the dark lord, Morgoth. Jealous of the beauty of Ilúvatar’s creations, Morgoth wages war on the people of Middle Earth, until he is defeated by the god-like Valar and imprisoned.
One of Morgoth’s servants, Sauron, takes up the evil legacy of his master and begins his own quest to cover the world in darkness. Sauron’s story is touched upon in The Hobbit and explored more fully in the three-volume The Lord of the Rings. Like Morgoth, Sauron is a creature of fundamental evil who wants nothing more than to dominate and destroy the beauty of the world. Sauron concentrates his power into a magical ring, which serves as a symbol of his evil. In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron’s ring and his evil are destroyed by two unassuming Hobbits, diminutive human-like creatures who represent the inherent goodness and simplicity found in nature.
In all his works, Tolkien uses symbols of light vs. darkness to represent the battle of good vs. evil. Evil monsters are cloaked in shadow, while the pure-hearted elves glow with the light of the stars. For example, in TheLord of the Rings, the Hobbit Sam must battle a giant spider that spews darkness. Among his weapons is a vial of starlight that damages the creature just as deeply as a sword.
Harry Potter
Similar to Tolkien’s works, J. K. Rowling’sHarry Potter series also explores themes of unambiguous good vs. evil. Harry Potter is a young orphan who discovers that he is a wizard and his parents were killed by an evil sorcerer named Voldemort. Over the course of seven novels, Harry grows into an accomplished magic-user and learns more about his family and role in Voldemort’s dark plan. Harry and his friends are portrayed as noble and good, while Voldemort and his allies are unapologetically evil.
The conflict of good vs. evil in Harry Potter is illustrated by the elements of life vs. death. Harry’s parents sacrifice themselves to save their son, while in the books’ climax, Harry sacrifices himself, albeit temporarily, to save his friends. Harry and his friends are also capable of showing compassion and love, while Voldemort and his allies were driven by hatred and a quest for power.
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