#hannibal is so PATHETIC like his arc is so satisfying because he gets his ass and his heart absolutely whooped

[ghostdrinkssoup]

Hey I hope you don't mind a question. This is related to a snippet of the recent ask you posted:

also I think using “good” and “evil” to describe will isn’t helpful in an analytical context simply because the show goes out of its way to blur moral absolutes? he exists within the complicated grey, blurring with hannibal. again, much of the show is about deconstructing polarities, particularly the difference between humanity and monstrosity

I wanted to push back on the idea that there aren't moral absolutes in Hannibal and see if I could get any more thoughts.

It seems to me like Hannibal (character, not show) is presented as entirely, unquestionably evil. The show never gives him anything resembling a redemption arc, and only makes the vaguest allusions to a tragic backstory. He does some nice things, but nothing seems like a serious attempt to paint him as morally gray.

Even his love for Will is presented as obsessive, possessive, violent, and controlling, right up to 3b when he makes an earnest attempt to murder Will's family. He has no reason to believe Dolarhyde will fail.

Obviously there is no balancing force of absolute good, but I still feel like Hannibal (show, not character) is more about, like, the way Hannibal (character) warps the morality of everyone around him in an almost gravitational way.

hi !! and yeah of course, I’m always happy to throw ideas around and discuss the show with other people :D

it’s interesting, because as I was thinking about how I wanted to approach answering this ask (and word my thoughts) I found my answer was similar to the previous ask about will’s morality, but in reverse. it’s fitting since will and hannibal are “just alike” isn’t it? identically different, mirrors, the negative space of each other, etc. I’ll explain what I mean

like with the previous ask, I think my interpretation of hannibal stems from 1) the nature of his character progression (and the role of the person suit) 2) his worldview as shown/set up in the show’s first season and 3) his foil dynamic with will and how their romance changes him (or rather, changes his perception of himself). I agree that hannibal is an irredeemable character and I love that the show never tries to redeem him or paint his violent, atrocious behaviour as “misunderstood”. I don’t think we’re supposed to think hannibal is good, or that he was right in any capacity, however, I do think the “absolute evil” we’re presented with is an aspect of his person suit, and that hannibal isn’t irredeemable because he’s an inhuman monster, but because he’s a horrible human being

to me, hannibal’s character is defined by a want for absolute control and dominance over others as a response to losing his sister and being stripped of all power and autonomy. as such, both the cannibalism and the “shattering teacup” are metaphors for his desire for control. he tries to recreate a family for himself and “reverse time” in order to hide from his own limitations and, as ridiculous as it sounds, mortality. he’s incredibly selfish, has a god complex, and absolutely delights in the idea that he is above humanity. this idea empowers him. we see this in s1 when he smirks after bedelia calls the person suit a “human veil”, like he’s pleased she sees him this way. because if he’s the devil pulling the strings then he’s not weak; if he consumes those who cross him then he must be superior; if he’s never attached then he can never lose anything or anyone. he is free from the human condition, and being perceived as “evil” fulfils this purpose perfectly

his romance with will completely shatters this illusion. the reason will still doesn’t understand hannibal in the s1 finale (when he realises hannibal is a serial killer) is because the “ripper” persona is another mask. it’s theatre, which means it’s performative. in s2 will’s person suit begins to mirror hannibal’s, the two of them becoming the “evil” versions of themselves, however, in mizumono this idea is completely deconstructed too, not because hannibal is suddenly a good person, but because by becoming attached to will, and being successfully manipulated by him, he finally loses control. he’s no longer the all-seeing god pulling the strings. not only that, but his love for will is not something he can control. ironically, the ripper has been ripped open, and his humanity is exposed as the ugly, bleeding wound it is (metaphorically, of course)

in s3 we learn the point of hannibal’s arc is to see the deconstruction of his person suit, like how will recreates the crime scenes to see the human underneath the killers he analyses. again, not to apologise for them, but to see them. hannibal is absolutely humiliated as punishment for his arrogance, and that untouchable monster we’re introduced to is exposed as the pathetic toddler he is in reality. he’s no longer in control, and never has been. hannibal wishes he was above humanity, he wishes he was absolutely evil and sitting on the devil’s throne, but he’s not. in fact, in s1 he’s just as desperate to hide from his “humanity” as will is to hide from his “monster”. still, they only realise the truth of themselves when these concepts begin to blur and merge together

on that note, I think something the show goes out of its way to challenge is the notion that humanity (and love) is synonymous with goodness. it would be easier to distinguish people as either good or evil (humans or monsters) because either persona is palatable and tolerable in a society that has certain expectations and roles we’re meant to follow. the person suit itself is a metaphor for conformity, but the show also suggests that the suit (or “mask”) is a prison in of itself, and that there is no freedom in constructing a false version of yourself to present to the world, no matter how terrible the human inside is. it’s why hannibal gives himself up in s3, and why his arc is complete when he relinquishes control and lets will pull him off the cliff in twotl, because he realises he’ll never be free if he’s never understood, accepted, and forgiven for his grotesque humanity. no one else in the world can do it (because he’s fucking awful) but will can, because he’s the same