Necessity of sacrificing loved ones

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > Polti's Situations > Necessity of sacrificing loved ones

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

Elements

The Hero
The Beloved Victim
The Necessity for the sacrifice

Summary

The Hero is forced to sacrifice the Beloved Victim, based on the Necessity.

Variants

Necessity for sacrificing a daughter in the public interest
Duty of sacrificing a daughter in fulfilment of a vow to a god
Duty of sacrificing benefactors or loved ones to one's faith

Duty of sacrificing one's child, unknown to others, under the pressure of necessity
Duty of sacrificing, unknown to others, one's father, under the pressure of necessity
Duty of sacrificing, unknown to others, one's husband, under the pressure of necessity
Duty of sacrificing a son-in-law for the public good
Duty of sacrificing a son-in-law for the sake of reputation
Duty of contending with a brother-in-law for the public good
Duty of contending with a friend

Discussion

The traditional hero is typically driven by a sense of duty, and often to some higher principle even than their kin relationships. Whilst being horrified at the act, we nevertheless may feel a certain admiration for the hero for sticking to ideals even beyond family ties. The hero does not do this lightly and we feel the anguish of having to make such a decision.

Of course we also feel deep sympathy for the person sacrificed and hope that they understand the higher cause rather than simply feeling betrayed.

'Necessity of sacrificing loved ones' is the 23rd of Georges Polti's 36 Dramatic Situations.