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Vengeance of a crime

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > Polti's Situations > Vengeance of a crime

Description | Discussion | See also

Previous: Deliverance

Next: Vengeance taken for kindred upon kindred

Description

Elements

• An Avenger
• A Criminal

Summary

The Avenger wreaks vengeance on the Criminal for past crimes.

Variants

A

1. The avenging of a slain parent or ancestor
2. The avenging of a slain child or descendant
3. Vengeance for a child dishonored
4. The avenging of a slain wife or husband
5. Vengeance for the dishonor or attempted dishonoring of a wife
6. vengeance for a mistress slain
7. Vengeance for a slain or injured friend
8. Vengeance for a sister seduced

B

1. Vengeance for intentional injury or spoliation
2. Vengeance for having been despoiled during absence
3. Revenge for a false accusation
4. Vengeance for violation
5. Vengeance for having been robbed of one's own
6. Vengeance on a whole sex for a deception by one

C

1. Professional pursuit of criminals

Discussion

Revenge is a common topic within our everyday lives, although the effect in terms of preventing recurrence of the crime is often negligible. 'Vengeance', even more than the very similar 'revenge' is done for the satisfaction of those who have been harmed in some way, and can be an act of great anger, sometimes arguably worse than the original crime.

Seeing vengeance in a story provides us with a vicarious release, allowing us to harmlessly channel our vengeful anger that might otherwise get us into trouble. Seeing the villain punished gives a sense of righteous satisfaction and confirmation that right will always be done.

'Vengeance of a crime' is the 3rd of Georges Polti's 36 Dramatic Situations.

See also

The effects of betrayal

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