A person’s identity is something that is comprised of the characteristics that define an individual: who they are, how they are viewed by others, their qualities and beliefs, and what differentiates them from other people. One’s identity is shaped by the decisions they make; the choices they make represents their ipseity. The Shakespearean play, The Tempest, demonstrates how one’s spiteful mentality and pessimistic beliefs defines the abhorrent mindset of the main antagonist, Sebastian.
Sebastian develops a sense of hate against his own brother, king Alonso, and the negative influence from Antonio provoked the spiteful and bitter demeanor that resided in Sebastian. The major motion picture, Maleficent, directed by Robert Stromberg, displays the pessimistic mentality of the main protagonist, Maleficent. Maleficent makes many cruel and acrimonious decisions that are solely based on her adverse past, and those decisions delineated how arbitrary her mentality was.
The protagonist, Louis Zamperini, from the world-renowned novel, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, demonstrates how his immature and rebellious behaviour as a child contributed to displaying his deceitful demeanor, that resided in him for a large portion of his life, but in later years made him mentally stronger. The decisions that one makes throughout the course of their life largely defines one’s identity, who they are as an individual and their moral code.
One’s decisions may provoke powerful emotions or actions in a good or bad way, but every decision delineates the mentality and judgement of the one who is making their adjudication because it represents the reason behind the decision that was made. Through the actions one takes, the people whom one affiliates with, and the what one chooses to advocate on are what define a person’s core values and their unique character. Primitively, the actions that are taken by an individual on a day-to-day basis largely represents their values and the fundamental principles of conduct that they are accustomed to.
Maleficent and Louis Zamperini were both deceitful and rebellious people who deemed to display atrocious behavior, which clearly represented their unscrupulous attitude. Fundamentally, Maleficent became so consumed in revenge and hate that she committed heinous acts of torture upon her former tormentor, Stefan; it depicted the bitter mentality that Maleficent had developed. “I like you begging. Do it again. ” (Stromberg, Maleficent)
Maleficent had cast a horrid pell of eternal sleep upon Stefan’s daughter Aurora, and it proved that Maleficent did not have a sense of forgiveness in her heart due to the prominent fact that she rejected the apology that Stefan was offering. Furthermore, Louis Zamperini was very disingenuous with the way that he behaved among his family members and community during the early stages of his life. “At five, he started smoking, picking up discarded cigarette butts while walking to kindergarten. He began drinking one night when he was eight; he hid under the dinner table, snatched glasses of wine, drank them all dry, staggered outside, and fell into a rosebush. (Hillenbrand 5)
Therefore, one displays the morals and codes of conduct that they are accustomed to with the everyday acts that they commit. Additionally, the people whom one chooses to associate with represents one’s values and what external influences determine their character. Louis Zamperini and Sebastian’s attitude and beliefs were provoked by the others whom they affiliated with and it represented what characteristics both of them held within. Primarily, Sebastian made the decision to associate with Antonio and it evoked the contradictory beliefs that were within Sebastian. “I am more serious than my custom.
You must be so too if heed me, which to do trebles thee o’er. ” (II. i. 185-187) Sebastian developed the urge to murder his own brother because of his initial decision to accompany Antonio and that displayed how disloyal and rebellious Sebastian truly was. Moreover, during the timeframe of the holocaust, Louis Zamperini faced excruciating pain and torture from the captors who had held him captive in Japan, but the other American captives were able to sustain his mental stability. “Though all three men faced the same hardship, their differing perceptions of it appeared to be shaping their fates.
Louie and Phil’s hope displaced their fear and inspired them to work toward their survival, and each success renewed their physical and emotional vigor. ” (Hillenbrand 155) Louis Zamperini and his companion Phil were able to help each other restore the prosperity and strength that resided in both of them, and it truly portrayed the motivational strength that persisted in both of them. Conclusively, the decision of affiliating with the people of one’s choosing largely reflects the integrity of one’s character because often people associate with people who have the same means as them, so it is a reflection of what morals one stays true to.