Cannibals

Lindsey Meredith

Cline

English 102

October 29, 2011

Not your traditional Monster

            When we think of monsters we think of all the ordinary mythical creatures. We think of Zombies, Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, and so on. But the one monster that could be the most devastating and scariest of all is one that truly exist and that is so fearful, little stories and movies are made up with them. The terrifying thought of this creature being real in actual life is overwhelming. This monster does not necessarily show a hideous form or an eerie personality, he could be cordial, good looking, and intellectual. This monster that I speak of goes by the name of Hannibal Lector: or so well known as “Hannibal the Cannibal”. Cannibals take the interest in eating people. What an unimaginable thought this is. They will kill their victim and then dismember and dissect the part of the body they so feel fit to enjoy. Hannibal enjoys preparing his meals that consist of human flesh and organs. He has no remorse for the actions he takes on his victims. He has a very calm demeanor that would make you think he is the last person who could commit such heinous acts.  Hannibal has many attributing personality features.  He is a man with high-class taste and articulate style. He has a nitch for puzzles and likes to toy with others minds. He is a M.D., a psychiatrist whose first victim was one of his very own patients. But Hannibal has a soft side as well. He grows to have an infatuation with FBI agent Clarisse Starling. He is intrigued with her curiosity about him and her eager will to want to solve his puzzles. Now Hannibal is not your ordinary cannibal. He chooses to eat the rude ones in life and thinks of it as a service he is contributing to. “He once told me that whenever feasible he preferred to eat the rude…”  (Scott). Hannibal has pleasure on what he does and he finds delight in eating the human race. Hannibal makes cannibalism seem to somehow have a sexual vibe to it. The way that he gets off and takes pleasure in his act is unusual. He wont just murder to murder, he always has a purpose for doing what he does. He gets rid of the rude and the ones that choose to jeopardize his freedom, and on occasion the sick twisted criminals that he finds fascinating. Hannibal loves havening the ability to psychologically alter ones state of mind in a grotesque way. His eating people, also signifies a defense in which he takes to eliminate the rude the ones that threaten the one he cares for so dearly. He seems to exercise cannibalism as a sense of protection, pleasure, and defense.

            Hannibal’s unappealing appetite is a dreadful conflict with his relationship he has with Clarisse. Although she is civil to Hannibal, she continually jeopardizes his freedom and at one time she lies to him. This usually leads for a devastating death and being eaten, but this is not the case for young charming Clarisse. Yet for some reason he is captivated by her and shows her an odd love. “Tell me Clarisse, would you ever say to me stop, if you loved me you’d stop.” (Scott) He thinks of her daily and writes to her in the way a lover would. Hannibal enjoys sharing his puzzles with her and hopes for her to solve them. And when Clarisse is always coming to the rescue of Hannibal what else should he think. His soft demeanor comes out when he speaks to her and interacts with her. He shows no means of ever wanting to harm her or eat her for that matter. Hannibal goes as far as protecting her, in his own demented way. Hannibal keeps watch of her and knows the embarrassments in her work. He does what he can to harm the ones who harm her. Hannibal’s actions and personality towards her is charming and oh so contradicting to his real person. He shows the ideal characteristics of what we would all wish the population to have. The charm, manners, articulation, respect, and intelligence: that we all wish to see in our world. He is a man with great disguise of what he truly is and never compromises his identity, unless in the concession for Clarisse. He is a man of great weariness, he does not allow him self to get to close to any one person.  Although, Clarisse is a point of interest for him his attitude and willingness is what keeps him connected to her. He enjoys learning about her and getting inside her mind and emotions. Clarisse must share personal stories and occurrences with Hannibal and only then will he continue to help her and feed her need for success.

            The defense strategy Hannibal has in cannibalism plays a large role as well. When he is imprisoned he attacks guards, staff, and nurses. He victimized those who hold him from his freedom. Such as agent Pozzi, who tries to capture Hannibal to receive a handsome reward for the arrest of him. When he fails at his attempt he is hung from the palace and gutted for the town to see. “Arrivederci, Commendatore.” (Harris)  And when his escapes, when he returns back into the life as a civilian, he reeks havoc on those who question his motives and try to place him in the category of a suspect, all the while it truly being Hannibal. He despises the thought that someone has figured out that he is the one committing the atrocious crimes against his fellow race. But yet he is amused that someone has given in to the puzzles and figured them out, placing the blame on him.  He is very particular as to whom he feels deserves to die and who shall deserve to live. A great deal of that stems with who is cordial to him and who treats him with no respect whether in civilian life or while being incarcerated. He seems to look at cannibalism as an excuse. The excuse to eat people and cause harm to them is to him defending himself from others. In his defense strategies he uses his puzzles to get inside his victims minds. He lures them with complex questions and the inquisitiveness to want to solve them. When the victims get to close or start to figure out his true person that is when Hannibal strikes but only after the conclusion has been made and solved.

            The pleasure and the odd way that Hannibal finds satisfaction in these acts are so very disturbing. When having company over for dinner, he enjoys watching his guest enjoy the meal he has prepared of human flesh. He takes in the enjoyment is their curiosity of what might such a delicious dish consist of. He holds such pride in his work and the secrecy in it. When Hannibal is a free man dining on his victims he take pleasure in listening to the relaxing sound of his classical music.  Even seen in reviews the vague idea of the need for disruption is a pleasure.  “Lector is hungry for diversions, and Thomas Harris, author of the book on which the screenplay is based, is ready to supply them.” (Wadsworth).

            The need to protect Clarisse is imperative to Hannibal. “a fabulist tale, about monsters in dark places still looking-inasmuch as they are capable-for justice.” (West) He wishes for her to succeed in her work and in her explorations. He also is aware that Clarisse cannot fathom the thought of not thinking about him, which keeps him continually interested. Hannibal keeps a close eye on Clarisse at all times. He goes to the very risky extent of traveling just to watch Clarisse run. He writes to her on occasion to let her know he is all right or that he is ready to come out of hiding. When protection is needed or Clarisse, in the opinion of Hannibal, he makes it quite a performance so to get his point across. When he saves Clarisse from Hannibal’s failed demise she is prepared a meal that consist of brain. The brain of fellow agent Krendler: who had tried to ruin the career of Starling.  He protects her from the man-eating pigs that he was supposed to be fed to by Mason the only victim of Hannibal’s to survive. Hannibal goes to great lengths just to protect Clarisse, getting nothing in return from her. 

            In closing, we have found a horrific monster. Monsters that so few of us wish to even conceive. A monster, that lives among us. Hannibal the Cannibal has brought to the table the ingredients that make him tick and do what he does. The protection of his love: that he longs for, defense of himself, and the thinning out of the rude in the world. He is doing himself and the public a favor. He does not go of meaningless killing sprees, he has much thought and meaning to his doings. He cannot help his taste for disaster, he must satisfy it. And for Hannibal being able to justify what he does gives him peace of mind. Hannibal is not our mindless incompetent killer, and thus this is why he is so greatly feared. His ability to get inside your head is the first step for disaster; once you have willingly given to his unreasonable puzzles he has you right where he wants you. Hannibal is the one you go to for answers and help and in return you become his finely prepared mean. Too much curiosity could be the end of your life once placed in the grasp of Hannibal. Although he does like the cat and mouse game as well, this is why death is not instant for his victims. The chase is half the fun for Hannibal. Another one of his charming personality traits: of which he carries. Hannibal will stop at nothing to fulfill his guilty pleasures. So the next time you think of monsters and get the chills from their hideous form or ghostly spells remind yourself of what truly lurks in our world. Take caution in whom you meet, for you could be their next meal.

Works Cited

Lector, Hannibal, Perf. Hannibal. Dir.
      Ridley Scott. 2001. Film.

Harris, Thomas. Hannibal. Dell, 2001.
     Print.

Harris, Thomas. The Silence Of The 
    Lambs. St. Martin's Griffin, 2000.
    Print. 

Wadsworth, Lois. "Lector's

     World:new horrors from the

     carnival sideshow;Hannibal."

     Eugene Weekly 02/15/2001. n. pag.

     ProQuest. Database. 3 Nov 2011.

West, Michelle.

     "Hannibal/Cryptonomicon."

      Fantasy & Science Fiction

      02/02/2000. n. pag. ProQuest.

     Database. 3 Nov 2011.