Honor's Paradox

[rolanni]

If you honorably serve a dishonored master, is your personal honor unsullied?

Discuss, with examples.


ETA: Lotsa people ducking the question here. Interesting.

Comments

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

That would depend on why the master was dishonored.

Batman is widely regarded as a vigilante, a thug, dangerously insane, and no better than the criminals he brings in. He may be respected, but he is not considered to be honorable because his tactics are brutal. He may catch the bad guy, but he does damage along the way and has never been shown in any attempt to repair or pay for that damage (I'm thinking property damage here, cars and buildings destroyed, that kind of thing).

Alfred, though not known to serve Batman, does so completely and as enthusiastically as his professional demeanor will allow. He helps build Batman's devices, he tends Batman's wounds.

He serves Bruce Wayne calmly and well and with great loyalty and affection, to the point of giving an honest opinion when Bruce needs to hear it.

Alfred has great honor, in my opinion. He also has a great deal of professional pride and skill.

And the first time I read your question, I read "dishonorable master" rather than "dishonored master."