Moral and Ethical Vs Immoral and Unethical characters, or the Silk Worm Vs the Merchant

Rating: 10/10 (5 March 2007)

In The Republic, Plato puts the tale of the ring of Gyges in the mouth of Glaucon, who uses it to make the point that no man is so virtuous that he could resist the temptation of being able to steal at will by the ring's power of invisibility. In contemporary terms, Glaucon argues that morality is a social construction, whose source is the desire to maintain one's reputation for virtue and honesty; when that sanction is removed, moral character would evaporate.
What is the screenwriter trying to tell the audience other than another gruesome tale of human nature. The entertainment of the doctor, Hanibal Lecture, must be as equal to the thrills of the audience. Just as the good doctor hears the evils of man baptized by the oath of Hippocrates he is obligated by the oath to remain secret. At least until that oath can be legally dealt, and still due to personal intelligence the details not recorded are his duty to disclose.
Almost like a shield that mirrors his own reflection his conscience maintains his own character, but it consumes him. This reminds me of the scene from Superman II as well during the hour of judgment of the State criminals. Where they become imprisoned in a mirror for their crimes. Was it really three different criminals or just one with three personalities of a mute, military general, and women.
Just as the beginning of this analysis ancient myth of human nature could play on many aspects. Perhaps the reason for the use of the Deaths Head Moth being placed in the mouth. Or, based on history of film this could be the screen-writers reference to Der Fanger, 1966. A German movie that deals with a butterfly collector who develops a super-ego of power that deteriorates into a psychosis of mania where he begins to collect women.
Myths such as the emperors new cloths may play a significant role. Hence the use of women to make a new image that is respectable. The women are used to conceal the hidden emotions of the dual character of cross-gender nature. Thus the suspect makes a physical outer appearance as apparent as his illness inflicts is physical character.
Just as a garment is made from silk cloth at the expense of the moth the image of mentally ill must be at equal risk concerning human virtue. As the story is told and what is known about society and human virtue without both the individual is naked to the morals and ethics of the society. Thus as an analogous relationship just as the moth is destroyed for the sake of the merchant because of the separation of Buddist values and economic values the mentally ill individual destroys women when he truly separates from the moral and ethical obligations of society to promote his own individual image.
Actor Anthony Hopkins plays a fantastic role as the doctor. His practice at being cold and clever makes him seem the more distant. This is the exact opposite in his role as Ted Brautigan in Hearts in Atlantis. Anthony Hopkins recently became a US citizen from the United Kingdom. His duty to the UK military and theatrical skills have propelled him in his own career that is highly noted by his peers from around the globe. Good job Anthony Hopkins.