When we think of lying thoughts of deceit, manipulation, and trickery usually creep into our minds. This is because as in most cases lying is wrong. Such is pointed out when Don Pedro concocts his plan to match Benedick and Beatrice by spreading lies never said by either of them about their supposed deep affection to each other. Don Pedro knowingly poses a rehearsed question concerning Beatrice's affection as the innocent bystander Benedick listens on as he says, "It were good that Benedick knew of it by some other / if she will not discover it" (II.3.7-8). Don Pedro has no right to say anything of the sort as he is being careless and putting the well being of two innocent people at stake while standing aside uninvolved in the actual outcome. Similar actions of lying are bad as well. Lying on your tax return to save money is the same as stealing from the government. Many unethical choices are usually woven into each other and can lead one to make more and more of them.
Lying exists in an appropriate form as well. At the masquerade Antonio playfully lies to Ursula as he denies to be himself when he answers her question by saying, "To tell you true, I counterfeit him" (II.1.93). This lie is only employed to enhance the general mood and does not risk harming anyone. Lying is also acceptable when it is deemed appropriate by the situation at hand. In poker, deceit and manipulation are part of the game and lying becomes a common practice in which everyone partakes. Although lying is generally wrong because it can disrupt fragile circumstances, there are some solid situations where it can even be encouraged!
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5 comments:
Nice job, I think that lying is actually used more often in ok or even good/encouraged cases. However lying is also used in bad cases. I like the reference to poker :)
Nice, this is good. Your examples are well planned out and thought out. Way to show us how to write. Keep up the good work!
I do agree with you when you say that lying to Margaret was all just for fun and games and was completely harmless, but I have to disagree slightly with your first example. While I do agree that it wasn't necessarily a good idea to lie about Beatrice loving Benedick while he was in ear shot I don't think that it would have done much harm had it gone wrong. If Benedick was indeed turned off by this idea he would either ignore her (which she probably wouldn't mind), or simply continue to be witting and annoy her as he already does.
I do agree with you when you say that lying to Margaret was all just for fun and games and was completely harmless, but I have to disagree slightly with your first example. While I do agree that it wasn't necessarily a good idea to lie about Beatrice loving Benedick while he was in ear shot I don't think that it would have done much harm had it gone wrong. If Benedick was indeed turned off by this idea he would either ignore her (which she probably wouldn't mind), or simply continue to be witting and annoy her as he already does.
Man, this piece of writing has all of David intact. Typed like you'd talk. I do agree with Sonofabennet down there though that lies can be used for good, like when you lie to keep someone from feeling bad. "No that outfit doesn't make you look fat."
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