In this episode, we learn the power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Streamed at https://www.twitch.tv/newdarkcloud
Before I begin, I would like to be clear that this is not some conspiracy theory that the Templars were the heroes all along. The writer of this blog does not support fascism and has very little love for the church.
Having said it, I find it interesting how Ubisoft has chosen to paint Ezio, probably even without realizing it. I mentioned before than one could plausibly frame Ezio as a usurper attempting to wrest control of Rome both from the Templars and the people, using populist rhetoric to achieve his ends. Not only does he install his old friends from outside of the city into positions of leadership among the big factions of the underworld, he “liberates” the townsfolk by purchasing property and charging rent at regular intervals. In other words, he is the landlord and reverses the power to evict any of his tenants.
And that critique only grows more dire when we see what Ezio does with the Apple of Eden after he takes possession of it. As an organization, the Assassins adhere to a Creed that demands they safeguard the free will and autonomy of humanity. As the Mentor and one of the greatest assassins to even live, Ezio is the pinnacle of what that order supposedly represents.
Yet this hero of the people and defending of free will is downright eager to use the Apple to brainwash guardsmen and compel them to turn against their own allies. In doing so, he robs them of the free will and autonomy that he claims to protect. Never once does the game even think to challenge him on it, or give him a moment to doubt his actions. Yet because these targets are Templars, it is unambiguously good that these ideals are compromised in the name of victory.
This lack of hesitation points to a very centrist world-view, where it is okay to compromise and bend on ideals, no matter how strongly held, in the name of “winning”. All is right so long as our organization is the one in power. And as I stated before, I doubt anyone on the writing team even realized that they were doing this. If they had, that could be an interesting character flaw for Ezio to explore and grapple with. Instead, he is the perfect assassin and the only one who is capable to taking the reins of leadership.
Perhaps if all our plans align, we can discuss this more next week with the finale of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood and the start(-ish) of the DLC.
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