Public Execution: Difference between revisions

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Since the beginning of recorded history, societies have used execution as the ultimate punishment for unwanted behavior. Performing these executions in public can serve multiple purposes outside of removing the soon-to-be-deceased from society: it can act as a deterrent to warn on-lookers against repeating the behavior in question, it can slake the blood-lust of a wronged and angry populace, it can increase the punishment by [[Come to Gawk|adding an element of public humiliation]], and at times it can be down-right entertaining!

'''Public Executions''' can come about for any number of reasons. They may be performed by a government as punishment for a crime. They may be carried out by a monarch seeking to suppress the plans of political enemies in order to maintain a solid grasp on the throne. Regular ~~'''~~Public Executions~~'''~~ may be broadcast as a kind of spectator sport in a [[Crapsack World]], or in our own world [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]]. They can even be done on the spur of the moment by an [[Angry Mob]] who manage to get their hands on the source of their ire.

'''Public Executions''' can come about for any number of reasons. They may be performed by a government as punishment for a crime. They may be carried out by a monarch seeking to suppress the plans of political enemies in order to maintain a solid grasp on the throne. Regular Public Executions may be broadcast as a kind of spectator sport in a [[Crapsack World]], or in our own world [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future]]. They can even be done on the spur of the moment by an [[Angry Mob]] who manage to get their hands on the source of their ire.

The reaction of the [[In-Universe]] audience for the execution can serve as a reflection of the moral character of the society at that time. A crowd that does nothing but jeer, egg-on the executioner, or even attempt to participate in the killing may indicate that the people of the land are blood-thirsty and crude. On the other hand, shock and horror displayed by those in attendance may be a sign that the populace is undergoing a [[Morality Adjustment]] for the better, and may even be indicative of growing disfavor for the rulers who would carry out such a barbaric spectacle. Conquerors foolish enough to use a '''Public Execution''' to quell the dissent of a [[Martyrdom Culture]] could accidentally provide the last fuel needed to touch off a revolution.

A ~~'''~~Public Execution~~'''~~ can also to be used to show the true character of the condemned. A previously unrepentant criminal may become [[The Atoner]] in their final moments, and one who was a [[Badass]] may break down into uncontrolled sobbing and plead for their life. Characters who truly [[Who Wants to Live Forever?|don't fear death]] may treat it as a game, laughing and returning the insults of the crowd, or getting one last jab at the ruling government before they die.

A Public Execution can also to be used to show the true character of the condemned. A previously unrepentant criminal may become [[The Atoner]] in their final moments, and one who was a [[Badass]] may break down into uncontrolled sobbing and plead for their life. Characters who truly [[Who Wants to Live Forever?|don't fear death]] may treat it as a game, laughing and returning the insults of the crowd, or getting one last jab at the ruling government before they die.

If the executee is one of the good guys, their ~~'''~~Public Execution~~'''~~ may be the backdrop for a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment as their comrades rush in to save the day.

If the executee is one of the good guys, their Public Execution may be the backdrop for a [[Big Damn Heroes]] moment as their comrades rush in to save the day.

Overlaps with [[Dead Guy on Display]], as a ~~'''~~Public Execution~~'''~~ is one of the surest ways to make certain (and assure others) that someone is well and truly dead... if the execution isn't botched, or the prisoner rescued. Can also overlap with [[Deadly Game]], in which the condemned are forced to fight for their lives in gladiatorial or gauntlet style contests.

Overlaps with [[Dead Guy on Display]], as a Public Execution is one of the surest ways to make certain (and assure others) that someone is well and truly dead... if the execution isn't botched, or the prisoner rescued. Can also overlap with [[Deadly Game]], in which the condemned are forced to fight for their lives in gladiatorial or gauntlet style contests.

[[Truth in Television]] for some parts of the world. [[Burn the Witch]] is a notable type, both historically and in fiction.

Note that in order to qualify as an example of ~~'''~~Public Execution~~'''~~, the act must be performed in front of a large audience. The modern practice of allowing a handful of witnesses to view an otherwise private execution would not count for the purpose of this trope.

Note that in order to qualify as an example of Public Execution, the act must be performed in front of a large audience. The modern practice of allowing a handful of witnesses to view an otherwise private execution would not count for the purpose of this trope.

'''Related Tropes:'''

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'''Jamal''': (''raises his fist'') Power to the people!

(''Everybody looks at him strangely, including the rebel.'') }}

** Jamal himself is about to be executed in public for ~~deflowing~~ the princess (although, apparently, she already wasn't a virgin) and ruining the King's chances of an alliance with the Duke of Normandy. He tries to impress the medieval peasants with his "magical powers", but they're not buying it. Luckily, he's rescued by {{spoiler|Sir Nolte}}.

** Jamal himself is about to be executed in public for deflowering the princess (although, apparently, she already wasn't a virgin) and ruining the King's chances of an alliance with the Duke of Normandy. He tries to impress the medieval peasants with his "magical powers", but they're not buying it. Luckily, he's rescued by {{spoiler|Sir Nolte}}.

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* Often occurs in ''[[Robin Hood]]'' stories, with the Sheriff of Nottingham planning to kill captured Merry Men or innocents (usually by hanging) and Robin and the others trying to save them.

* In ''[[Discworld]]'' novels:

** In ''[[~~Discworld/Witches Abroad|~~Witches Abroad]]'' we see a public execution. Some countries cut off a thief's hand so he won't steal again. Lady Lilith cuts off his head so he won't ''think'' about stealing again. This is also a good example of the reaction of the public showing the nature of the society; after years of Lilith's rule, the public don't react at all, they just have a dead-eyed stare.

** In ''[[Witches Abroad]]'' we see a public execution. Some countries cut off a thief's hand so he won't steal again. Lady Lilith cuts off his head so he won't ''think'' about stealing again. This is also a good example of the reaction of the public showing the nature of the society; after years of Lilith's rule, the public don't react at all, they just have a dead-eyed stare.

** ''[[~~Discworld/~~Going Postal|Going Postal]]'' opens with a ''faked'' public execution. Moist (the accused, who doesn't know it's faked) is asked to sign the rope before hand, since it will then be worth more to collectors. He's also expected to come up with some [[Famous Last Words]], that being traditional.

** ''[[Going Postal (Discworld)|Going Postal]]'' opens with a ''faked'' public execution. Moist (the accused, who doesn't know it's faked) is asked to sign the rope before hand, since it will then be worth more to collectors. He's also expected to come up with some [[Famous Last Words]], that being traditional.

** Rincewind escapes a public execution in ''[[~~Discworld/The Last Continent|~~The Last Continent]]''. There's a lot made of the execution as entertainment, and as above, pieces of the rope are highly prized souvenirs, although [[Honest John's Dealership|Fair Go Dibbler]] is somehow able to sell them ''before'' the hanging. ("It's still rope, right? Genuine rope.") We're also told of the humanitarian tradition that if the gibbet sticks three times... the prisoner will be given breakfast while someone fixes it.

** Rincewind escapes a public execution in ''[[The Last Continent]]''. There's a lot made of the execution as entertainment, and as above, pieces of the rope are highly prized souvenirs, although [[Honest John's Dealership|Fair Go Dibbler]] is somehow able to sell them ''before'' the hanging. ("It's still rope, right? Genuine rope.") We're also told of the humanitarian tradition that if the gibbet sticks three times... the prisoner will be given breakfast while someone fixes it.

* Severian, the protagonist of ''[[Book of the New Sun]]'' is a public executioner and describes some of his jobs. Like the ''[[Discworld]]'' examples above, people did want souvenirs and Severian talks about playing to the crowd.

* The protagonist of ''[[Samurai Executioner]]'' is a public executioner and the story in part consists of his victim's backstories and then shows him executing them.

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[[Category:Narrative Devices]]

[[Category:Death Tropes]]

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[[Category:Crime and Punishment Tropes]]

[[Category:Index]]

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