Cornelian dilemma

Cornelian dilemma

A Cornelian dilemma (choix cornélien) is a dilemma in which someone is obliged to choose between two courses of action either of which will have a detrimental effect on himself or herself or on someone near to him or her. In classical drama, this will typically involve the protagonist's experiencing an inner conflict which forces him to choose between love and honour or inclination and duty.

The Cornelian dilemma is named after French dramatist Pierre Corneille, in whose play Le Cid (1636) the protagonist, Rodrigue, is torn between two desires: that of being worthy of his girlfriend Chimène's love and that of avenging his father, who has been wronged by Chimène's father. Rodrigue can either seek revenge and lose the love of his beloved, or renounce revenge and lose his honour.

Examples

This dilemma is seen in:

  • Star Trek: Voyager Episode "Latent Image".
  • Batman: The Dark Knight, where Batman must choose between saving Rachel and Harvey Dent

See also

References


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