Essence of Evil

[LadyLavinia]

How do "BUFFY" fans regard the First Evil? Do any of them regard it as the essence of evil that resides in all living beings? Or do they regard it as some kind of sentient being that is simply non-corporeal?

 

[Bluebird]

I didn't give it too much thought, but I always assumed the First was the actual essence of evil. That it could manipulate people if need be, and bring out the worst in them. Makes sense in a way too, since it is an incorporeal entity, and would always need a physical being to do its dirty work.

 

[Doppelgang]

I think the first is the essence of evil as it is suggested, but even so, it still has to rely on specific circumstances in it's favour in order to manifest itself. But then the question is what is evil? If it is an urge for pure destruction then evil would never last long as it would destroy itself in the process, similarly if it was just a desire for chaos. The first seems to be quite personal in its evil ways, suggesting it's not seeking pure destruction, but just to destroy the hope in human beings. Maybe this is the essence of evil, to try and destroy hope?

 

[InsaneMystic]

C) a lame ass plot device? 😛

(Which aligns with the "internal essence of evil" blah... kinda like a Jungian collective unconscious projection coupled with black-and-white morality. Bo-ring.)