This is part of a writing challenge. Read more about it here.
For the past few days that I’ve been doing this challenge, I like to start off with just Googling the word and see if inspiration strikes there. So, here’s what today’s search revealed.
ignoble/ɪɡˈnəʊb(ə)l/ (adjective)
- not honorable in character or purpose.
- of humble origin or social status.
Not honorable in character or purpose. Of the two definitions, that’s the one I’m most intrigued by, so let’s start there, and see where this goes.
When I think of someone not being honorable, the first person that comes to mind is Jafar. From Aladdin? That’s probably because I just watched the live-action version yesterday, and as a side note: OH MY GOSH! It was so good! I absolutely loved it. And I most definitely have the soundtrack playing on a loop.
But let’s go back to Jafar for a bit.
He reveals in the movie when trying to convince Aladdin, that they are both birds of a feather in that they both don’t have a family, come from a thieving background and have dreams and aspirations of escaping their situations. If we were to take him at his word, which is probably a bad idea anyway, then Aladdin and Jafar are extremely similar, with similar backgrounds and hopes. So what sets them apart?
In my opinion, it’s their perspectives. Aladdin does everything he can because he doesn’t think he’s good enough the way he is for the woman he’s starting to fall for. He thinks that he won’t get a chance with her because he isn’t a prince. (That’s maybe something to be unpacked at another time). Jafar, on the other hand, does everything he does because he believes he is enough, in fact, he thinks he is better than everyone else and that he deserves more.
Though their background, intention, and aspirations may have been very similar, their relationships with those around them are what really shape them and their characters.
Jafar spends the entire movie chasing power by harming other people, shoving someone down a well, hypnotizing the Sultan, leaving Aladdin locked in the cave of wonders, attempting to kill Aladdin, hypnotizing the Sultan again, using the genie to overthrow him, forcing Jasmine to marry him, and just really hurting a lot of people. He is feared for sure, but never loved or respected.
Aladdin, on the other hand, spends the movie chasing love perhaps through the wrong means at first by lying to and tricking his love interest, but on that path, he befriends a carpet, a genie, and a monkey, who repeatedly are going out of their way to save him, and he, them. He creates friendships and relationships that are based on love, honor, and sacrifice. At the end of the movie, he gives up the one thing he was waiting for the entire time because his friendship with the genie is valuable and he recognizes the effects his actions have on other people.
All in all, Aladdin is by no means perfect, but his care for and actions towards those around him really separate him from Jafar.
For my fellow Potter-heads, this is a concept extremely common in that world too. For the longest time, there are many similarities noticed between Harry and Voldemort, and a huge part of Harry’s character development and internal struggle is understanding what sets him apart from the villain. He is often found questioning why people are looking up to him as an example of honor and bravery when he is so similar to someone who is ignoble, deceitful and entirely selfish. It’s in one of those moments that Albus Dumbledore shares some wise words that are, in my opinion, the perfect way to express my point:
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
I think what makes a person ignoble, or not honorable is in essence selfishness. Those who are honorable, kind, and selfless are those who are looking outwards to how their actions affect other people. Their choices in the face of difficulties and the awareness of how that may affect others is what shapes them. Two people coming from the same background can become utterly different people based on their choices and how they treat those around them.
~ Prisha Khimavat ~
Duration: 45 minutes
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