Revenge. It Burns!

The decision to take revenge is not one that comes lightly. Though revenge is a vague term and can range from borderline petty to fully illegal, it is by definition the result of some kind of provocation. Famously a dish served cold, the exploration of revenge is a popular trope, particularly in examining the effects of revenge on the person partaking in it. In movies and shows like Monkey Man and The Glory, the psychological impacts of revenge are clearly portrayed as negative, but this is a common understanding. It’s obvious that revenge couldn’t be good for anyone. The necessary obsession, the waiting, and the effort all aimed towards someone’s demise doesn’t sound easy. But that doesn’t mean that we should never get revenge. Sometimes, getting revenge is the only way people will learn. To me, it’s all about balance. What did this person do to warrant revenge, and what’s a reasonably vengeful response? Let’s find out!

Factors to consider:

1) How much did what this person did harm me?

a. If what they did was mildly annoying and didn’t last very long, revenge is most likely not worth it. However, if what they did took place over a longer period of time, they didn’t stop when asked to, or caused long-term harm, then revenge is viable.

2) Have they harmed other people to the same extent or in similar ways?

b. If this person has hurt other people in the same way they hurt you, or did other things that caused similar levels of harm, then revenge can be considered, because clearly, they haven’t learned their lesson yet.

3) Did they face any consequences for what they’ve done?

c. If they’re already in trouble, is revenge necessary? Or if they got away with everything, is revenge the only option? Sometimes, karma needs a helping hand.

If after much deliberation, you’ve decided that the person who has wronged you deserves your plan of revenge, the next step is to assess whether you can handle the impacts of revenge on yourself. In many different cultures, praying on or being the direct cause of someone’s downfall often comes back to the manifester of such negative actions. If you’re prepared to take all the consequences, then proceed…

Steps to Revenge:

1) Planning: what exactly will revenge entail? This step involves deciding what level of revenge is adequate enough, deciding what the end goal is, essentially. Good revenge is well planned. Note, in almost every case, revenge should be enacted

in solitude. Avoid letting anyone know of your revenge plans, even if they are trusted. This is a path taken alone.

2) Waiting: The best revenge is unexpected and untraceable. This person may even forget about you and what they’ve done at this point. Perfect.

3) In Action: Finally, it’s time to carry out your revenge! This is the last possible time to back out. Choose carefully, and ensure that your plan cannot be identified as your work. Remember, the best revenge is psychological, confusing, andseemingly natural, a bout of bad luck.

4) The Aftermath: Allow yourself some time (a brief amount) to internally gloat or find some sense of justice from your actions, even if you can’t see the direct side effects.

Some say that revenge is a life well lived, but hearts of gold have to be forged. Forgiving isn’t always possible, and unfortunately, some people run off delusion and a lack of emotional maturity; they will only learn when they understand what it’s like to be hurt in the same way. So, if you have to, get that revenge, but be careful. It’s always dangerous to set fires and stick around to watch them burn.