But the ritual is lacking -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 14:38:24 02/16/08 Sat
Author: Betsy Peters
Subject: But the ritual is lacking
In reply to: Kiernan 's message, "Another little interesting connection on this theme...." on 10:42:42 02/13/08 Wed

I agree, James, that this violence "cock fighting" violence is probably not mimetic, especially as it does not try to further remove itself from the violence by ritualizing it. Correct me if I am wrong, but in mimetic violence we have: 1) dissolution/indifferentiation leading to conflict, 2) all against one collective violence (instead of the worse form all against all)3) development of interdiction and ritual.
While cock fighting recognizes the danger of #1, and seeks to avoid #1 and 2 by providing a substitute realm for the violence to take place that isn't "as violent", the interdiction and ritual is lacking as is the scape goat. Kiernan identified that Gladiator events did express this all against one, but was there tendency towards ritualized violence? Or was it more of a bloody catharsis. That is what cock fighting and football seem to be, a less bloody version of catharsis.

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