Is Haytham Kenway a Bad Guy?
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The question of whether Haytham Kenway is a “bad guy” is complex and elicits a nuanced answer. He isn’t a mustache-twirling villain, but neither is he a hero. The short answer is yes, Haytham is an antagonist and operates within the moral gray area of the Assassin’s Creed universe, making him one of the most compelling characters in the franchise. He is a Templar, a member of the Order that the Assassins oppose, and he dedicates himself to their cause, often resorting to ruthless and morally questionable actions to achieve their objectives. While his motives may not be inherently evil, his methods, coupled with his fanaticism, firmly place him on the opposing side of the series’ protagonists.
A Complex Antagonist
Haytham’s allure lies in his complexity. He isn’t driven by a desire for chaos or personal gain; he genuinely believes that the Templar Order provides the best path to peace, albeit a peace forged through control and order, rather than the Assassins’ free will. He demonstrates intellect, charisma, and combat prowess, making him a formidable opponent and fascinating character. His justifications for his actions, though often flawed, are presented with such conviction that it’s hard not to see the logic in his twisted vision.
The Templar Vision
Unlike many straightforward villains, Haytham doesn’t relish cruelty for its own sake. His actions stem from a belief that the world needs a guiding hand, and he feels it is the Templars’ duty to provide that hand. This control is intended to prevent chaos and ensure lasting peace. He sees the Assassins as a disruptive force, undermining his vision of a controlled and stable society. This fundamental difference in philosophies is the core of his conflict with both the Assassins in general and his son, Connor Kenway, in particular.
Ruthless Pragmatism
What makes Haytham a compelling antagonist is that he isn’t afraid to be ruthless in pursuit of his goals. He’s willing to manipulate, betray, and kill anyone who stands in his way – even innocent people and former allies. This pragmatism, while effective for the Templar cause, firmly plants him as an antagonist. His actions can be seen as the product of his unwavering dedication to his beliefs, but they often leave a trail of destruction in their wake, illustrating his willingness to sacrifice everything for his perceived idea of greater good.
A Father’s Complex Love
One of the most compelling aspects of Haytham’s character is his relationship with Connor. Their interactions are fraught with tension, but also a deep, underlying connection. Haytham, despite being on opposing sides, tries to guide his son, often trying to sway him to the Templar side, believing it is the only path to true order. Even in their final confrontation, there are hints that he wishes for understanding, even reconciliation, with his son. However, his unwavering dedication to the Templar cause ultimately leads to his downfall, being killed by Connor. This shows that even in his moments of connection he was willing to have it end on his terms.
A Final Understanding?
There’s evidence suggesting that Haytham may have subtly allowed Connor to defeat him in their final confrontation. His journal, later recovered by Connor, reveals that he didn’t expect to survive their encounter and that he wanted his son to have it. This implies that Haytham wished to impart his perspective to Connor, hoping his son would understand his choices, perhaps even find it in his heart to forgive him. This act, if true, speaks volumes about the internal conflict he grappled with throughout his life.
Conclusion
Haytham Kenway isn’t simply a “bad guy” in the traditional sense. He is a complex, compelling, and morally ambiguous character. His belief in the Templar cause, his ruthless pragmatism, and his complicated relationship with his son, Connor, all contribute to his fascinating nature. While his actions place him firmly on the side of the antagonists, his internal struggles and motivations make him one of the most memorable and debated characters in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Haytham a good guy at some point?
While Haytham always believed in the Templar cause, his early life shows a less ruthless side. He was initially motivated by revenge for his father’s death and a desire for order. However, his fundamental beliefs always leaned toward the Templar way of thinking. This makes him difficult to label as “good” even in his early days.
2. Who kills Haytham Kenway?
Haytham Kenway is killed by his son, Connor Kenway, in 1781, after their uneasy alliance inevitably dissolved and their opposing philosophies came to a head.
3. Why is Haytham an antagonist?
Haytham is an antagonist because he is the Grand Master of the North American Colonial Rite of the Templar Order. He opposes the Assassins, actively working against their objectives, and is willing to use unethical means to achieve Templar goals.
4. Did Haytham let Connor win?
There’s evidence suggesting that Haytham did not expect to survive his final confrontation with Connor and may have allowed his son to kill him to ensure Connor understood his Templar perspective through his journal.
5. Why did Haytham help Connor?
Haytham and Connor formed a brief alliance to eliminate a rogue Templar, Benjamin Church. Haytham also used this alliance as an opportunity to try and sway Connor to the Templars’ side.
6. Why did Haytham betray Connor?
Haytham didn’t necessarily “betray” Connor in a traditional sense. He always believed in the Templar ideology. Their alliance was always fragile due to their differing beliefs. As it became clear that Connor would not join the Templars, Haytham ultimately became his adversary.
7. Does Connor regret killing Haytham?
Yes, Connor’s message written in the homestead basement, next to Haytham’s portrait, ‘sakataterihwáhten’ means “I made a mistake,” implying that he regrets his actions.
8. Who betrays Edward Kenway?
Edward Kenway is betrayed by Roberts, who leads him to the Observatory and subsequently hands him over to the British authorities.
9. Does Haytham like Connor?
While their relationship is complicated by their opposing ideologies, there is an underlying paternal affection from Haytham for Connor. However, this love is secondary to his devotion to the Templar Order.
10. How many kills does Connor Kenway have?
Connor Kenway officially has 11 kills. While this is a low number compared to other assassins, this is largely because of his only appearance in the games.
11. Is Haytham in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag?
Haytham appears as a young child in a post-credits scene of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which features his father, Edward Kenway.
12. How long do you play as Haytham in AC3?
You play as Haytham for the first three sequences in Assassin’s Creed III, before the story switches to Connor as the main character.
13. Who is the weakest assassin in AC?
Arno Dorian is often cited as one of the weakest assassins in the series due to his fighting abilities.
14. Who is the strongest assassin in Assassin’s Creed?
Ezio Auditore is often regarded as one of the strongest and most skilled assassins in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
15. Why did Haytham Kenway become a Templar?
Haytham was manipulated into joining the Templar Order after his father’s murder in 1735. He eventually rose through the ranks, becoming the Grand Master of the North American Colonial rite.