Who Are the Bad Guys: Assassins or Templars? A Deep Dive into Assassin’s Creed’s Moral Ambiguity
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The Assassin’s Creed franchise has consistently presented a world steeped in moral ambiguity, blurring the lines between good and evil. So, who are the real bad guys: the Assassins or the Templars? The answer, frustratingly and intentionally, is that it’s not so simple. Neither faction holds a monopoly on virtue or villainy. Both are driven by understandable, if ultimately conflicting, ideologies, and both have committed atrocities in pursuit of their goals. The conflict isn’t about good versus evil, but about freedom versus order, and the lengths to which each side will go to achieve their vision of a better world. To truly understand, we need to look beyond simple labels and examine their motivations, methods, and the individual characters within each organization.
The Templar Order: Control in the Name of Stability
The Templars believe that humanity is inherently flawed and incapable of governing itself. In their view, freedom leads to chaos, conflict, and ultimately, self-destruction. Their solution is control – a hierarchical system where a select few, the Templars themselves, guide humanity towards a brighter future, even if it means sacrificing individual liberty.
- Order Above All: The Templar philosophy prioritizes order and stability above all else. They see themselves as shepherds guiding a flock, protecting them from their own worst impulses.
- The Ends Justify the Means: To achieve their vision, Templars often resort to manipulation, coercion, and even violence. They believe that the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term costs.
- Examples in the Franchise: Characters like Haytham Kenway exemplify this. While seemingly honorable and driven by noble intentions, he ultimately uses manipulation and deceit to further the Templar agenda. The Templar’s focus on control can easily lead to tyranny and the suppression of dissenting voices.
The Assassin Brotherhood: Freedom at Any Cost
The Assassins champion individual freedom and free will. They believe that humanity is capable of self-governance and that any attempt to control or manipulate them is inherently wrong. Their struggle is to allow people to write their own destiny.
- Freedom as a Guiding Principle: For the Assassins, freedom is not just a goal, but a fundamental right. They believe that individuals should be free to make their own choices, even if those choices lead to mistakes.
- Fighting Tyranny: The Assassins see themselves as protectors of the oppressed, fighting against any form of tyranny or control. Their methods often involve covert operations, assassinations, and sabotage.
- Examples in the Franchise: Characters like Ezio Auditore da Firenze represent this. While driven by a strong moral compass, Ezio resorts to violence and subterfuge to protect freedom and oppose Templar influence. The Assassin’s unwavering commitment to freedom can lead to recklessness and a disregard for the potential consequences of their actions.
The Gray Area: Morality in Conflict
Ultimately, both the Assassins and the Templars operate in a moral gray area. Their ideologies, while diametrically opposed, are not inherently evil. It is the methods they employ and the actions of individual members that determine whether they are perceived as “good” or “bad.”
- Individual Actions Matter: Within both organizations, there are individuals who act with honor and integrity, and others who are corrupt and power-hungry.
- Perspective is Key: What one side considers a necessary evil, the other views as an unforgivable act of oppression.
- The Cycle of Violence: The constant conflict between the Assassins and the Templars perpetuates a cycle of violence, where each side justifies their actions as a response to the other’s aggression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, neither the Assassins nor the Templars are inherently the “bad guys.” The franchise excels at presenting morally complex characters and organizations, forcing players to question their own beliefs about freedom, order, and the nature of good and evil. The true villains are often the individuals within each group who abuse their power and betray their own ideals. This exploration of ethical dilemmas is one of the key aspects that makes Assassin’s Creed so compelling. It offers a playground to question and explore different approaches and ideologies within the framework of a game. You can learn more about how video games can be useful tools for learning and intellectual inquiry by visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the Assassins always the good guys in Assassin’s Creed?
No. While the franchise often portrays the Assassins as the protagonists, they are not always morally righteous. Individual Assassins can make questionable choices, and their methods often involve violence and deception. Their dedication to freedom can also lead to unintended consequences.
2. Are the Templars inherently evil?
No. The Templars are driven by a desire to create a better world, albeit through control and order. While their methods can be oppressive, their intentions are not necessarily malicious. Some Templars genuinely believe they are acting in humanity’s best interest.
3. Why do the Assassins hate the Templars?
The Assassins oppose the Templars’ desire to control humanity. They believe that free will is essential for growth and individuality and that any attempt to subjugate individuals is inherently wrong.
4. Why do the Templars want to control humanity?
The Templars believe that humanity is inherently flawed and incapable of self-governance. They believe that control is necessary to prevent chaos and ensure the survival of the human race.
5. Is Shay Cormac a villain?
Shay Cormac’s allegiances change and his case is a complex one. He begins as an Assassin but eventually joins the Templars after becoming disillusioned with the Brotherhood’s methods. Whether he is a villain depends on one’s perspective. He believes he is acting to prevent a greater catastrophe, even if it means betraying his former allies.
6. Who is the most evil Templar in the Assassin’s Creed franchise?
That’s a matter of debate, but Rodrigo Borgia is frequently cited as one of the most ruthless and power-hungry Templars in the series. His actions have far-reaching and devastating consequences. Other evil templars include Al Mualim and Warren Vidic.
7. Who is the deadliest Assassin in the Assassin’s Creed franchise?
Again, subjective, but Ezio Auditore da Firenze is often considered one of the most skilled and influential Assassins in the series, due to his long lifespan as an assassin and his influence over time. Others include Bayek of Siwa and Edward Kenway.
8. Were the real-life Assassins similar to those in the game?
The game takes inspiration from the historical Nizari Ismailis, a secretive group known for their political assassinations. However, the game’s portrayal of the Assassins is heavily fictionalized.
9. Were the real-life Templars as evil as they are portrayed in the game?
The historical Knights Templar were a complex organization with a controversial history. While they were eventually accused of heresy and disbanded, the extent of their guilt is still debated by historians. The game’s portrayal of the Templars is largely based on historical rumors and conspiracy theories.
10. What is the Isu and how does it relate to the Assassin-Templar conflict?
The Isu are a precursor race of highly advanced beings who created humanity. They are a key element in the Assassin’s Creed lore, with both the Assassins and Templars seeking to understand and utilize Isu technology for their own purposes. The Isu artifacts are also major points of contention in the Assassin-Templar War.
11. What are the Pieces of Eden?
The Pieces of Eden are powerful artifacts created by the Isu. They possess a variety of abilities, including mind control, energy projection, and healing. Both the Assassins and Templars seek to control these artifacts to further their respective agendas.
12. Can the conflict between Assassins and Templars ever be resolved?
The game has explored potential paths towards reconciliation, but ultimately, the fundamental ideological differences between the two factions make a lasting peace difficult to achieve. The franchise leans heavily on the cyclical nature of the conflict.
13. Is there a “correct” side to choose in Assassin’s Creed?
No. The game deliberately avoids presenting a clear-cut “correct” side. Players are encouraged to consider the perspectives of both the Assassins and the Templars and to make their own judgments based on their individual values.
14. Which Assassin turned into a Templar?
Haytham Kenway’s son became a templar following his father’s murder in 1735. Shay Cormac also becomes a Templar after his experiences with the Assassin Brotherhood.
15. Are there modern-day Knights Templar?
While various groups claim to be modern-day successors to the Knights Templar, there is no direct continuation of the original medieval order. These groups are largely fraternal organizations with no historical connection to the original Templars.