Table of contentsIntroductionRepresentation of the themes of disobedience and authorityConclusionWorks citedIntroductionIn the literary field, two distinct works, "Pan's Labyrinth" by Guillermo del Toro and Miguel de Cervantes' "The Dialogue of the Dogs" converge in their exploration of the interplay between disobedience, morality and power. Both stories delve into the deep need of individuals to challenge authority when they. face ethical dilemmas and, in doing so, they unveil the complexities of human behavior in the face of dominant domination. These works delve into the intricacies of personal decision-making, often defying established norms to take a moral stance. Although they differ in their contexts and their characters, they share a common thread: the revelation of corruption within systems of power. Through the characters of Ofelia, Berganza, Scipio and the military captain, they examine the moral choices individuals make when confronted with oppressive authority, shedding light on the fundamental question of whether power and morality can coexist. . This essay explores the thematic parallels between these two literary works, demonstrating how disobedience emerges as a virtue and the need to reconstruct and redistribute authority for a more ethical society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayDepiction of Themes of Disobedience and AuthorityIn “Pan’s Labyrinth,” the character Ofelia faces challenges tasks that require him to accept moral disobedience. She refuses to blindly trust the authority of the enigmatic fawn and disobeys the instructions given to her. This disobedience stands in stark contrast to that of his father, a power-hungry and ruthless military captain who resorts to violence against anyone who questions his authority. This stark contrast in character highlights the unequal distribution of power within the narrative. “Berganza” and “Scipio” in “The Dialogue of the Dogs” are depicted as philosophers who contemplate the morality of themselves and those around them. Berganza's various roles throughout his life expose him to the cruelty and power imbalance in the world, from interacting with violent butchers to corrupt police officers. His job is to evaluate the goodness of these individuals and to assess whether his own moral actions are justified. Similarly, Ofelia in “Pan's Labyrinth” relies on different guardians at different times, similar to Berganza's transition from one master to another. These parental figures and masters serve as catalysts for disobedience among those under their authority, allowing individuals to explore their own morality. Berganza's trust in his shepherd masters initially leads him to obediently follow their orders, accepting the consequences that come with them. It is only when he becomes aware of the true intentions of these shepherds that he realizes the existence of such oppressive social structures. The dogs of "The Dialogue of Dogs" seek a way to expose these systems, paralleling the fight for survival of Ofelia and her brother. Their story highlights the importance of disobedience as a way to achieve the moral high ground and escape the clutches of a fascist regime. Throughout "Pan's Labyrinth", the character of the Captain is presented as an authoritarian and patriarchal figure, with his harsh indifference evident. using various visual cues. His military uniform and a damaged pocket watch symbolize his authoritarianism, thewatch being deliberately broken so that his son would know the time of his death in battle. It glorifies death in battle as the only honorable end, charging fearlessly into enemy fire. Conversely, the servant Mercedes secretly assists the rebels through acts of disobedience, obtaining a key to the storage and providing the rebels with weapons, food, and supplies. in Ofelia's mother's authority eventually shifts to the authority of Ofelia's fantasy once they enter the dark forest. Additionally, the doctor disobeys orders and mercifully euthanizes a suffering rebel against the captain's wishes. These examples suggest that appropriate parental models for Ofelia are those who demonstrate disobedience rather than blind obedience. An often overlooked theme in these works is the power dynamics of parenting and childhood. In "The Dialogue of the Dogs", Camacha, the witch, serves as Montiela's midwife and transforms her children into dogs, irrevocably changing their childhoods. The power of parenthood changes the course of childhood forever. Similarly, in "Pan's Labyrinth", the Captain exerts control over the parenting of his unborn son, insisting that his wife use a wheelchair and prioritizing the child's life over that of of his wife. In doing so, the captain seeks to become the sole parental figure, asserting his authority over the child's upbringing. Mercedes' response to the Captain's request that her son be informed of the time and place of his death signifies a shift in power, as she states: "He will never even know your name." Ultimately, the captain's mission is not only thwarted, but his entire authority is dismantled, with Mercedes assuming control of the child's upbringing. Ultimately, Ofelia in "Pan's Labyrinth" realizes that power does not reside only in external authorities such as the military. or its guardians. Instead, she recognizes the power within her. His final task, given to the faun, is to bring his little brother to the center of the maze and use a knife to take a few drops of blood from his only family member. However, she refuses to comply with this horrible directive, choosing to follow her own moral compass rather than blind obedience. Ophelia finds herself in the position of having to chart her own path to power, having shed her own blood while following her own instincts. Her journey to empowerment unfolds through the realm of fantasy, offering her an escape from the relentless domination imposed by her stepfather. The captain manipulates the excuse of fascism to assert his control even within the confines of the family home. On the other hand, Berganza, the dog, discovers his power through the different roles he assumes throughout his life. Berganza feels a sense of empowerment when he believes he is doing “good.” For example, he bites the servant for sneaking out or provides exceptional care to his masters' children, even when he is not invited. Unlike Ophelia, who understands her position as a child, Berganza struggles to determine her place in the social hierarchy of her time. Berganza's experiences lead him to realize that the butcher is as capable of taking a human life as he is of slaughtering a cow. He sees shepherds acting like predators, killing their own sheep at the owner's expense, and the magistrate colluding with prostitutes to apprehend and extort bribes from foreigners. In contrast, the captain exercises his power through blatant corruption, hoarding rations for himself and manipulating bread allocations. This behavior resembles the corrupt practices of the Church, hidden behind the veneer..