Evil is Evil: A Comprehensive Moral Examination of The Witcher Series

Abstract

This paper delves into the intricate portrayal of evil in Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher series, exploring how the narrative challenges conventional moral hierarchies and absolute distinctions between good and evil. Central to the series is Geralt of Rivia's assertion, "Evil is evil. Lesser, greater, middling... makes no difference," a statement that initially suggests moral absolutism but ultimately underscores the complexities of ethical choice in a morally ambiguous world. By engaging with philosophical frameworks from Augustine, Kant, Nietzsche, and Arendt, this study examines the multifaceted nature of evil as represented by witchers, monsters, sorcerers, political entities, and key characters like Ciri. The paper incorporates analyses from all the novels in the series, including Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves, The Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of Swallows, The Lady of the Lake, and Season of Storms. It further investigates how institutionalized prejudice, slippery ethical compromises, and the struggle for moral integrity reflect the ethical dilemmas that pervade the narrative. Through an expanded examination of the moral struggles and internal codes of characters like Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, this paper argues that The Witcher series presents a nuanced meditation on the nature of evil and the challenges of maintaining one's humanity in a world where good and evil often overlap.