Dr. Hannibal Lecter a character in the film The Silence of the Lambs is portrayed as a brilliant forensic psychiatrist, an extremely refined gentleman with a charismatic and charming personality. Hannibal Lecter is meticulous in appearance, speaks very exactly, has immaculate wittiness, and astounding intellect (Demme, 1991). Though not directly indicated in the film, there is clear evidence of his educational background as he was a well-known forensic psychiatrist which requires an extensive amount of education. This film did not speak to Lecter’s relationship history nor his childhood background. Hannibal Lecter was sanctioned to the Baltimore State Forensic Hospital for cannibalistic crimes he committed against his own patients during his practice as a psychiatrist (Demme, 1991). At the start of the film it was indicated that he had been housed at the hospital for approximately eight years. …show more content…
The cell was completely embossed in glass as Lecter was considered extremely dangerous. Per a comment from his doctor in the film Dr. Chilton, Hannibal Lecter on July 8, 1981 was taken out of his cell which at the time had normal bars, to have an EKG conducted and once his mouth piece was removed he attacked the nurse chewing her jaw up and ate her tongue (Demme, 1991). After this attack, Lecter was handled under much more strict guidelines, he was not permitted out of his cell unless his hands and feet were bound and his face covered with a reinforced face mask. Hannibal Lecter was once a respected psychiatrist that later became a killer that ate his victims hence his nickname, Hannibal the
Although a genius on the battlefield, where he used surprise and maneuver to overcome the relatively small size of his force, I do not believe that Hannibal was an ethical leader. He did not always exhibit the essential intellectual traits of critical thinking, nor did he always enforce ethical standards. To clarify, Hannibal’s vision was for independence for the territories. But based on some of his actions, the concept of ‘freedom for all’ was not part of that vision. Hannibal exhibited the trait of intellectual hypocrisy; he didn’t hold himself to the same standards that he fought for when he faced the ethical dilemma of feeding, equipping, and paying his troops for their service; or selling Roman captives into slavery.
Lecter is a truly evil man, but Dr. Chilton is the worse of the two.
At work, Joshua Boren was a well-respected law enforcement officer, often referred to as a big "teddy bear."
His overwhelming sense of entitlement and hypocrisy, is proven when he refers to himself as ‘royalty.’ Hannibal’s occasional nice gestures are undermined when he is consumed with his cannibalistic urges. Some may say, he is only psychotic because of his early exposure to PTSD, but this theory is proven wrong. He showed severe symptoms earlier in his life, and the trauma only exaggerated the effects. His cunning and manipulative ways are far from unintentional; he manipulates people’s truth to discover their behavior and actions, so when he kills them it is more pleasurable. Hannibal’s unquestionable parasitic lifestyle is verified when he discusses the ‘finer things in life’. He discusses his interest in - dinner parties, fine arts, and fine dining. Authenticating his strange sense of
Hannibal is considered a monster that eats people, savoring the flesh of his victims. That he enjoys the fear that he invokes, while coming down on his victim with relish. While ingratiating himself into the lives of people he considered vulgar, he enjoyed putting them in their place. As well-known surgeon, he functioned normally. He enjoyed all the finer things in life. He believed that being the only one who knew everything, made him a superior being.
The topic of dehumanization has an interesting dynamic in Demme’s film The Silence of the Lambs. This consists of the fact that the Clarice Starling’s own humanity is consistently undermined and almost immediately rectified by Dr. Lecter. Lecter himself is an ironic character since he has no fear of killing someone through cannibalism. One of the most symbolic forms of dehumanization possible, he still respects and guards Starling’s humanity. This character receives even more complexity as Lecter is revealed as more and more calculating and cold throughout the series, almost appearing desensitized to most human emotions, interactions and concerns.
In the movie “Silence of the Lambs”, the secondary antagonist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, was interrogated by FBI trainee Clarice Starling on the whereabouts of the main antagonist nicknamed Buffalo Bill. Starling asked Lecter for his help on solving the case because he is a brilliant psychiatrist and psychopath, currently incarcerated at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Buffalo Bill was kidnapping young women and skinning them in order to make a “woman suit” for him to wear, being a deranged transvestite. Starling asked for Lecter’s expertise because of his medical background and experience with his own personal disorder. Lecter was presently imprisoned because he is a ruthless cannibalistic serial killer. Before the audience actually meets Lecter, they are told he is dangerous, manipulative and an outright monster, calling him a “most prized asset”. Upon meeting him, Lecter appears to be subdued within his cell, a combined mixture of oddness and genuine care in his body language and facial features. When Starling introduces herself, Lecter listens intently, seemingly approachable and friendly for advice. Although the tone of his voice gives off a rather disturbing persona, he can easily be categorized as a disciplined, cultural and polite individual at first glance. In the 16 minutes total that Lecter appears in the movie, his presence automatically commandeers the flow of the conversation and mood of the environment that he is placed in.
I chose the book Without Conscience by Robert Hare, PhD, because I have always found psychopathy fascinating. How can they do what they do? Dr. Robert Hare not only brought valuable information and research about psychopaths, but also made the book gripping and easy to read. He provided a firsthand account and insight regarding his research on psychopaths. The goal of this book was to help the general public understand what a psychopath is. How to spot and avoid psychopaths.
Dr. Hannibal Lector, one of the main characters of the story is a psychiatrist, but also happens to be a cannibalistic serial killer. Dr. Lector is introduced into the NBC series as a psychiatrist who occasionally helps the FBI with their murder cases. Whereas in Silence of the Lambs, Dr. Lector was being held in prison until he eventually broke loose. It is made clear to the audiences the Hannibal is definitely the killer, there is no mystery to that, which can make things interesting for this character in the Hannibal series of whether or not he’ll be caught.
The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. Since the beginning of time, scientists and neuropsychologists alike have studies its composition and how it influences human behavior. However, no human behavior has baffled researchers more than serial murder. Serial killers are dangerous animals that act upon bizarre influences that have fascinated the human race for thousands of years. Many wonder what could cause a person to take the life of another innocent soul. Do internal factors cause them to do it? Is it their environment? What causes a serial killer to kill?
... death and destruction for the Romans that Adolf Hitler would to our Civilization. Hannibal’s name became synonymous with the stereotype that Rome had of the Carthaginian perfidy. And it was this that Rome never wanted to see again; so to be a good Roman, one had to be taught what it was to be a "Hannibal" and how not to be a "Hannibal." In the end Rome was taught many valuable lessons and to the victor go the spoils; so it is a measure of the fear Hannibal’s name instilled, that long after he was dead and gone, parents would scold naughty children with the warning that if they weren't good, Hannibal would come to get them in the night.
Whether it was in the form of sexual or physical abuse, something messed this character up very much. Kidnapping ladies after pretending to be injured and in need of assistance is already a terrifying thought – turning sympathy into torture. Buffalo Bill definitely had Anti-Social Personality Disorder, displaying the same lack of empathy for his abducted victims. His murders and acts of skinning the ladies wasn't without a point. He also likely had Gender Identity Disorder, as shown in his dance scene where he puts on make up etc... Hannibal revealed that he was rejected for the sex change surgery due to childhood trauma. He removed the skin of many, and in turn was going to create a suit of the women's skin so he could finally feel complete. Psychiatrist Lecter said of Jame Gumb: “Look for severe childhood disturbances associated with violence. Our Billy wasn’t born a criminal, Clarice — he was made one through years of systematic abuse. Our Billy hates his own identity, you see. He always has, and he thinks that makes him a transsexual. But his pathology is a thousand times more savage and more terrifying.” An important scene is when he refers to his victim as an 'It' while giving her directions. This in a way dehumanizes her, and is his personal justification for his actions. An interesting point to add is that when his victim got a hold of his small dog and was keeping
There is still a game of Hannibal Lecter . Its a kind of innocence contrasts with the murderous instinct . Aristocratic manners manners have become psychopathic esthete that beauty and art are treated as part of the filling every bit of human life . Sophistication is the medium in an intellectual sense Lecetera . Why do people eat ? This magnum opus of aesthetics. Beauty can be created , but let's create a beautiful man ! Let the art is the human body itself , which is subjected to artistic treatment . Man becomes work , and for Hannibal this seems to be the fulfillment of artistic emploi . Aestheticism pervades everything, everywhere , has created a master piece ..
One of the biggest traits of psychopath serial killer is their inability to empathize with human feelings. There is no generic profile for psychopath serial killer. Serial killers differ in many ways, including their motivations for killing and their behavior at the crime scene. They will use people for excitement, to build self-esteem. In the movie the behavioral science doctor mentions that Dr. Lecter ate a nurse’s tongue and during the ordeal his pulse rate never raised above eighty-five, which is usually a pulse pate of a regular person that is resting. The calmness he displays is a shallow emotional response, as well as lacking empathy or remorse.
...ably never recover from his violent, cannibalistic tendencies. Dr. Lecter is far too sophisticated and may outsmart any psychiatrist assigned to work with him. However, if treatment were pursued, I would begin with a psychotherapeutic approach. Dr. Lecter has few individuals he trusts/opens up to. He needs an established therapeutic rapport for therapy to continue successfully. He trusts no one. To help him cope with night terrors, intrusive thoughts, avoidance issues, and many of his antisocial behaviors, I would suggest Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), prolonged exposure, and possibly mood stabilizers. These treatments may help reduce symptoms/reminders of his trauma, that cause outbursts of anger/violence. Though these treatments may help reduce symptoms, it is unlikely that Dr. Hannibal Lecter will ever function safely/non destructively within society.