What was Amon Goeth bad in the movie Schindler’s List?
In the harrowing and poignant film Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg, Amon Goeth is a complex and deeply unsettling character. Goeth, portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, serves as the commandant of the Plaszow concentration camp in Poland during World War II. His role as a Nazi SS officer is one of the most memorable and controversial aspects of the film. This article aims to delve into what made Amon Goeth such a malevolent figure in Schindler’s List.
The first thing that sets Amon Goeth apart is his callousness and sadism. Throughout the film, Goeth is depicted as a man who revels in the suffering of others. His cruel and sadistic behavior is evident in his interactions with the prisoners, particularly with his favored Jewish woman, Helen Hirsch (played by Lena Olin). Goeth’s sadism is not only evident in his physical abuse but also in his psychological manipulation and terrorizing of the prisoners. This sadistic nature is what makes him so terrifying and repulsive to the audience.
Another aspect that contributes to Goeth’s badness is his racism and antisemitism. As a member of the SS, Goeth is a fervent Nazi who believes in the superiority of the Aryan race. His prejudice is not only directed towards the Jews but also towards other ethnic and racial groups. Goeth’s racism is a reflection of the broader Nazi ideology that permeated German society during the war. His actions, such as ordering mass executions and treating prisoners with extreme cruelty, are a manifestation of his deeply ingrained hatred and discrimination.
Moreover, Amon Goeth’s moral ambiguity adds to his badness. While he is a cold-blooded murderer and a brutal oppressor, Goeth also exhibits moments of vulnerability and humanity. This ambiguity is what makes him such a compelling and terrifying character. In one of the film’s most haunting scenes, Goeth is seen playing with a young Jewish boy, Simon (played by Ray里斯). This brief moment of compassion and humanity is juxtaposed with his later brutal treatment of the boy’s father. This moral ambiguity forces the audience to confront the question of what makes a person truly evil.
Additionally, Amon Goeth’s role in the film is not just a depiction of individual evil but also a representation of the systemic and institutionalized evil that characterized the Holocaust. Goeth’s actions are not solely driven by personal vendettas or desires but by the orders he receives from his superiors and the ideology he subscribes to. This connection between individual and institutional evil highlights the complexity of the Holocaust and the responsibility that individuals and societies bear in such tragic events.
In conclusion, Amon Goeth is a malevolent figure in Schindler’s List due to his sadistic nature, racism, moral ambiguity, and representation of institutionalized evil. His character serves as a chilling reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust and the capacity for evil that exists within humanity. Through Goeth’s portrayal, Steven Spielberg forces viewers to confront the darkness that can exist within individuals and the consequences of allowing such darkness to flourish.
