The Devil
The Devil signifies indulgence in excess, manipulating what is naturally good into harmful binds. It represents temptation and materialism, appealing to base desires and showcasing the dangerous allure of such indulgences. The Devil card also points to the susceptibility of individuals to immoral or evil acts under certain conditions.
Keywords
TEMPTATION; EXCESS; DECEIT; MATERIALISM
Corruption of Good
The Devil takes what is good; pride, affection, pleasure, and twists it into a force that binds. It asks for indulgence in excess, to be unrestrained in the pursuit of humanity’s more basic and animalistic wants. Standing opposite Temperance, the Devil is a bastardization of that which is natural and pleasurable.
Visual Representation
A beautiful figure with gleaming golden wings is centered on the page, recalling the Christian incarnation of Lucifer as one of God’s beautiful angels, fallen into sin. One hand is lifted to its lips in a whispering gesture, recalling the demons of Islam, Shaytan, “one who whispers into the hearts” of mankind.
Temporary Temptation
All around fall endless golden coins that disintegrate; impermanent pleasures, while numerous chains descend. The figure reaches out. Temptation is a willing prison, more dangerous for being more beautiful.
ADDITIONAL ARTWORK
Milgram's Experiment
Surrounding the Devil are 40 positions, 26 filled with prisms, and the others empty. This references Milgram’s Experiment.
Description of Milgram’s Experiment
Following the trials of Nazi war criminals, Stanley Milgram asked how a seemingly average population could commit the atrocities of WWII. Would everyday Americans have done the same? In his experiment, a hired actor posing as an authoritative scientist asks a participant to administer increasing levels of electrical shocks to a second hired actor should he answer various test questions incorrectly.
Results of the Experiment
As the shocks, which were fake, increased in voltage, the second actor would yell and bang repeatedly, indicating distress and fear of death. After much verbal prodding and assurances that these shocks and actions were “essential”, 26 of the 40 participants administered, however reluctantly, a fatal 450-volt shock.
Conclusion
Milgram’s experiment demonstrates that average people are alarmingly susceptible to acts of evil, given sufficient motivation.
True black tarot
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