Rage and Devotion
OptimisticDuelist recently released a video on hope entitled Devotion and Delusion in which he outlined some of his ideas on the aspect of Hope. While I largely agree with the ideas he sets forward, I feel like Rage is just as linked to the idea of devotion as Hope is, if not more so. Specifically, it seems linked to unconditional devotion to a person or career, rather than an ideology.
Just look at our canon, and semi-canon, Ragebound. The Makaras are devoted to Lord English, and Kurloz inspires this same kind of unconditional devotion to him and, though she remains largely unaware of it, to his master, in Meulin. Xefros is devoted to Dammek to such an intense degree that he is willing to completely undermine his own agency and interests in service of his moirail’s. Lynera is so devoted to Bronya that she kills anyone who she sees as a threat to their relationship and acts as her right hand troll, even though she knows Bronya doesn’t see her as a romantic prospect.
Even Nihkee and Charun, who lack this specific personal devotion to an individual, each have an equally intense devotion to their craft. Nihkee is so devoted to the practice of Muscular Theatre that she refuses to phone it in, even in matches against trolls higher on the Hemospectrum. Charun lives in a cave and appears to have no connections whatsoever save their devotion to the meaningless beauty of Garbage Art, and is willing to risk significant physical injury to acquire particularly appealing materials.
Gamzee’s devotion to Lord English is so intense and unconditional that he betrays his friends in every single timeline, and is willing to sustain countless indiginities and injuries, including being shot multiple times to bring about the coming of his god. Xefros doesn’t literally worship Dammek, but he comes close. His interest in sports, his personal property, all come second to Dammek’s. A good part of this is undoubtedly Dammek’s abusive behavior, but with the rest of the pattern evident, you cannot deny the connection.
With all of this in evidence, I dare you to say that Hope is the only aspect with a connection to the idea of devotion.
