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"Are you a man, a dog, or a monster?" Alucard has asked this question (in some form) on more than one occassion and to more than one person. As I was trying to determine Hellsing's central theme, I decided that this question was an important part of it. I began to wonder, what is a man, a dog, or a monster? What makes them what they are?


Here are my thoughts:

I think that a man is a person who makes choices and accepts the consequences of those choices.
I think that a dog is a person who allows someone else to make choices for them.
I think that a monster is a person who makes choices without thinking them through and without accepting the consequences of those choices.


If you have your own definition of what a man, a dog, or a monster is, or what makes them what they are, I'd be very interested in hearing it.

Alucard is one of the only two characters in the series who has been a man, a dog, and a monster (the other character is Anderson). Alucard is unique in that he is all three at once. When Luke called Alucard the a dog for the Church of England, he was absolutely right. Alucard may be a monster, but he is also a dog, because he does only what he is told. As he tells Integra, "I can kill them... because I am a monster... but what will kill them is your intent".


That being said, I don't think being a monster has anything to do with being good or evil. Rather, it has everything to do with choice. A man becomes a monster when he sacrifices his humanity (for whatever reason) and chooses to become a monster (Alucard and Seras did it to escape death, Anderson and Walter did it to defeat Alucard). However, what truly makes them monsters is that they refuse to accept the consequences for their choices.

For instance, Alucard spent 400 years bringing death and destruction. He didn't start down his path of redemption until he was defeated by Abraham Van Helsing (who showed him the strength of humanity and made him realize that he'd made a mistake when he chose to become a vampire).

Anderson, on the other hand, chose to become a monster because he wanted to defeat Alucard and he did not care about the consequences of his choice. Unfortunately for him, not caring about consequences could not prevent him from having to suffer them. He failed to defeat Alucard and died because of it.


In other words, what makes a monster a monster is their choice to sacrifice their humanity and their refusal to try to reclaim it.

rofl

but, the answer to the question of life is 42!

children are scary.

and alu LIKES being integra's dog. and anderson is reffered to as either iscariot or the vatican's "attack dog" somewhere along the line i think. my brain's fuzzy and it's been like a year since i reread the older mangas.

*snickers at mental image of alu and anderson with collars on chained up to little doghouses on either side of a yard, glaring at each other from the end of their leashes*

hump tiem laters.

I think Alucard defines 'Monster' as those without mercy or regard for any form of life.
If you notice through out the manga/anime, he never kills an 'innocent by standard'. If anything he seems to loath unnecessary killing.
A 'dog' would be something that doesn't question who he/she is killing and why.
A man is someone who does what is right/necessary and does what benefits others. Even if it means having to kill.
.........
My thoughts.

LOL. YES.



Actually, Alucard kills plenty of innocent by-standers in his battle with the Dandy. He may not have killed them purposely, but he showed absolutely no regard at all for anyone who might have been in the way.

Well, I must say I'm rather shocked by how much I've missed in the guild lately.
XDDD

Anyway, getting back on top of things, I must say Michigami's MS paint masterpiece is FRICKIN AWESOME.


XDDD



ANYWAYS

In my opinion...
Hmm...
I believe I man is a person who realizes the value of his/her humanity and can make the well-thought and better choice. (please note that by 'better' I refer to the choice that would be smartest in whatever their currant situation.)
Furthermore, they can make these choices on their own without relying on others to do it for them.


A dog is pretty much just following some ones orders, and many of them do very little thinking on their own.
They do not take action, they simply do what the person higher up commands of them, no matter what.

As for the monster...
I believe it is pretty much defined as one with a blatant disregard for most people around them.
They will kill without mercy or regret, and they will do whatever they want, without even thinking about how it will turn out in the long run.



Personally, I do believe that the whole good/evil thing does play into it to some extent.


Finally, bringing the Major into it, as stubborn as I am.
I do really believe him to be a monster, rather then a man.
xP


Aaand, for Alucard himself, heres my view...
Well,taking the dog part into consideration I mean, yes, he is Integra's dog, but at the same time, he's isn't totally hanging off of her orders, he's a smart b*****d, he finds loopholes.
He is a dog to some extent, and I believe that he's perfectly happy following Integra's orders, but for the most part he's a monster.

and, another random thing that popped into my mind....
Anderson went from a dog following Maxwells stupid orders, to a man, when he decided to turn on Enrico and deal with what he found to be the main priority.
unfortunately, he underestimated himself and resorted in becoming a monster.


*big yawn*

Anywho, I'm really not good with explanation or theories, so I shall be on meh way.

I can't say in any manner of theology or psychology to define Alucard as man, dog, or monster, but as I am currently working on a plushie of Alucard as a dog to use as a prop for my Seras cosplay, I feel my answer on what he is will be a tad obvious on the plush's completion.