The Forty-Eight Laws Of Power Robert Greene Analysis

Ashley Fabilane
11-11:50AM
ENGL 100
9 November 2011

The Negativity of Ignoring Revenge is often depicted as an act of evil, torture, or sadistic ways. When one is planning revenge it usually means one will hurt a person physically. In The Forty-Eight Laws of Power by Robert Greene, he explains how one of the best acts of revenge is ignorance. In this way a person is not tormented physically, but mentally. Although Greene is correct when explaining the act of ignoring can make one seem superior, he fails to mention the negative effects that acts of ignoring can bring. Throughout law 36, Greene explains: “Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge” (300).While this may be true, ignorance can also cause negativity
Whether it is due to lack of chemistry or an excess of differences, relationships should not be solved through ignoring their partner. Greene illuminates the idea of ignoring the things you want most because through showing desire one becomes resistant to a person that shows too much interest (305). But in fact, ignoring will do the opposite of improving a relationship. For instance, a wife has been working all day and even though she is tired she still makes dinner for her husband. He then gets home from work and decides to watch television followed by having dinner with his wife and does not acknowledge the things she does for him. This lack of communication and interest causes tension for the wife and forces an opening of arguments that cause problems in a marriage. Through the lack of communication in this relationship it shows that ignoring does not only cause these problems and tensions but it also upsets the wife and the relationship does not grow functionally, but instead falls apart. And so Greene neglects to say how ignorance can backfire and bring a negative influence and more
When children observe what their role models are doing they also tend to mimic their actions. In Greene’s law 36, he consistently points out that ignoring makes one seem superior, but what if a child were to see these types of actions happening? A child’s perceptions and outlook on life can change significantly if he or she were seeing their role models executing actions of ignoring. When children are young, at most times they try to be like their role models. So if a child sees their older sister or favorite singer doing things that provoke ignorance they may do the same and keep these habits as they get older. Although ignorance can be seen as a strength because it can make someone seem better than other people, it can just as well be viewed as a weak characteristic because ignoring shows a deficiency of knowledge and awareness. Carrying out the habits of ignoring can lead a child’s life into completely different directions but it is more likely that it will bring negativity and problems into their