Why do people fight? It is a simple question that has a complex answer. It is in our blood to fight but, we have a choice to fight or not. People have been fighting with each other since the existence of man. Not everybody fights for same reason. Everybody is different and their own way of thinking. This can cause a rift between human beings. It can be for love, family, power, freedom, sacrifice, and pride are one of the many reason to fight. Also different circumstances can cause people to fight. Things like oppression, race, and cultures can cause confliction with over people. Fighting also is not just a physical battle with someone else but it can be a battle with oneself. Individuals battle with their emotions and reasoning on the decision that they make. The human mind can be its own battlefield.
From the Stele of Naram-Sin to the Walking Dead, the artists having being showing humans in battles with each other and themselves. The artist can have an agenda or not. It is up to us to decide on how we interpret the art. It can make us feel patriotic, disgusted, pitiful, shameful, happy and other different emotions. Our experiences and outlook on life can determine on how we feel about. The works of art in this gallery depict some reasons to why people fight. By understanding why people fight, we can hope to gain a better understanding of ourselves and how we think.
The Battle of the River Tchernaya, Gerolamo Induno, 1857/1857, From the collection of: Fondazione Cariplo
The Battle of the Chernaya was a battle by the Chernaya River fought during the Crimean War on August 16, 1855. The battle was fought between Russian troops and a coalition of French. So why do they fight? for their freedom? No, somethime you fight for nothing for a man. Tsar Alexander II had ordered his new Crimean commander in chief, Prince Michael Gorchakov, to attack the besieging forces before they were reinforced further. The Tsar hoped that by gaining a victory, he could force a more favourable resolution to the conflict. Miscommunication of the Russian officers, incompetent commands and luck of experienced soldiers turned this battle into a bloody massacre. Disorganized and poorly armed Russians infantry were sent to cross the river and capture the heights without any cavalry or artillery support. bravery in the soldiers and mediocrity in the generals are the chief characteristics, on both sides, of the present war.from New-York Daily Tribune. So why do they fight? no soldiers ever want to fingt, but that is someone always order them fight.
1901, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
The Third of May 1808 is a painting completed in 1814 by the Spanish painter Francisco Goya. Do they look scared? do they fight back?The painting's content, presentation, and emotional force secure its status as a groundbreaking, archetypal image of the horrors of war. People in the painting can not resistc fight. Why don’t they fight? Honestly, of course, because there is a gun pointed at them. But most of all because of fear, they can not fight, because they are too weak and can not resist.
1901, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
In The Third of May the man with raised arms at the focal point of the composition has often been compared to a crucified Christ, and a similar pose is sometimes seen in depictions of Christ's nocturnal Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Battle scenes from the Tale of Heike (Heike Monogatari), Unknown, early 17th century, From the collection of: Art Gallery of South Australia
To die in service of your clan was a great honor for the samurai. These two samurai warriors have their katanas unsheathed are ready to die. They followed a set of code known today as Bushido. The code consisted of the keeping up the values of loyalty, martial arts mastery and honor unto death. It is very similar to chivalry of the knights in Europe. They were trained in archery, horseback riding, and hand to hand combat. They were also taught philosophies and virtues to which to live by. In Feudal Japan, the samurai class was highly respected among the people. To run away from a battle would mean a great dishonor to you and to your family. To dishonor the family or clan was one of the most heinous acts a samurai perform. To keep their honor samurai would commit seppuku. Seppuku is a ritual suicide to which save face and still have honor as a samurai. These samurai would rather fight to the death then be dishonored.
Over The Top'. 1st Artists' Rifles at Marcoing, 30th December 1917, Nash, John (RA), 1918, From the collection of: Imperial War Museums
The soldiers of the 1st Artists’ Rifles are pummeled by the artillery shells of the German battalion. Their fellow soldiers are being blown up to pieces and yet they still come out of the trenches off into battle. The men look depleted and dishearten but they get up. How is it that they are still able to fight? They do not look scared and are not running away from the battle. These soldiers even though they are facing certain death, they are protecting their homeland. They are willing to die for their families and fellow countrymen. Some of these men were volunteers and others were conscripted into the army. If they weren’t going to fight who was going to do it? The choice was to stay in trenches and die or drive the Germans back. The unit was back into a corner and they had no other choice. Sometimes survival is a good reason to fight.
(Main View), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Telemachus while searching for his father, Odysseus, has been shipwrecked on enchantress Calypso's island. Telemachus meets Cupid and Cupid makes him fall hopelessly in love with the nymph Eucharis whom was one of Calypso's attendants. The jealous Calypso prevents the two lovers from meeting alone, and Mentor, Telemachus's stalwart guide, craftily arranges to remove his youthful charge from the island so that the search for Odysseus can continue his quest. Although Telemachus must fight for his father, Eucharis doesn't want to let him go out of the fight for love.
The dispute between two warring cities, Rome and Alba Longa stressed the importance of masculine self-sacrifice for ones country and patriotism in 669 B.C. The three Horatii brothers express their loyalty and solidarity with Rome before battle, wholly supported by their father. Out of the three brothers, only one shall survive the confrontation and so one did. The surviving brother was able to kill the other three fighters from Alba Longa when he chased the three fighters, causing them to separate from each other, and then, in turn, kills each Curiatii brother. These men fought for family but most of all they fought for Rome.
Attempted Massacre of Blackfeet Indians at Fort McKenzie, Charles M. Russell, ca. 1922, From the collection of: Amon Carter Museum of American Art
The Blackfeet and the whites who was led by Alexander Harvey came to a agreement of a peaceful trade and share. The Blackfeet Indians were attack during a trade at the Fort Mckenzie by Alexander. The white had hidden cannon to attack for revenge of the death of Chardon's black servant, which the Blackfeet was responsible for. The morals and motive of Alexander made him enemies to the Blackfeet Indians. As the Indian became enemies to the whites from the disagreement of the way they live. Its a showing of man fighting for what they feel is right and wrong. The dominate action comes in play when the man feels in need to prove their point as how Alexander led his men on to attacking the Indians. Indians respond to order Chardon out of the Indian country.
Sacrifice of Isaac, Caravaggio Merisi, 1603 - 1604, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
Abraham was told a task to do from god to sacrifice his son, Isaac. God told Abraham to take his only son Isaac to the region of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains. The battle began within himself, Abraham knew he needed to keep his faith of God and do as told along with thought that sacrificing his only son was a terrible thing to do. Abraham chose to go with his faith of God's command. On the third day, they arrived at the mountain so Abraham could complete his task. Isaac began to build curiosity from the lamb not being around for burnt offering. Abraham laid Isaac on a altar then reach for the knife to slay his son. Abraham name was shout from the angel of the Lord to stop the sacrifice. The angel explained that he has proven his fear and faith of god.
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