Watching War

“The ship’s telescopes revealed two vessels fighting about three miles away; but the wind brought them both so close to the French ship, that the passengers had the pleasure of watching the fight in comfort.”(p.93)

How do people pleasure in watching a battle? Much less find comfort in the way others ruthlessly kill each other?

As Martin and Candide voyage to Bordeaux they calmly come across this scene. Apparently, it is the most common thing to watch two ships tear each other to shreds, not do anything about it, and not fear that your ship might be attacked next. Who knew? Truthfully though, the flawed logic in this is outstanding! In reality battles are brutal and bloody and in fact the most unpleasant thing to witness.

Although at first they refer to the battle with words such as pleasure and comfort, later they seem to contradict their prior opinions. As the losing ship is swallowed by the sea, Martin says, “You see how men treat each other!”(p.93) To which Candide responds, “There is certainly something diabolical about that.”(p.93) It is true, there is definitely something diabolical about that, but even more diabolical is the fact that onlookers can observe with such apathy.  To watch fellow human beings killed and not grieve their death. To simply look on as if,  “all is for the best.” (p.20) Meanwhile, accepting this as “sufficient reason” (p.33) for their tragic fate.

Thing is, these two ships shouldn’t have been fighting in the manner that they were. Yet, it’s even a greater crime for Candide and Martin to have observed with the seemingly bored composure that they did.