The Vlad Enigma
Background Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_the_Impaler
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Ţepeş in Romanian), also known as Vlad Dracula, or simply Dracula (1431 – December 1476), was a Wallachian (present-day southern Romania) voivode. His three reigns were in 1448, 1456–1462, and 1476. Vlad the Impaler is known for the exceedingly cruel punishments he imposed during his reign.[1] Impalement was Ţepeş's preferred method of torture and execution.[2]
Story
There are many historical accounts of Vlad Tepes. In two of them, the same story is told, but the outcome of the story is different. The story regards the travels of two monks. They are both lost in a storm at night and they happen upon VladÂ’s fortress and beg him for shelter for the night. Vlad, fancying himself as a good Christian man, welcomes the monks into this castle and proceeds to invite the monks to a feast. As the story goes, Vlad asks both monks a question.
“What do you think of my rule?”
The monks, who are both knowledgeable about Vlad, the politics of the region, and VladÂ’s harsh policies, give two distinct answers. One monk tells Vlad the truth and says that his rule is harsh, unchristian, inhumane. The other monk tells Vlad that his rule, although harsh, is just considering the times, and is the only real choice a good Christian can make.
Vlad has one of the monks impaled on the spot. Depending on the historical account, Vlad either impales the flatterer or the monk who tells Vlad the truth. Which monk did Vlad impale? Why?
The Enigma
If you were one of the monks in this situation, what would you do? Would you tell Vlad the truth or would you tell him what he wanted to hear?
Some interesting conclusions can be drawn depending on the answer you give.
For example, people who decide to tell Vlad the Truth may have a great deal of courage in the face of death and are naïve enough to believe that even someone like Vlad the Impaler might suddenly see the error of his ways. These people tend to be very trusting and make good public servants and/or bureaucrats.
One the other hand, people who decide to flatter Vlad, tend to have a more pragmatic view of society and are good survivalists. They also tend toward cynicism, paranoia, and a general distrust of authority. These people often tend to make a living on their own and prefer to take care of their kith and kin above all.
Of course this is a gross simplification, but then again, the point of this enigma is to provoke discussion.
Background Information
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vlad_III_the_Impaler
Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Ţepeş in Romanian), also known as Vlad Dracula, or simply Dracula (1431 – December 1476), was a Wallachian (present-day southern Romania) voivode. His three reigns were in 1448, 1456–1462, and 1476. Vlad the Impaler is known for the exceedingly cruel punishments he imposed during his reign.[1] Impalement was Ţepeş's preferred method of torture and execution.[2]
Story
There are many historical accounts of Vlad Tepes. In two of them, the same story is told, but the outcome of the story is different. The story regards the travels of two monks. They are both lost in a storm at night and they happen upon VladÂ’s fortress and beg him for shelter for the night. Vlad, fancying himself as a good Christian man, welcomes the monks into this castle and proceeds to invite the monks to a feast. As the story goes, Vlad asks both monks a question.
“What do you think of my rule?”
The monks, who are both knowledgeable about Vlad, the politics of the region, and VladÂ’s harsh policies, give two distinct answers. One monk tells Vlad the truth and says that his rule is harsh, unchristian, inhumane. The other monk tells Vlad that his rule, although harsh, is just considering the times, and is the only real choice a good Christian can make.
Vlad has one of the monks impaled on the spot. Depending on the historical account, Vlad either impales the flatterer or the monk who tells Vlad the truth. Which monk did Vlad impale? Why?
The Enigma
If you were one of the monks in this situation, what would you do? Would you tell Vlad the truth or would you tell him what he wanted to hear?
Some interesting conclusions can be drawn depending on the answer you give.
For example, people who decide to tell Vlad the Truth may have a great deal of courage in the face of death and are naïve enough to believe that even someone like Vlad the Impaler might suddenly see the error of his ways. These people tend to be very trusting and make good public servants and/or bureaucrats.
One the other hand, people who decide to flatter Vlad, tend to have a more pragmatic view of society and are good survivalists. They also tend toward cynicism, paranoia, and a general distrust of authority. These people often tend to make a living on their own and prefer to take care of their kith and kin above all.
Of course this is a gross simplification, but then again, the point of this enigma is to provoke discussion.
