In Defense of Commodus

He is the villain - the antagonist to the protagonist of Maximus. But his he so purely evil? So devoid of anything but vengeance? Doubtful - he is more complex than that, conflicted with his emotions and eternally troubled by feelings of being unloved. So, in his defense...

1. Patricide: um...kind of undefenseable but I put it here because it his the first of his 'crimes'. This is basically a crime of passion, he wanted to be emperor because he needed to be emperor and he needed to feel like his father loved him and was proud of him. Those haunting words "I would butcher the whole world, if only you would love me..." sums it up. This issue haunts him throughout; in a cut scene from the film (seen on the DVD) he faces the bust of his father emotionally, eyes watering and a sneer forming, and promptly begins hacking it with his sword. After a few seconds he finally breaks down, dropping the sword and hugging the scratched and gashed statue sobbing "...father..."
2. Incest: um...so he has strong feelings for his sister...but seriously folks - he never rapes or really attempts to rape her. When he requests a kiss from her (after she refuses to stay the night with him) he expects a mouth kiss, but receives one on the forehead instead. As Lucilla walks away you see that knowing smile on his face, he knew he wouldn't get it, but he isn't crushed and hasn't given up. Also, he consistently shows devotion to Lucius and Lucilla. Even in the end, when he is punishing them and screaming "AM I NOT MERCIFUL?" the truth is, yeah, he is. At this point we are thinking he has lost it entirely so would you really be surprised if he did something drastic to her - but he doesn't.

3. Maximus' Fate & Family: Is Maximus not the very powerful general leading an army which threatens the power of the new Emperor? Yes...and so, by defying the Emperor and refusing to pledge allegiance is he not only treasonous but a dangerous enemy? Yes...and so, should not the Emperor be able to deal with this? Yes...justified for Maximus, (ignoring the whole murder of the emperor thing becuase you just have to deal with that)...and as for the family, it is a bit harsh but it is a complete punishment and you have to figure it is definately not the first time in Roman history! By the gods, have you seen what these people watch for entertainment!!??...
4. Rome: Any decent history teacher will tell you that the decline of Rome begins around the time of Commodus. Oh so what! This is a movie! A decent history teacher would also tell you that Lucius became emperor after Marcus Aurelius and then Commodus ruled. Anyways, Commodus has the right ideas. Love the people, help the people - the mob. Yes, in return he wants their love (see that - needy with love) and their allegiance to him as the emperor of an empire - but it is not like he has ulterior motives to gouge the citizens. So he was no great Caesar. He wasn't Nero either.
5. Coward: "I think you've been afraid all your life" ~ Maximus "Still afraid of the dark, brother?" ~ Lucilla "Still? Always..." ~ Commodus "I have other virtues...courage, perhaps not on the battlefield but there are many kinds of courage..." ~ Commodus Okay. So Maximus is a great invincible, courageous hero and Commodus is just an evil wimpy wuss. Whatever. In the end, he still went out there and fought ot he death, didn't he? Sure, there is that little cheating stab - but Maximus could still hurt, wound or kill him - and he did. So there. Pick up his damn body and carry him out too!!!