4 ms·
Request for clemency of Mr. Assange to King Charles, the third
- turtleyacht 3y agoThat's not a request for clemency. It's the arc of the English word, loosed like an arrow.
- MichaelMoser123 3y agohe is asking for clemency without requesting it - i mean that's the point of quoting Matthew at the end of the letter. But I agree, this is an amazing piece of language...
- turtleyacht 3y agoThat's a good point: the verse at the end seems to be a request for mercy. Those who show mercy are shown such in return. But kings are not in need of mercy, being sovereign. So it seems more of a "You're a human being too, dude. And you'll get yours." All of his references in the letter support the latter. Check out the verses that sandwich Matthew 5:7: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. And Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Heartbreakingly, this could be interpreted as Assange is still convinced of his purpose, and that his suffering is... nearly over.