Why Does Ban Call Hawk ‘Master’?

Ban phrases his refusal to die as ‘mastering the will to live’. This is an application of Nietzsche’s will to power doctrine, which asserts that the denial of death leads to the preservation of life. 

Its artful oration about mastering death leads Klappert and his audience into a discourse on mastery in general. The conclusion inferred is that mastery requires both knowledge and action. Ban was an ever-learning man, he left us with many things for us to ponder.

Ban’s refusal to die is also a rejection of his socio-economic status as the son of peasants; therefore excellence transcends social standing (Mastery could be achieved by anyone). 

It remitates death as a metaphor to explain his personal experience and perception of life. Ban’s homoerotic literature is symbolic of his passion for masculinity and sexuality, he wants to embrace life and keep it forever.

Here is the answer for, why does ban call hawk master ?

Ban’s refusal to die is also an example of the archetype of the strong man or even demigod due to his physical prowess, athleticism, and stamina. 

It is the embodiment of manliness; he embodies the hero . Ban demonstrates mastery by combining skill with “manly virtues” such as fortitude, daring, ambition, self-mastery etc. In other words, Ban’s mastery is symbolized by the manliness of his words and body (tendon-power).

Here are some more points about Why Ban Calls Hawk ‘Master’:-

1. Ban’s refusal to die is not only an act of resistance.

Ban’s defiant attitude can be described by the following quotation: “It is not that I would kill myself because I was afraid, but I would rather die than be afraid.” 

Ban acknowledges his fear by saying that he knew death was coming up to him, which implied that he was ready for his inevitable death. His speech on mastering death is a speech about “envisioning” and “realizing” life which is fraught with the threat of death.

2. Ban’s refusal to die was a creative act.

Ban’s speech encourages the audience to take hold of life and death. Ban’s literary masterpiece (essay) de-assertively presents death as such: “I heard my heart, which has been beating for so long, and I feel it is going to stop beating soon. Therefore I am going to do something about it.”

3. It was an intellectual decision and did not reflect upon his body and mind.

Ban’s refusal to die is a physical act of defiance, but it is an intellectual decision as well. Ban discusses the metaphysical question about what death is and how it can be mastered. 

It discusses ‘presence’ as an inevitable part of the human condition, he also talks about being away from his loved ones during this particular experience.

4. It was not just about death or dying.

Ban’s refusal to die is not only about his imminent death, but also about life in general. He says that the will/desire to live is strong enough to pull him back to life even though he knew death was coming towards him relentlessly. 

It challenges us to think about what we truly want and how we can achieve it, he points at us and says ” death does not come while we sleep, while we are eating or enjoying ourselves; death comes while we are not alive; while we do nothing at all.” Ban has an agenda for his audience (which is himself), it is a call to awaken.

5. Ban’s refusal to die was a conscious act of defiance.

Ban’s speech on mastering death was a symbolic action of defiance against the inevitable. 

It shows that he is still alive at the end of the essay by raising his head and saying “I have mastered my soul”.

6. It was not just for him, it was also an act of defiance against death.

Ban’s refusal to die is a pity on his loved ones that he would leave them behind. He is showing respect for the humanness of that situation. Ban wanted to show his love for his family and friends through his “body”, which was overcome by death’s presence. 

It regrets that he had not been able to live up to their expectations and his hopes as well as passed on by dying as a result of what he had (and hasn’t) accomplished in life (he says “I feel like I’m going somewhere, but where I don’t know; and I will never come back again”).

7. The audience is also made aware that death is a real and imminent threat

Ban’s defiance to death as he calls for master of death as a record of his experience and thoughts on how to cope with this ‘life and death’ crisis/situation. 

Wants us to “take hold” of our lives, the priceless gift we were given; Ban’s refusal to die is an invitation for us all, to take hold of life entirely.

Ban’s refusal to die reminds us all that life is a precious gift that we must not waste.