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On June 28, 2024, Kasie and Rex continued their trek through the seven deadly sins with ‘envy’. Here are the show notes:

Theme for the day

Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Agenda

• Quick Catch Up
• Seven Deadly Sins: what are they?
• Focus on Envy

Segment 1

The Seven Deadly Sins (this link) in Roman Catholic theology, are the seven vices that spur other sins and further immoral behavior. First enumerated by Pope Gregory I (the Great) in the 6th century and elaborated in the 13th century by St. Thomas Aquinas.

The sins are:

1. Pride
2. Greed
3. Lust
4. Envy
5. Gluttony
6. Wrath
7. Sloth

We’ve done these before (episodes 151–157), but it’s been a while and this time we’re going to sharpen the focus on the sins as potential stakes-raising behaviors.

DeadlySins.com gives us this definition: “Envy is the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situation.” It happens when one is convinced others are smarter, luckier, more attractive, or better than themselves. The punishment is to be put in freezing water in the afterlife.  

Also according to DeadlySins.com, “medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Envy: “Envy according to the aspect of its object is contrary to charity, whence the soul derives its spiritual life… Charity rejoices in our neighbor’s good, while envy grieves over it.” (2, 36, ad 3)”

What kinds of characters are envious? 

What kinds of envy are there?

What famous characters have acted on envy to upend a protagonist’s efforts?

Segment 2

How do envious characters act? Let’s as AI! 

Envious characters may exhibit a variety of behaviors and characteristics, including:

• Negative talk: They may gossip or speak negatively about others, especially those who have something they desire.
• Resentment: They may feel threatened by others’ success or good fortune, which can lead to bitterness and resentment.
• Unhappiness: They may be unhappy when others around them are successful, and may find joy when others experience failure or setbacks.
• Judgment: They may frequently scrutinize or judge what other people are doing.
• Comparison: They may compare themselves to others.
• Dismissiveness: They may have a dismissive attitude.
• Downplaying: They may downplay the achievements of others.
• Frustration: They may feel frustrated or disbelief at others’ success.
• Longing: They may show signs of longing or desire.
• Grudging admiration: They may show grudging admiration.
• Copycat behavior: They may exhibit copycat behavior.
• Low self-esteem: They may show signs of low self-esteem.

Thank you, AI, for generating that list 🙂

Segment 3

Some common TV tropes associated with the sin of envy:

• Green-eyed monster
• Driven by envy – the character who is envious will believe the other character is as preoccupied with this as he is (think Aaron Burr vs. Hamilton) so if the protagonist is clueless (or, worse, benevolent) it’s twice as insulting to our envious character
• Always second best
• If I can’t have you, no one can

Segment 4

How is this done? Try this blog’s advice:

• Figure out why they’re jealous – a few options: low self esteem, insecurity, the desire to impress someone, a competitive situation or nature
• Figure out what they’re jealous of – this could be big (someone’s life that looks easy or comfortable) or small (someone’s getting attention the character wants)
• Establish why they can’t get that thing – what’s in the way of them achieving the thing they desire (and someone else has)
• It’s not always toxic – sometimes jealousy is motivating, sometime it’s an appreciation for someone else’s good fortune or achievement
• Emotions – all of them, there’s a wide variety of manifestations for jealousy and while some people feel sorrow, others might feel rage
• Personality – what is the character’s personality and is it within their arc to be jealous?