Itachi's Characterization.
Within actual life and fiction, two major types of heroes exist.
The one most think of is the typical hero – one who’s actions and aims become known to all and whose legacy is remembered for many years to come, even after they have passed away. These good guys– through their actions and ideals – inspire others and are a representation of strength or as role models that others can rely on for encouragement. They are a hero of light.
The second type of hero is one who lurks in the shadows – a hero who acts behind the scenes to help others, but who is never recognized for his/her efforts. Unlike the hero that stands within full view, this hero will never be remembered for their actions. On the contrary, they may be remembered as something they never really were to begin with or represented. They are a hero of the shadows.
It is because of this that the hero who is obscured by the shadows can commit acts no typical, normal hero would be forgiven for and, to this extent, such an individual may even adapt to a role that acts as a facade to their true nature for the sake of protecting the image of an ideal hero.
Both of these character types are equally important, because they both complete a role the other cannot. Unlike the hero of shadows, a hero of light can inspire others and give them something to look forward to, they offer hope. They represent an ideal and give those around them the courage to fight on in a time of difficulties and in doing so, act as a beacon of light. This would not be a possibility if the hero of light’s hands were stained with blood and marred with morally questionable actions. On another note, the hero of shadows is seen by none and so can act in a manner that is necessary for the good of all, even if those actions fall into the realm of moral obscurity.
In the Naruto world, both such heroes are present as well and where Naruto might be considered a hero of light – representing ideals that are considered justified and true – Itachi would be considered a hero of the shadows, whose actions – while never remembered for their real nature – were always committed for the greater good of others regardless of the questionable circumstances or manner in which they were committed. Even so, he still found himself in situations where he had no choice but to cross moral horizons. Nothing was ever done to benefit himself.
In the end, by becoming a sacrifice to garner the hatred of Konoha upon himself, Itachi would be able to spare his brother’s life, along with the sanctity of the Uchiha name, from the path of destruction. In this manner, he accomplished his role as a hero of the shadows, by committing a deed that no hero of light could commit. Whether you agree with his methods or not is another matter altogether, but the fact remains that Itachi made a choice based on his own perception and according to that point of view, the Uchiha were dead either way. The only factor left to consider for him was how they died and how much collateral damage he could prevent from being caused.
Mentioning darkness and light, you could say that the relationship between Naruto and Itachi is something like the relationship between light and shadow. The brighter a light shines, the darker the shadow surrounding it becomes and conversely to this, the stronger the shadow is, the stronger the light is shown. Basically, a shadow cannot exist without a light source to fuel its strength and, in a similar respect, Itachi’s strength comes from knowing that as a shadow that is in the darkness, there is a light he can rely on to carry his will through to the end.
Itachi paved the way for another “savior” to lead the world to salvation. In this case, for Itachi, and the Narutoverse as a whole- that savior was Naruto. By taking on the burden of staining his own hands with blood, Itachi left Naruto’s hands free of those stains.
In that respect, Itachi was one of the characters that laid the foundation for Naruto to lead the world into the future, aware that it is necessary for Naruto to remain in the light so that others may follow him. Itachi was content with dying as traitor because to him, the peaceful outcome is worth the pain so there is nothing to left for him to regret.
Tl;dr- This discusses Itachi's role and its effect on the story in regards to the titular main character, Naruto. (Since most characters that have influence in the story are connected to him/influenced him in some way or another.) Itachi fits in as an anti-hero/tragic hero. A “Hero of the Shadows”.
Within actual life and fiction, two major types of heroes exist.
The one most think of is the typical hero – one who’s actions and aims become known to all and whose legacy is remembered for many years to come, even after they have passed away. These good guys– through their actions and ideals – inspire others and are a representation of strength or as role models that others can rely on for encouragement. They are a hero of light.
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The second type of hero is one who lurks in the shadows – a hero who acts behind the scenes to help others, but who is never recognized for his/her efforts. Unlike the hero that stands within full view, this hero will never be remembered for their actions. On the contrary, they may be remembered as something they never really were to begin with or represented. They are a hero of the shadows.
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It is because of this that the hero who is obscured by the shadows can commit acts no typical, normal hero would be forgiven for and, to this extent, such an individual may even adapt to a role that acts as a facade to their true nature for the sake of protecting the image of an ideal hero.
Both of these character types are equally important, because they both complete a role the other cannot. Unlike the hero of shadows, a hero of light can inspire others and give them something to look forward to, they offer hope. They represent an ideal and give those around them the courage to fight on in a time of difficulties and in doing so, act as a beacon of light. This would not be a possibility if the hero of light’s hands were stained with blood and marred with morally questionable actions. On another note, the hero of shadows is seen by none and so can act in a manner that is necessary for the good of all, even if those actions fall into the realm of moral obscurity.
In the Naruto world, both such heroes are present as well and where Naruto might be considered a hero of light – representing ideals that are considered justified and true – Itachi would be considered a hero of the shadows, whose actions – while never remembered for their real nature – were always committed for the greater good of others regardless of the questionable circumstances or manner in which they were committed. Even so, he still found himself in situations where he had no choice but to cross moral horizons. Nothing was ever done to benefit himself.
In the end, by becoming a sacrifice to garner the hatred of Konoha upon himself, Itachi would be able to spare his brother’s life, along with the sanctity of the Uchiha name, from the path of destruction. In this manner, he accomplished his role as a hero of the shadows, by committing a deed that no hero of light could commit. Whether you agree with his methods or not is another matter altogether, but the fact remains that Itachi made a choice based on his own perception and according to that point of view, the Uchiha were dead either way. The only factor left to consider for him was how they died and how much collateral damage he could prevent from being caused.
Mentioning darkness and light, you could say that the relationship between Naruto and Itachi is something like the relationship between light and shadow. The brighter a light shines, the darker the shadow surrounding it becomes and conversely to this, the stronger the shadow is, the stronger the light is shown. Basically, a shadow cannot exist without a light source to fuel its strength and, in a similar respect, Itachi’s strength comes from knowing that as a shadow that is in the darkness, there is a light he can rely on to carry his will through to the end.
Itachi paved the way for another “savior” to lead the world to salvation. In this case, for Itachi, and the Narutoverse as a whole- that savior was Naruto. By taking on the burden of staining his own hands with blood, Itachi left Naruto’s hands free of those stains.
In that respect, Itachi was one of the characters that laid the foundation for Naruto to lead the world into the future, aware that it is necessary for Naruto to remain in the light so that others may follow him. Itachi was content with dying as traitor because to him, the peaceful outcome is worth the pain so there is nothing to left for him to regret.
Tl;dr- This discusses Itachi's role and its effect on the story in regards to the titular main character, Naruto. (Since most characters that have influence in the story are connected to him/influenced him in some way or another.) Itachi fits in as an anti-hero/tragic hero. A “Hero of the Shadows”.
