Wednesday, April 04, 2007

An odd couple

I'm probably centuries behind on this one, but I just got it. "Will" and "Grace". Maybe this wasn't meant, but I have to assume it was. It is odd, but not shocking that the writers or creators of that show (which I have seen more than a couple episodes of) would have chosen those two names both for the show and for the main characters. A show with characters and plots that openly promote homosexuality, substance abuse, and other various bad practices. Indeed, it would require grace AND will to find hope in this and many other shows like it over the past decade. (While I am aware of the, "but it has a good heart" argument I do not think that equals justification.) When I think of Grace and Will I think of the following things (though the common usage of these words is more broad)...

Defining Will:
-The faculty of conscious and especially of deliberate action.
-The power of choosing one's own actions.

Defining Grace:
-Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people.
-A favor rendered by one who need not do so.

Looking beyond the show however, I can't help but notice how much of an odd couple the two words are. Man has both grace and will as does God, but the two are not comparable and in fact often at odds. God's will is absolute and defies all reality as we know it. Existence itself hinges on God's will in fact. Man's will on the other hand is weak and hinges on our poor understanding of ourselves and the world we live in. Rarely do these wills align seeing as how man bases his will on his desire and what man desires is more. God on the other hand can have anything instantly, but holds back, waiting for man. God's desire then is not for "more" as man's is, because God has everything. God is giving and selfless while man is greedy and wicked. A clear view of the conflict of wills.

Truly, their is an abundance of things to think about on this topic. (Ie; God's will vs. man's will, God's grace vs. man's grace, God's grace vs. man's will, God's will vs. man's grace.) I don't know that it has a point right now and I'm not going to investigate it personally, but this realization of the show title will and grace (and it's depth) became apparent recently, sparking one of those "well isn't that neat" moments. Thought I'd share it.

1 comment:

jayamala said...

Yes, I think so too.It was nicely written.