FORONDA, KENNETH R.

07/11/2018
BSECE - 3 RE 4

REFLECTION PAPER
“from the movie The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)”

The movie depicts about Louis XIV, a king who ruled France cold-heartedly & even lustfully. When he
becomes responsible for sending a soldier, Raoul, to his death so he can have his love, Christine, Raoul’s
retired musketeer father and two other retirees band together to overthrow the king. Captain D’Artagnan
does not agree with his king but is loyal to him and refuses to be a part of the musketeers’ plan. However,
they learn that Louis has a secret good twin brother named Phillippe, who has been imprisoned in the castle
and his face hidden behind an iron mask.

Relating this to the Ten Commandments, somehow, some of the characters in the movie violates the
ten commandments. The most visualize is the ninth commandment, which is the “You shall not covet your
neighbor’s wife”. Louis XIV obviously put Raoul on the front of the platoon to be shot instantly in the war, and
this results that Louis XIV got Christine as his lover. Another one is the fifth commandment, saying “You shall
not kill”. This commandment is seen in the scenario when Louis XIV stabbed D’Artagnan. The second
commandment, as said “You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God in vain”. It is seen when Louis XIV
said that he won’t go to hell because he is ordained by God. It is like he misunderstood that if he is ordained
by God, then he must to the right thing as God has been done.

Today in real world, these situations that violates the Ten Commandments is somehow, obvious in the
eyes of the society; killing, stealing, having an unethical affair, etc. Of course, the life which has been shaped
by Jesus Christ is also marked by love, repentance, hope, and so forth. And these qualities are distinct from
obedience to the Ten Commandments. What is true, however, is that a life which is not shaped by this
obedience cannot be a life where faith, hope and love are flourishing. To run afoul of the Ten Commandments
is thus to live a life which is not centered on Jesus Christ. The Ten Commandments, then, are like reflectors on
a highway. They warn us of danger. They warn us when our life with God is headed in the wrong direction.
They warn us when our life with God is careening toward danger.