Criminals: They aren't just for breakfast anymore

Reading the Old Bailey online was a rather interesting and educational experience. For those readers who have not perused this archive, either go to here for a description of some obscure crimes (for instance, did you know that cursing the king was illegal?) or here for the front page.

Another place to find gloriously delicious tales of criminals (especially fine if you do not mind the odd sensationalist lean) would be at The Newgate section of www.exclassics.com. Most noteable for this reader was William Cady , a man exaggerated in his hateful likeability, rivalled only by the wonderful Richard III. Reading him brings to mind the question, "why do we love those despicable characters who are meant to bring our hatred?" As an avid horror movie enthusiast, I am constantly loving the boogeyman, the serial killer, and all different forms of creatures, slithering disgusting beasts, that I should, according to sensibility, be scorning. Perhaps it is, as a critic of children's literature speaks, the childish, innocent part of us calls out for vengeance, for justice without mercy, while the wicked, adult part of us becomes more satisfied with mercy... so perhaps the side of us that cheers as the man with spikes through his face (I am thinking specifically of Clive Barker style horror classics such as Hellraiser ).

For information on the critic I above quoted, see J. R. R. Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories" from Monster and the Critics.

At any rate, criminals are a delightfully entertaining read, if not a morbid fascination. The plethora of crime "shows" on the television attests to our morbidity.

We are all sick sick people.

I am going to go play XIII now. God bless rocket-launchers.