Mercy and Forgiveness in Cobra Kai

• In Event: Representation of Women in Popular Culture

Abstract

John Kreese, the founder of Cobra Kai dojo, teaches his students to "Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy." Kreese claims that mercy makes people weak. But the series Cobra Kai shows that mercy is not weakness, but as Portia in The Merchant of Venice says, it is "mightiest in the mightiest." We grant mercy to those who wrong us out of our goodness not theirs and out of hope to receive it in return. A humane and decent moral education includes knowing when to admit a mistake and to rectify misdeeds. The problem with the Cobra Kai creed is that it teaches only self-preservation and avoids the introspection that is required to admit a wrong. Doing what’s right means owning up to failures. Mercy is "above" the demand of justice and so is freely given like a gift--an opportunity to transform and grow. Mercy is a corrective to justice, which is often difficult to discern. Those who wrong others today were often wronged by someone in the past. Kreese, Tory, and Johnny were bullied or mistreated in their pasts. Johnny gives Kreese a second chance largely because he hopes for a second chance. Not only does Johnny want to become a better man than he has been but also to repair his relationship with his estranged son, Robby. One cannot hope receive what one is unwilling to give.

Author

• Elizabeth Amato, Gardner-Webb University