The Illusion of Power through Violence

Stael’s ambition to claim godhood through ritual and murder exposes the hollowness of power achieved through domination. His euphoric triumph is undercut by paranoia and creeping unease, revealing that violence and coercion are ultimately self-destructive. The murder of Fendelman—a man stripped of agency—serves as a stark illustration of how power fantasies corrupt the wielder as much as the victim. The theme critiques the cyclical nature of tyranny, where the pursuit of control perpetuates chaos and self-destruction.