Cruelty

Brutality is an attitude or behavior which is characterized by ruthlessness, cruelty and violence. In Meyers Lexicon from 1888 brutality is noted as " bestial, crude behavior ".

The word is from Late Latin brutal Brutalis ( "animal ", " unreasonable" ) is derived, which itself again in Latin brutus ( " clumsy ", " raw " ) back. It is in use since the 17th century.

On the word brutus also the identical Roman epithet goes back. The best-known bearer of this name was Marcus Junius Brutus, one of Caesar's murderers. One of Brutus ' ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus, who was related to the royal house, had in fact made ​​the announcement after stupid compared to his more powerful relatives, so as not to appear as a threat. He took advantage of by leaders participated in the removal of the monarchy and the first consul of the new Republic.

Film and Television

See main article: portrayal of violence in the media.

The share of brutality in mass media such as film and television has grown with time more and more. Was inappropriate in the beginning of the film brutality in films, have the preference for depictions of violence, for example, increased steadily in Hollywood productions. To cite just one among other splatter films popularity. Even so-called " hardcore wrestling ", marked by the explicit representation of brute force pro-wrestling is very popular due to a high entertainment value.

Crime

As a manifestation of the crime, the brutality is a Rohheitsdelikt, that is a particularly serious infringement of the right to physical integrity. When fixing the penalty for violent crimes, the " special cruelty or brutality " taken into account. Because brutality is not measurable, the judge be able to benefit a certain latitude.