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James Bond, British author Ian Fleming’s timeless and captivating creation, most often than not is described as a suave spy who will light the fuse on any explosive situation. He is a danger to both himself and others around him.
Operating with a “kill first, ask questions later” motto, James is a blunt instrument whose primary method is to provoke and confront. A man nobody can get close to, a womaniser.
In “Die Another Day,” which came out in 2002, this is how Miranda Frost described James when bureau chief M asked her opinion on the most decorated spy in British intelligence agency MI6. Every bit of that description is true, and few who know James would disagree.
But before calling James a one-directional, sexist stereotype and the product of a bygone era, let us take a deep dive into the source material. Let us go back to “Casino Royale” – the novel that introduced James to the world in 1953.
James Bond – whose 00 designation gives him the licence to kill when necessary – is sent to France to play against Le Chiffre in a high-stakes game of baccarat. Chiffre is bankrupt, needs money to fund his illegal activities, and plans to use his winnings for the sinister purpose.
The MI6 sent James for the job not because he has the required charm, lethality and professionalism. This assignment required a cold, calculating mind that can read and counter enemy intentions.
James can be a thug or an assassin whenever he needs to be, but that is not all he is.
He is assigned a female companion named Vesper Lynd, who is the personal assistant to the head of Section S of the Soviet Union. Other countries are also participating in this game of baccarat in order to stop Le Chiffre, including the United States and France.
With a little help from his peers, James wins the game of cat and mouse with Chiffre, and leaves him penniless at the card table. Chiffre, understandably upset, kidnaps James and tortures him for the money’s location.
Chiffre also kidnaps Vesper. But James refuses to cooperate. Just when Chiffre was about to kill James, an agent of SMERSH (Russian military counterintelligence agency) assassinates Chiffre for failing to recoup the lost funds.
An efficient, broken machine
His gruesome torture at the hand of Chiffre did not break James, something else did. As he recuperated at a hospital, Vesper – his companion for the assignment – visited him every day. James gradually realises his love for Vesper.
Disillusioned with the morality of the Cold War, James decides to resign from his life as an agent of MI6. He wanted to marry Vesper, and retire from his high-octane lifestyle. For a brief moment in time, he was happy.
Fate however had other plans. He awakens one morning to find Vesper has committed suicide. She leaves behind a note, explaining that she was working as a double agent for the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs.
SMERSH kidnapped her lover – a Polish Royal Air Force pilot, then blackmailed her into helping them undermine James’ mission. Unable to cope with the stress of living two lives, and faced with the choice of either betraying her lover or James, Vesper decided to end her life.
James, with nothing to live for and nowhere to go, decided to keep working for MI6.
His downward spiral into alcoholism and hedonistic lifestyle never seems interfere with his lethal efficiency, while his reckless approach to assignments only makes his quasi-suicidal nature more apparent.
James remained in MI6 not to have adventures or save the world, because he is unable to cope with his despair over Vesper’s suicide. Cold and ruthless, he knows that sooner or later someone will put a bullet in him, and he will have his way out, one way or another.
James is a broken man who is terrifyingly efficient at his job, but derives little pleasure from it. MI6 puts up with his shenanigans because he is a useful asset, who will complete his assignment, or die trying.
In truth, James is seeking solace, a quantum of solace that only death can grant him.
