The men weren't punished at all. That's the rub.
You could argue that the DO only punishes intentional betrayal rather than just failure. I mean the DO himself has apparently failed to break free for who knows how many times. That could make him more willing to tolerate it when a minion fails than your average evil overlord.
In the case of the women however, there was more there than failure.
Aginor
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Was killed by Rand but showed no disloyalty to the DO that I can recall.
Asmodean
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Betrayed the DO by helping Rand. It is actually quite possible that if the DO had managed to capture him, Asmodean would have faced punishment and torture far beyond even rape. However we know that Asmodean was beyond the DO's ability to bring back so he got away. His "escape" could actually have pissed off the DO a bit and been a black mark for Graendal.
Balthamel
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Like Aginor, did not betray the DO.
Be'lal
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Opposed the Dragon Reborn by trying to steal Callandor and got balefired. Both beyond the DO, and showed no disloyalty.
Demandred
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We don't know what he is doing, but he has shown no disloyalty.
Graendal
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I have yet to read the book so this is a bit iffy. However I do know that she deliberately murdered another chosen during a time when the DO was already running low and at a time when the end was imminent. That could well be viewed as betrayal more than incompetence.
Ishamael
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He has done much for the DO. And we and the DO both know that he is absolutely loyal.
Lanfear
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Helped Rand grow stronger and therefore betrayed the DO. And even more, there were several occasions where she claimed to Rand that she would be willing to fight the DO with him using the Choedan Kal. That is major treachery.
Mesaana
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She was directly ordered by the DO to go to the cleansing to stop Rand. It is possible that if she had, her presence would have made enough of a difference and the taint would still be there. Instead she knowingly refused to follow an order from the DO. Betrayal rather than failure. Especially since the forsaken who did go but failed utterly appear to not have been punished for that.
Moghedien
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Taught a lot of vital AoL knowledge to the DO's enemies. Major betrayal.
Rahvin
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Loyal and balefired.
Sammael
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This is a bit of a unique case since he was apparently loyal, but was taken out with the help of Moridin. It is possible though that the DO ordered this because he knew somehow that this would create the link between Rand.
Semirhage
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Was loyal, but as has been said, in her case it was not about actual punishment, but simply sacricing a pawn to achieve what the DO wanted.
So basically, betrayal gets you punished, while the DO understands failure.
My first impressions of ToM (Spoilers of Doom inside!)
31/10/2010 02:24:12 PM
- 1955 Views
I just got my copy this morning
01/11/2010 02:10:44 PM
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Re: I just got mines this morning
01/11/2010 02:32:39 PM
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Ishamael single-handedly gave Rand the most reason to resist temptation to the Dark
01/11/2010 02:47:01 PM
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Re: Ishamael single-handedly gave Rand the most reason to resist temptation to the Dark
01/11/2010 05:54:16 PM
- 872 Views
Re: Ishamael single-handedly gave Rand the most reason to resist temptation to the Dark
01/11/2010 06:35:15 PM
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Re: Ishamael single-handedly gave Rand the most reason to resist temptation to the Dark
01/11/2010 09:13:31 PM
- 666 Views
Yes it was...
01/11/2010 03:28:53 PM
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That's upsetting to me.
01/11/2010 03:46:11 PM
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It upset me too..
01/11/2010 04:15:08 PM
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Re: It upset me too..
01/11/2010 05:49:50 PM
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He isn't being arbitrary..
01/11/2010 07:07:40 PM
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Re: He isn't being arbitrary..
01/11/2010 08:58:22 PM
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Huh?
01/11/2010 09:30:56 PM
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Re: Huh?
01/11/2010 10:40:52 PM
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But...
01/11/2010 10:47:47 PM
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Re: But...
01/11/2010 11:35:20 PM
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Graendal...
01/11/2010 11:53:15 PM
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Re: Graendal...
02/11/2010 04:08:19 AM
- 790 Views
Really? I'd say that is the ultimate way to punish her as it takes away her sexual Power
02/11/2010 04:23:25 AM
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Re: Really? I'd say that is the ultimate way to punish her as it takes away her sexual Power
02/11/2010 07:12:46 PM
- 637 Views
I would have liked it if she were sent into a vacuole where time had no meaning.
03/11/2010 01:58:28 PM
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If you're right, the series is saying that sexism is evil. I don't see a problem with that. *NM*
02/11/2010 03:03:21 AM
- 365 Views