Your Majesty would have a perfect right to strike off his head," said Peridan. "Such an assault as he made puts him on a level with assassins.""It is very true," said Edmund. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did." And he looked very thoughtful."
In the dialogue between Peridan and Edmund from "The Horse and His Boy," Peridan argues that a violent assault warrants severe punishment, equating the aggressor with an assassin. He believes that such actions deserve the utmost consequences, highlighting a strict viewpoint on justice.
Edmund, however, counters this perspective by suggesting that even traitors can change for the better. His contemplative stance reflects a belief in redemption and the possibility of forgiveness, illustrating a more nuanced understanding of human nature and morality. This exchange showcases the tension between justice and mercy, a central theme in the narrative.
