I used to hate Corkus too. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. I think he represents a side most human beings have, but few of us admit it, or want to be reminded of it. Corkus is "worldly". He cares about being successful in a way that is socially acceptable. He's also greedy when it comes to both wealth and women. During the ball, he's the one that enjoys the attention of the ladies, he even boasts and makes himself look more like a fierce warrior than he actually is. He cares about them becoming nobles, he seems to be the one who cares most about settling down and having everything he needs now that the band is successful. I would call him materialistic, but also logical and cynical.
None of the other major characters in the band seem to care about that as much, they're more into Griffith, what he's gonna do and following him. Judeau is still himself, and he has his skills, being kinda the ninja character of the band. Pippin is the quiet tank (gives the feel of a native american cheiftain), Rickert is the little cute happy kid, Caska is the crazy bitch with issues, Guts is the unrelenting warrior constantly seeking to prove himself in battle, and Griffith is the one with the dream. Everyone's got his role, and even after the success of the band all of the other members aren't all that exited over the fame itself, they seem more happy that they made it and Griffith finally succeeded. But Corkus really seems to be that tired old dude who just wants to get "made" in the world. He doesn't have any skills or a personality trait that really fits in with the group to improve it, he doesn't seem to have any self-fulfilling goals other than just becoming a rich ass ex-mercenary pimp noble gangster. He even led a band of mercenaries before he joined the band of the Hawk, but it all went to hell. So he used to have a dream of his own, but now he's joined Griffith and wants to ride his wave into success.
But really, Corkus is the typical "fuck bitches, get money" kinda guy. He's a fucking gangster. And he gets angry and hateful if anyone gets in his way. He's spent his entire lifetime going through failures, and THIS TIME, he follows a leader he believes in. Anyone get in the way of that dream coming true, he's gonna hate the person. Naturally. And I think Guts understands this, most of the members in the band just want to be able to live well, comfortably and be happy. So I guess that's partly why he's calm and tolerant of the criticism. And I think he understands the emotions, the hate, but he can't help being himself and he too follows his feelings. And naturally, there's gonna be clashes there. Guts probably also understands that Corkus is a "worldly" or materialistic person, therefore he doesn't understand Guts' calling for self-realization.. so he stays calm.. and he doesn't really get angry about it.
The thing about Corkus as a character that makes him easy to hate, is just that emotion, hate. He hates Guts. He really gets angry and doesn't give a fuck. He sees Guts like a nobody, like a tool to be used by Griffith, and treats him like that too. And I guess that insensitivity is what kinda makes alot of people dislike Corkus, even though he's honest. He uses the attention at the ball after the band's success, he tries to get the most he can get for himself out of every situation. And when they rescue Griffith and discover his state, he's the first one to really spread a major negative vibe. So sure, he's serious, realistic and represents some emotions that most people would feel, but most importantly of all, I think Miura made Corkus character in such a way that the reader would feel that Corkus' behavior is natural and commonly found in most people, but it's behavior that we should all avoid in order to become honourable human beings.
I've honestly seen alot of Corkus in myself as I've read Berserk, some feelings that I feel I never let out (which is a good thing), and in some instances I've felt shame when I realized I've done something similar to someone. Corkus comes from a place of a person who is overly materialistic, doesn't understand spiritual self-fulfillment and isn't particularly sensitive to feelings that go beyond money and pussy, except for his loyalty to Griffith, that he only has until he realizes Griffith can no longer provide him with the money and pussy.
So I think we all can learn alot from Corkus. He is dishonourable, but we all have that aspect within us. That aspect that acts all cool and tough with hubris, hates people who are actually geniuses, only prioritizes material things and doesn't understand much beyond that... but is really a weak human being at the core... and when disaster strikes, he rationalizes is all as a dream, and seeks consolation in the arms of a naked woman - which leads to his death. He is dishonourable, right until his last moment. I think it's good to face that aspect of ourselves, and try to kill it. And I think Guts might see some of Corkus in himself aswell, I think everyone does, but he feels sorry for him.. and really, when you see someone who has a weakness that you can relate to, saying "Well I've been exactly where you've been, I know why you think like that" is probably the worst thing you can say to them. The best thing you can do is listen, and sometimes criticism is legit, but sometimes when it's not, the best thing you can do is just to provide them with an example. Sure Guts made some mistakes here and there, but he followed his heart, and his heart extended to desires higher than money and pussy. That is honourable.
None of the other major characters in the band seem to care about that as much, they're more into Griffith, what he's gonna do and following him. Judeau is still himself, and he has his skills, being kinda the ninja character of the band. Pippin is the quiet tank (gives the feel of a native american cheiftain), Rickert is the little cute happy kid, Caska is the crazy bitch with issues, Guts is the unrelenting warrior constantly seeking to prove himself in battle, and Griffith is the one with the dream. Everyone's got his role, and even after the success of the band all of the other members aren't all that exited over the fame itself, they seem more happy that they made it and Griffith finally succeeded. But Corkus really seems to be that tired old dude who just wants to get "made" in the world. He doesn't have any skills or a personality trait that really fits in with the group to improve it, he doesn't seem to have any self-fulfilling goals other than just becoming a rich ass ex-mercenary pimp noble gangster. He even led a band of mercenaries before he joined the band of the Hawk, but it all went to hell. So he used to have a dream of his own, but now he's joined Griffith and wants to ride his wave into success.
But really, Corkus is the typical "fuck bitches, get money" kinda guy. He's a fucking gangster. And he gets angry and hateful if anyone gets in his way. He's spent his entire lifetime going through failures, and THIS TIME, he follows a leader he believes in. Anyone get in the way of that dream coming true, he's gonna hate the person. Naturally. And I think Guts understands this, most of the members in the band just want to be able to live well, comfortably and be happy. So I guess that's partly why he's calm and tolerant of the criticism. And I think he understands the emotions, the hate, but he can't help being himself and he too follows his feelings. And naturally, there's gonna be clashes there. Guts probably also understands that Corkus is a "worldly" or materialistic person, therefore he doesn't understand Guts' calling for self-realization.. so he stays calm.. and he doesn't really get angry about it.
The thing about Corkus as a character that makes him easy to hate, is just that emotion, hate. He hates Guts. He really gets angry and doesn't give a fuck. He sees Guts like a nobody, like a tool to be used by Griffith, and treats him like that too. And I guess that insensitivity is what kinda makes alot of people dislike Corkus, even though he's honest. He uses the attention at the ball after the band's success, he tries to get the most he can get for himself out of every situation. And when they rescue Griffith and discover his state, he's the first one to really spread a major negative vibe. So sure, he's serious, realistic and represents some emotions that most people would feel, but most importantly of all, I think Miura made Corkus character in such a way that the reader would feel that Corkus' behavior is natural and commonly found in most people, but it's behavior that we should all avoid in order to become honourable human beings.
I've honestly seen alot of Corkus in myself as I've read Berserk, some feelings that I feel I never let out (which is a good thing), and in some instances I've felt shame when I realized I've done something similar to someone. Corkus comes from a place of a person who is overly materialistic, doesn't understand spiritual self-fulfillment and isn't particularly sensitive to feelings that go beyond money and pussy, except for his loyalty to Griffith, that he only has until he realizes Griffith can no longer provide him with the money and pussy.
So I think we all can learn alot from Corkus. He is dishonourable, but we all have that aspect within us. That aspect that acts all cool and tough with hubris, hates people who are actually geniuses, only prioritizes material things and doesn't understand much beyond that... but is really a weak human being at the core... and when disaster strikes, he rationalizes is all as a dream, and seeks consolation in the arms of a naked woman - which leads to his death. He is dishonourable, right until his last moment. I think it's good to face that aspect of ourselves, and try to kill it. And I think Guts might see some of Corkus in himself aswell, I think everyone does, but he feels sorry for him.. and really, when you see someone who has a weakness that you can relate to, saying "Well I've been exactly where you've been, I know why you think like that" is probably the worst thing you can say to them. The best thing you can do is listen, and sometimes criticism is legit, but sometimes when it's not, the best thing you can do is just to provide them with an example. Sure Guts made some mistakes here and there, but he followed his heart, and his heart extended to desires higher than money and pussy. That is honourable.