The definition of a coward is one to show fear, the barber shows he is a coward by being afraid, seconding guessing himself, and showing weakness. When the captain walks into the barber shop he begins to quiver on the spot, therefore showing how fearful his is of the captain. For example “ When I recognized him I started to tremble.” The barber without a doubt is showing terror. When you’re brave and courageous you never doubt yourself and stick to your guns, however the barber does not. In other words, when you plan on doing something you should never back down. On the other hand the barber does back down.
For instance, “ But what would I do with the body? Where would I hide it? I would have to flee…” Here he begins to think about what would happen if he did kill the captain and therefore leading him to not kill. In addition, the barber says “ No one deserves to have someone else make the sacrifice of becoming a murderer.” In other words he is trying to say he doesn’t deserve to be the one to kill him and be called a murderer.
Finally, the barber gives off vulnerability by thinking of reducing the amount of pain and suffering to the captain. For example, the barber thinks to himself “ I’m sure that one solid stroke, one deep incision, would prevent any pain. He wouldn’t suffer.” Caring for the enemy and trying to minimize the amount of pain they will have is true acts of a coward. In conclusion being fearful, doubting oneself, and giving off weakness is a sure fire sign of a coward.
