Black Butler: The Contract Between Ciel Phantomhive And Sebastian Michaelis, Explained

Key Takeaways

A Faustian contract binds Black Butler’s main characters in an unbreakable pact with specific conditions.
Summoning a demon requires desperation and disbelief in god, leading to a painful contract seal.
Ciel and Sebastian’s unique contract forces Sebastian to stay loyal until Ciel’s revenge, linked to a seal on Ciel’s eye.

As a seasoned fan of the dark and enchanting world of Black Butler, I can confidently say that this series has managed to enthrall me with its complex narratives and intricate characters. The Faustian Contract at the heart of the story is undeniably one of the most compelling aspects, serving as a testament to the creative brilliance of its creators.

In Black Butler, the storyline is intriguing and layered, set against a backdrop of a dark, cityscape and filled with unsettling supernatural beings. At the heart of this intricate plot is the duo, Ciel Phantomhive and Sebastian Michaelis, who are bound together by a Faustian agreement. This unique pact, forged between a human and demon, is unshakable and can only be dissolved once the original terms have been fulfilled.

This contract isn’t like ordinary agreements because it’s filled with complicated rules that shape its foundations. But Ciel and Sebastian’s contract stands out even more, mainly due to the distinctive terms Ciel set when they made the pact. These unique stipulations have created a complex relationship between them, making them seem almost unbreakable.

What Is a Faustian Contract?

A Deal With the Devil

Black Butler: The Contract Between Ciel Phantomhive And Sebastian Michaelis, Explained

The Faustian Pact serves as the foundation for the plot in ‘Black Butler’, where it represents an unbreakable agreement with the devil that can only be fulfilled once the terms of the pact are met. Summoning a demon is the initial, and often most challenging, part of sealing such a deal. Although one may intentionally summon a specific demon if they’re aware of its existence, it’s usually not necessary. In most cases, the demon is summoned due to the person’s dire need or desperation.

Yet, this intense longing should be accompanied by an absence of faith in a divine entity, creating a chance for a malevolent spirit to be conjured. Once the spirit is invoked, there’s still a possibility for the human to retreat from the agreement. Nevertheless, if the human gives an order to the spirit, they will then be obligated to establish a contract. Prior to the contract being finalized, both the human and the spirit must negotiate terms, such as how the spirit will obey its new master.

To ensure fairness in a contract, it’s crucial that the terms are clearly defined to prevent either party from exploiting ambiguous or subjective conditions. Once all details have been agreed upon, the final step is applying the contract seal on the individual, a process that can be uncomfortable or even painful depending on its location. In Ciel’s case, the seal was placed on his eye, a sensitive area that caused excruciating pain for the young boy.

What Makes Ciel and Sebastian’s Contract Unique?

The Contract Binds Sebastian to Ciel’s Side

In the world of Black Butler, there are numerous examples of human-demon contracts. Yet, the one between Ciel and Sebastian is unique in several ways. To begin with, it’s not common for someone so young to enter into a contract with a demon. However, an unusual circumstance led to Sebastian’s summoning – Ciel’s intense desire for revenge against those who murdered his parents became the catalyst.

To put it simply, the terms under which Ciel operated were such that they made it necessary for Sebastian to remain with him for an extended period. Instead of commanding Sebastian to eliminate his parents’ killers outright, he asked for the power to do so in retribution. This meant that Sebastian was obligated to stay by Ciel’s side until he could successfully avenge himself. Furthermore, Ciel established certain conditions that ensured Sebastian would be bound to him indefinitely.

Sebastian must obey Ciel’s orders unconditionally, no matter the severity of his commands.
Sebastian must never lie to Ciel.
Sebastian must protect Ciel until he obtains his revenge.

In a manner that left no room for deviation, these three conditions of the agreement bound Sebastian to remain faithful to Ciel. The last provision of the pact guaranteed that Sebastian would stand by Ciel’s side, as it was the only means to safeguard him. Yet, by accepting these terms, Ciel relinquished control over his own spirit. Once Ciel achieves his vengeance, his soul will be up for grabs by Sebastian, thus bringing an end to the agreement between this human-demon pair.

I want… power… the power to take revenge on the ones who did this to us!!

The Significance of the Placement of Ciel’s Seal

Ciel’s Seal Is Placed On His Right Eye

The placement of the contract seal might seem like a trivial aspect, yet this determines the strength of the contract. The intensity of the bond is determined by how visible the seal is, meaning the location of the seal is highly crucial. In Ciel’s case, he asked Sebastian to place the seal on his right eye.

Regardless of being somewhat uncomfortable, the marking on Ciel’s eye holds considerable importance because eyes are the most exposed human features. This means their connection is at its strongest. Because of this powerful bond, Sebastian, the demon, must follow every command given by his master, Ciel, without exception. Typically, Ciel hides this eye with an eyepatch, but when he gives an order to Sebastian, he uncovers it, symbolizing the sealing process.

Black Butler is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-11-06 19:05