Did Hawkeye/Ronin Become a Bad Guy in Avengers: Endgame?

In Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton, more commonly known as Hawkeye, takes on a darker persona as Hawkeye/ Ronin after the devastating loss of his family due to Thanos’ snap. Following this snap, he is driven by grief and rage, leading to a transformation where he becomes a vigilante seeking vengeance against the criminals responsible for the chaos in the world.

The Moral Dilemma

Hawkeye is not portrayed as a traditional bad guy in the conventional sense. He kills a considerable number of criminals and drug dealers, justifying his actions as a sort of vigilante justice. He reasons that because his family died, these criminals deserve to die as well. This mind-set leads him into a killing spree, fueled by a sense of helplessness and a desire for vengeance.

Clint's Target Selection

From the information available, it seems Clint was targeting a particularly nasty group of criminals, possibly including arms dealers, human traffickers, or terrorists. These were individuals without any special abilities, but they were engaging in extreme violence and activities that contributed to the chaos in the world. Unlike his previous missions with SHIELD, where he insisted on seeing evidence and verifying the guilt of his targets, Hawkeye’s current actions appear more reckless and without oversight.

Hawkeye's Extrajudicial Activities

Clint’s transformation into Ronin involves extrajudicial actions, meaning he takes on tasks personally and executes them without the usual checks and balances provided by government authorities. He does not just disrupt operations or achieve missions; he seeks out and personally incapacitates his targets, leaving a significant body count and messy situations behind. This level of intensity and disregard for the legal process is what eventually catches the attention of Natasha Romanoff.

Natasha's Intervention

Natasha pointed out Hawkeye’s actions to him, leading to a difficult conversation and a return to a more balanced and careful approach. This intervention helps to ground Hawkeye and reminds him of the importance of adhering to ethical standards and not succumbing to revenge-driven actions.

Conclusion

Hawkeye’s transformation into Ronin is a complex and morally gray area. While his actions may seem justified in the context of his grief and desire for justice, they also reflect a dangerous lack of restraint and a disregard for the principles he once upheld. Ultimately, the series seeks to balance his thirst for vengeance with the need to maintain ethical standards and responsibility.

Through Hawkeye’s journey, the film explores themes of grief, redemption, and the moral weight of one’s decisions, making him a nuanced and relatable character rather than a traditional villain.