CBR: Reciting The Green Lantern Oath

[CBR News]

With the release of the Green Lantern movie, the character's oath is on its way to penetrating the consciousness of the public at large. But do you know the full history of the phrase? CBR is here to fill in the blanks.


Full article here.

[C. Earl]

I admit that although I've been a Green Lantern fan for over ten years now, I really haven't started paying attention to the current oath until now--it was more a result of last year's Blackest Night ring promotion than the upcoming movie for me.

Yeah, as of just last week I finally committed it to memory, but I dare not say it out loud to anyone because I can't help but put a little dramatic emphasis on the last line..."...beware my power, Green Lantern's Light!"


Unfortunately, I tend to sound more like Tony the Tiger than Ryan Reynolds, oh, well...

[bongoes]

I love the oath, I don't know how long I've known it, but it's the kinda thing that once you learn it, you don't forget it. At least for me.

Unfortunately, I tend to sound more like Tony the Tiger than Ryan Reynolds, oh, well...

I'm hearing that in my head and it's awesome.

[spidarwin]

The word, "evil," appears twice in the oath. And I've always thought that it
kind of throws the cadence. Perhaps, "Let those who worship their own might..." ?

[johnnysmith322]

And don't forget this:

I think it was in the late '60's/early '70's that Hal changed the oath slightly. The word "blackest" was replaced with "darkest." He told Tom Kalmaku that he was becoming a bit politically correct. This from Green Lantern Vol. 3 #43.

So, PC predates the 21st century.

[Guicho]

And don't forget this:

I think it was in the late '60's/early '70's that Hal changed the oath slightly. The word "blackest" was replaced with "darkest."

No, late 60's/early 70's it was definitely still always the classic oath -


And that continued with Hal well into the 80's and beyond...

He told Tom Kalmaku that he was becoming a bit politically correct. This from Green Lantern Vol. 3 #43.

So, PC predates the 21st century.

I don’t think that version of the Oath you mention was even introduced until the mid 90’s late into Gerard johns’ run, and he's the only one who ever used it. And even then his Green Lantern, Hal and the Corps were all destroyed like 5 or 6 issues later ?
From Green Lantern Vol. 3 #43

[RickIsley]

I like how Hal decided to wear the uniform into the candy shop.

[stk]

I like how Hal decided to wear the uniform into the candy shop.

I like how the shopkeeper studiously avoids looking at the crazy guy wearing a leotard. "Time to...uh...polish this mirror... or something"

[Sijo]

I recall that at one point, the Oath was a mnemonic device, that is, a way to remember how long to press the ring to the battery to charge it. Similar to how we say "one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi etc." to keep track of seconds. ...Why they just didn't use a watch or something was never explained.

(In the Batman: The Brave and The Bold cartoon, it seems to be actually necessary to say the oath to charge the rings.)

Anyway, the oath is indeed a unique thing of Green Lantern lore, and makes them sound even cooler.

[Guicho]

So anyone here actually have their Oath on The Green Lantern Infinite Oath site? -http://greenlanternmovie.warnerbros.com/oath/

[Crusader K]

At one time, the different Corps members each had their own oath. I believe that this was depicted in the Green Lantern Corp miniseries where they first took on Nekron. Some had their own, some recited Hal's out of respect and some had none!

[Thad]

In loudest din or hush profound
My ears catch evil's slightest sound
Let those who toll out evil's knell
Beware my power -- the F Sharp Bell!

[TommyRaiko]

At one time, the different Corps members each had their own oath. I believe that this was depicted in the Green Lantern Corp miniseries where they first took on Nekron. Some had their own, some recited Hal's out of respect and some had none!

I always liked the one from that series that went "From lantern comes the gift we give, to shed light's grace on all that live." (I think it was used by the gaseous or gelatinous alien GL Eddore of Tront.) I always admired how it articulates a less adversarial, more philosophical view of the responsibilities of being a Green Lantern...

[Flashpoint]

I recall that at one point, the Oath was a mnemonic device, that is, a way to remember how long to press the ring to the battery to charge it. Similar to how we say "one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi etc." to keep track of seconds. ...Why they just didn't use a watch or something was never explained.

(In the Batman: The Brave and The Bold cartoon, it seems to be actually necessary to say the oath to charge the rings.)

Anyway, the oath is indeed a unique thing of Green Lantern lore, and makes them sound even cooler.

Agreed. It's one of the things right up there with "May The Force Be With You," "Live Long And Prosper" and other sci-fi phrases. Though I think in terms of how to categorize it, the GL Oath is more like America's Pledge of Allegiance.

[dupersuper]

I love the oath; my favourite take so far is Phil Lamar as John Stewart on JLU, but I'm happy to give Reynolds and company a chance to top it.