Characters
Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.
— Lord Farquaad • Shrek
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
A leader announces that some of those following will die, then dismisses the loss as an acceptable price. The word sacrifice does cynical work here, because the one deciding is not the one paying. It reveals casual cruelty presented as noble duty.
Context reviewed