The Black Guardians "is a documentary series created by Gregory Burke, which showcases the history of the Black Guardians and the military scenes of the Iraq War through realism and military romanticism elements. The drama has received high praise in the UK and the US, and is considered a work with a strong sense of the times. Burke's plays usually use a realistic approach to reflect the lives and thoughts of contemporary Scottish lower class people, and explore social and political issues. The Black Guardian blurs the national stance and values of Scottish soldiers by deconstructing grand narratives such as honor, justice, and national identity, subverting the traditional war narrative of justice and injustice, good and evil, and the opposition between Scotland and England. The drama strikes a balance between exporting Scottish national culture, defending the internal unity of Great Britain, and strengthening the alliance with the United States, while highlighting the individual demands of soldiers, downplaying rational thinking, alleviating the sense of guilt of Western countries invading other countries during peacetime, and catering to the government will or mainstream ideology of countries such as Britain and the United States.

1、 The ambiguity of soldier image

Black Guardian creates a realistic atmosphere of war through scenes of switching between Scottish pubs and Dougwood Barracks in the Iraqi desert, as well as elements such as soldier dialogue, battlefield sound, and BBC interviews. The portrayal of soldiers in the drama is full of contradictions, including the pursuit of glory and achievement, as well as confusion and dissatisfaction with war. Soldiers revealed in interviews a compromise on military discipline and personal justice, as well as a love for sophisticated equipment and weapons. One of the highlights of the drama is soldier Kemi showcasing the history of the Black Guards through a fashion show, demonstrating his identification with historical traditions and mainstream values. However, the soldiers' practical considerations have also been repeatedly mentioned, such as their expectations for rewards and glory. The contradictory psychology of the soldiers in the drama runs through, and ultimately, after facing suicide bombings and missile attacks, the soldiers find a reason to fight. The emotional scene at the end of the drama not only elevates the image of soldiers, but also conceals the aggressive nature of unjust warfare and hinders the audience's rational thinking.

2、 The Ambiguity of Scottish Identity

The Black Guardian showcases the ambiguity of Scottish identity through rich Scottish cultural elements. The relationship between Scotland and England in the drama is handled relatively vaguely, without emphasizing national independence consciousness, but highlighting Scotland's contribution to the British Empire. Kemi's "Golden Thread" performance showcases the history of the Black Guards through different military uniforms, symbolically portraying Scotland as a sacrifice for imperial expansion. The history of the Black Guards is closely related to Scotland's conflicting identity, as it is both a part of Scotland and not part of it. The contemporary Scottish nationalist movement tends to express independence demands through political means rather than violence. Scottish elites such as David Hume and Adam Smith identified themselves as part of Great Britain and hoped to benefit from England's technological culture and economic trade. Adam Ferguson's theory provided support for the Scottish army's participation in the British Empire's wars. The attitude towards the United States in the play is complex. The soldiers are disgusted with the illegality of the Iraq war, but they also have the same root and homology with the Americans. The Scottish National Theatre seeks a Scottish nationalism in this play that serves the goals of Great Britain, which is also constrained by American foreign policy.

3、 Ambiguity of values

In "The Black Guardian," Burke criticized the Iraq War through the term "illegal," while showcasing the soldiers' sense of justice and morality. The military officers in the drama expressed anger towards the British government's followers and believed that the Iraq War was an abnormal phenomenon in the history of the Black Guards. Nevertheless, the narrator Kemi in the play believes that soldiers should actively participate in war, regardless of its justice. This ambiguity enriches the content of the work, and critic Rahul Rao praises its independence from specific positions. Burke avoided discussing the justice of war and instead focused on the lives and emotions of soldiers, resonating with the audience. The drama reflects the changing emotions of the British public, from opposing the invasion of Iraq to supporting combatants. Burke proposed that soldiers joining the military is also a means of livelihood, and the government uses this to recruit new soldiers. The drama also explores soldiers' loyalty and sense of belonging, emphasizing loyalty and sense of belonging to small groups, as well as the role of history and tradition in maintaining soldiers' identity.

4、 Conclusion

The Black Guardians successfully showcases Scotland's image in cultural diplomacy through Scottish cultural elements and the history of the Black Guardians. The drama reflects the intention of the British government to merge the Scottish Regiment and concerns about the possible demise of the Black Guards, reflecting the uncertainty of Scotland's national status in the 21st century. The play may be interpreted as a propaganda that encourages blind obedience and combat, and the ending march and Scottish music suppress questioning of theatrical values. Soldiers fight to defend tradition, avoiding the issue of war justice and relying solely on emotional bonds. The ambiguity of these values should raise concerns.