Jacob: An Alternate Theory

Popular theories view Jacob and his 'friend' as two opposites; Good vs. Evil or Destiny vs. Free will, or Life vs. Death. Variations include merging religious themes into the dichotomy. But what if the two aren't a dichotomy at all?

What if they're both different components of the same force or entity called Jacob; one physical (Body), the other spirit (Specter)? Specter is tired of watching mankind wallow in his own baseness. He wants to move on to a more interesting plane or universe, where he's no longer witness to the monotony of centuries of mindless slaughter and corruption. Unfortunately, his physical self doesn't want to leave. He's fascinated by the struggle of mankind, and hopes to see them change. Perhaps part of Body's enjoyment of the story entails his own physical pleasure of eating, sleeping, and working; he doesn't want his body to die.

The issue is that Jacob can't enter the next realm without leaving the body behind. That means Body must die, and unfortunately he's not going to voluntarily give up. So if Body won't come willingly, Specter needs to arrange it. But there's the problem. As a specter, he has no power on the physical plane, even if he's possessing a dead body. He needs to convince a physical being to do it. But how to convince a human to get angry at Jacob? There's really no reason to hate him... Oh wait. Maybe there is...

With that in mind, this beach scene reads quite differently...

Specter: I don't have to ask. You brought them here. Trying to prove me wrong, aren't you? (mankind will never change)
Jacob's body: You are wrong.
Specter: Am I? They come. They fight. They destroy. They corrupt. It always ends the same. (I'm tired of watching this)
Jacob's body: It only ends once. Anything that happens before that is just progress. (Have patience, some day it will change)
Specter: Do you have any idea how badly I want to kill you? (Do you have any idea how badly I want to get out of here, but we can't leave until you die?)
Jacob's body: Yes
Specter: One of these days... I'll find the final loophole my friend. (But I can't kill you since I'm a spirit. I need to find another way to do it.)
Jacob's body: Well, when you find it, I'll be right here. (My body isn't going anywhere).

Elsewhere, we've postulated that Jacob and Nemesis are essentially two very different entities, perhaps both elements of a converged whole.