I love how petulant Hannibal is. He’s incredibly intelligent yet he nurtures his impulsivity. Calling Hobbs and regretting it when he sees the bloody horror it causes. Telling Will to pursue Budge and feeling relieved when he sees Will has survived the challenge. Staying back even after knowing of Will’s betrayal and the imminent danger he is in with the FBI’s scrutiny on him; gutting Will, killing Abigail because he is angry and torn up. His murder spree in Florence to call the attention from his old life to him. Trying to eat Will as a means to have him in some way. Refusing to cooperate in catching Dolarhyde: nothing to gain, he just doesn’t play to anyone’s rules.
It is not that he doesn’t have deep regrets (re: teacup and notebook filled with physics formulae), but the consequences of his actions aren’t enough to stop him from acting in the present. That is just how this man lives his life. It seems almost foolish. He’s childish and honest with his emotions. I love how it adds layers to someone that could have easily been written superficially.