Zachor: A Perilous Animus

From the Tannaim onward, commentators have struggled to account for Mordechai's seemingly bewildering refusal to show Haman the basic courtesy of bowing to him, especially in light of the effect that it had of endangering the Jews. 

Among the many suggestions put forth the Midrash & Talmud assert that Haman was venerated as a god or that he wore an idol on his body, with even as staunch a pashtan as ibn Ezra adopting such an approach, with A"Z subject to the rule of יהרג ועל יעבור. 

The Targumim (Rishon & Sheini) posit either personal or national pride (respectively). 

(There are other approaches as well.)

The former suffer from there being no indication in the text of a foreign deity and the latter from Mordechai's apparent misplaced pride and otherwise. 

I'd like to suggest the following:

In Rabbinic tradition Haman is said to be descended from Amalek and Mordechai from Shaul, who spared Agag. 

Esther is framed as another such epic showdown. 

That is why "Zachor" is read the Shabbos prior to Purim as well as why "Amalek" is read on Purim itself. 

Ralbag identifies the anti-Jewish agitators across the kingdom as amalekites as well. 

Jews are bidden to eradicate Amalek. 

War involves exposing oneself to danger. 

There is another associated mitzvah—to remember what Amalek did to us.

Rambam explains it as a way to keep the enmity and hatred of them fresh and burning so that we will continue to battle them throughout the generations. 

In other words, keeping alive the memory of Amalek's assault is in service of and empowers their hoped for and commanded annihilation. 

As allowing our emotions to cool with regard to Amalek would have the inexorable effect of Jews no longer willing to risk their lives in taking up the sword against them, I think the argument can be made that the mitzvah of remembering their dastardly act is itself included in the mitzvah of eradicating Amalek vis a vis that it is defined as part of the war effort and not subject to the dispensation of פיקוח נפש. 

As showing Amalek (high) honor and accord would have the exact opposite result of keeping the hatred of them acute, Mordechai (as their leader) was fully in line with withholding it (not even stirring) in pursuit of the Torah-mandated genocide against them, risk to life and limb notwithstanding, as war is impervious to such considerations.