Bleeding newbie poster
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After some discussion with my brother, a little googling, and some further discussion with some other firends we've come up with a take on where some of the inspiration fo rthe various characters & the story lines may have come from.
Not disputing that there are some heavy Christian influences but I think to only look that far is a bit narrow minded, there were actually scores of different religions and mythologies represented in the film these are just our first takes (at this stage mostly Hindu/Greek References):
THE ARCHITECT - Vishnu/Brahma (Hindu)
"the Hindu god Vishnu is the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is the embodiment of mercy and goodness, the self-existent, all-pervading power that preserves the universe and maintains the cosmic order Dharma"
"Most of the time, good and evil forces are evenly matched in the world. But at times, the balance is destroyed and evil demons get the upper hand. Often in response to a request by the other gods, Vishnu then incarnates in a human form to set the balance right again." (NEO - "sum of the remainder" or "imbalance")
Because of his role as the "creator" of the matrix he could also be Brahma. His goal to preserver order would suit the dual role:
THE MATRIX - DHARMA (Hindu)
"The etymological meaning of dharma is 'that which binds together'. So it is that which is inherent as law in the very nature of all existing phenomena, that which supports and holds the universe together. It is not merely a set of beliefs having no connection with living, but rather a set of principles for a harmonious and beneficient life. It is a practical doctrine."
NEO - RAMAYANA, 7th AVATAR OF VISHNU (Hindu)
"9 Vishnu incarnations are generally recognized as Vishnu avatars" (This could hint that maybe the story isn't over)
"Seventh incarnation of Vishnu : Ram : he killed the demon King Ravana, who had abducted Sita."
Sita was the name of the wife of Rama (Another Hindu figure as well) - they were the couple with the daughter. Smith took over their daughter in the Matrix, perhaps this is the equivalent to abducting "Sita" for the purposes of this storyline. The Architect also mentions that 6 more have come before Neo, making him the Seventh.
"Ram is the 7th incarnation of Vishnu and the central figure of the Ramayana epic. The Ramayan is the very soul of India. It is a complete guide to God-realization, the path to which lies in righteousness. The ideals of man are beautifully portrayed in it. Everyone should emulate those ideals and grow into ideal human beings and ideal citizens."
Neo represented all of Zion (very soul of India).
"Finally, all rakshasa generals were killed and the battle become a single combat between Ravana and Ram. Finally, Ram killed Ravana with a special weapon given to him by saint Agastya."
Obviously the "generals" all stood to the side for this one... I haven't found much on saint Agastrya, but I would consider the "special weapon" to be the link with the source.
Neo was also given some Christ-like abilities and his decision at the end could be viewed as sacrificing himself for the sake of all others - I'd consider this an explanation of why Neo wasn't initially victorious as the Hindu legend would indicate.
SMITH - RAVANA (Hindu)
"Ravana is the personification of evil as the demon king of Sri Lanka, also the leader of the raksasses, who is the antagonist of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is described as having ten heads and twenty hands. Through severe ascetic practices in early life he obtained from Brahma exemption from death. His ensuing pride and arrogant behavior led to the incarnation of Vishnu as Rama to destroy him."
Smith was also played out to be the anti-Christ... but I can't find anything to really back that up with the exception of Neo having some Christ-like capabilities.
THE ORACLE - SHIVA (Hindu)
"Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of the shedding of old habits. In Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram or Truth, Goodness and Beauty, Shiva also represents the most essential goodness."
When you consider the story The Oracle truly was a kind, good "program" but at the same time she was also a bit of a shit-disturber. She often provoked people within the Matrix to make irrational decisions, decisions that would go against what a logical program might expect. It was her guidance that set much of the events in motion.
THE MEROVINGIAN - HADES (Greek), The Merovingian Race
"Hades chose, as his dominion, The Underworld."
Merv was the keeper of the "Underworld" in the Matrix, notice the keymaker was kept in a dungeon and the club he was in during revolutions was "The Hell Club". He also controlled passage in and out of the Matrix and is closely associated with a character who fits the Trainman description. No one got in or ou of the underwolrd without Hades permission.
"When mortals kneel before the cold hearted Hades, he metes out somber justice and no one, once there, can ever leave his domain"
His reluctance to let people out of his control, the Oracle's shell, the Keymaker, Neo.
Persephone is also his wife both mythologically and in the Matrix.
"Hades was so overwhelmed by Persephone’s sweet charms that, instead of wooing her, he abducted her against her will and dragged her to The Underworld."
Some inspiration for the character's name/personality invariably came from the Merovingian race:
"the Merovingian race, and the mystery that surrounds them, lies ultimately with a race of beings, "Nephilim," or "Fallen Angels," who created mankind as we know him today, and with a civilization, far more ancient than recorded history, from which came all of the major arts and sciences that are basic to civilizations everywhere, even unto today."
he was the master of information, and showed obvious interests in all arts, scienes and culture....
PERSEPHONE - PERSEPHONE (GREEK)
"Hades did not woo the beautiful Persephone, he abducted her and took her to his underground kingdom. After much protest, Persephone came to love the cold blooded king of the underworld"
This would explain her bitterness towards him and her inability to leave. It could also explain why she assists Neo to free the keymaker and later trinity to free Neo from Merv's control.
THE TRAINMAN - CHARON / KHARON (GREEK)
"Charon is best known as the ferryman of the underworld."
"Charon is often depicted as a gnarled old man, stooped over a ferry pole. He is always seen hooded and often wearing a black cloak."
Pretty much what the ferryman is... and looks like (minus the black cloak)
"Kharon appeared as an unattractive, barbarous elderly man with a grim, bearded face and a crooked nose. He was usually depicted holding a pole, driving his skiff across the Akheronian mere."
A second description....
SERAPH - ANGEL (Hebrew / Greek)
“ser•aph (s r f)
n. pl. ser•a•phim (- -f m) or ser•aphs
1. A celestial being having three pairs of wings.“
MORPHEUS - MORPHEUS, GOD OF DREAMS (Greek)
“The Greek god of dreams. He lies on a ebony bed in a dim-lit cave, surrounded by poppy.”
“His name means "he who forms, or molds" (from the Greek morphe),”
He was the one who found Neo and began his transition to “the one”. The Ebony bed in the dim cave could be similar to the room in The Matrix – the chair he sat on I believe was ebony, and it was most certainly a dark room. His speech also made heavy reference to dreams.
This may also explain why he had a lead role of sorts within the temple of Zion
Loose thoughts:
TRINITY - The Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity - Father son & spirit....
CYPHER – JUDAS
- the one who betrayed Christ
Still working on Niobe & The Keymaker.
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