»The Merovingian Explained. (Finally!)«

There's been a lot of speculation around The Merovingian and what he represents in The Matrix. Many theories have been posted here, and I gathered from them in this post, as well as my own personal views. I also read very interesting essays from other parts of the net. Most of the things in here you already know, but there are many people who don't so I'll post them all.

The first impression that we have from The Merovingian is that he is a previous One. I now know that this first impression was wrong. This whole "theory", if you can call it that way, was originated from two things:
The first one was that The Merovingian's restaurant is located in the 101st floor. You can see the number 101 on the wall when Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity get out of the elevator. The second one, is this line Persephone says in Reloaded referring to Neo:

Quote:

Persephone: I'm so sick of his bullshit. On and on, pompous prick. A long time ago, when we first came here, it was so different. He was so different. He was like you.

I gotta say, it does make you think this, but it's wrong.

Later, on Revolutions, we learn that he's in an underground club appropriately named "Club Hel". Which makes us think that he is somehow the devil figure inside The Matrix. This is partly true. Let's review the facts:

1. He can be found in an underground club called "Club Hel"

2. He is Persephone's husband, which makes him Hades. And relates him to Lucifer.

3. A strange man called "The Trainman" works for him. In greek mythology we have a character called Charon, "The Boatman". Charon works for Hades.

The following is a quote from a guy named Brian Takle, who wrote one hell of an essay on Revolutions, as well as one on Reloaded.

Quote:

The location of Mobil Avenue station (I'll just call it Mobil from now on) can be very confusing, principally because, in the movie, it is described from two different perspectives at the same time. It's the River Styx. Only instead of a river, we have train tracks; instead of a boat, we have a train; and instead of a Boatman we have...well, a Trainman. In Greek mythology, Charon the Boatman works for Hades. Similarly, our Trainman works for the Merovingian.

I think the point has been made. The Merovingian = Hades. But that is only a part of his character.

The other aspect has to do with The Merovingian Kings. A line of french kings who claim to be descendent from the bloodline of Christ. The Merovingian Kings were the protectors of The Holy Grail. It's name is not a coincidence, neither did the Wachowski brothers chose that name because it sounded cool (Which it does). It has significance. The Merovinigian is in fact a protector of The Holy Grail. Yeah, one of the protectors. The other protector, is in fact Seraph.

From The Matrix Reloaded:

Quote:

Seraph: I protect that wich matters most.

Which makes you think: What is The Holy Grail in The Matrix? Well, that's another story and a whole new thread, but to make it brief, The Quest for The Holy Grail is Neo's enlightment and his ascension at the end of Revolutions. The very thing that allows Neo to sacrifice himself.

If you want to read more, I recommend you to visit this site. This is Brian Takle's site and it contains 2 essays. One for Reloaded, and one for Revolutions.

i find the scene with Rama Kandra to be a wondeful scene. We see Neo start to accept his Karma.
This scene shows the quinesential theme of the matrix, purpose.
"We are all here to do what we are all here to do"

oscargabrielp wrote:

If you want to read more, I recommend you to visit this site. This is Brian Takle's site and it contains 2 essays. One for Reloaded, and one for Revolutions. wylfing.net...

Wow, those are some Nice essays, thanks for that.

I particularly like the Analogy of Neo (the serpent) leading Humanity out of the Matrix (Garden of Eden) and the fact that Smith is not Neo's Evil Twin.

Brilliant Stuff

Brilliant indeed.

Read the Revolutions one, it all comes down to the combination of Smith into Neo being the "true One".

Oscar, you already know I agree on the Lucifer/Hades part so I wont address that.

As far as the keeper of the Holy Grail, I always thought that the Holy Grail was the Keymaker. The Merovingian kings guarded the Grail just as the Merovingian guarded the Keymaker. And the Grail was identified with ascention into heaven just as the Keymaker is the instrument which leads Neo to the Source (heaven).

To say "he was once like you" doesn't mean anything is to completely ignore the fact that pretty much every line in the trilogy seems to have SOME kind of symbolic meaning.

So far it seems that the Merovingian can be interpreted as:

A hungry ghost (buddhism - his attachment to samsara/the matrix is a hunger for knowledge)

Hades (husband to Persephone)

Satan (Christian mythical figure -rarely seen as literal in modern times- who lives in hell)

Adam....

Yeah I can hear you. If you haven't heard this before you are probably going WTF and if you have then that still doesn't mean that you understand this interpretation.

Much of the concept of orthodox christian theology is based on a fallen world which is redeemed by Christ. This world is considered to have been made 'fallen' initially because of the sin of mankind personified in Adam. Adam, originally is considered to be perfect like Christ (only not actually God). Originally Adam is divine. When the fall takes place Adam becomes corrupt like humans today.

The reason for the comparison focussing on Adam and Christ and connecting the two is mostly due to the connection found in St. Paul's letters within the Bible. Paul refers to Christ as the 'first fruits'. It is generally suggested that Christ becoming a 'divine man' and his returning to life is a sign that humans will also be resurrected after death and that they too will become divine like Christ did. Adam was man's previous state of divinity and Christ is man's divinity as it is to be in the future.

I hope no Orthodox Christians will disagree with this view. From what I can tell it is accepted by most other denominations too. I also hope this wasn't too boring or confusing for non-Christians too.

Quote:

Satan (Christian mythical figure -rarely seen as literal in modern times- who lives in hell)

Uh....mythical? Im pretty sure that everyone who has a belief in Christ as there Savior believes Satan is real...where do you get youtr facts? As for adam being devine. Im not sure he is devine he is just considered without sin...perfect.

What's the difference between 'divine' and 'without sin'? St. Anathanius said "God became man so we might become divine". Also this use of the word divine is used by kallistos Ware in his book "The Orthodox Way". What's your source?

As for every Christian believing in a literal Satan, I think most Christians would answer "no" to the question: Do you believe in a red monster with pointy ears and a tail that goes around tempting people? In modern times Satan is generally seen as something within the mind rather than as a literal creature.

Fatpie42 wrote:

What's the difference between 'divine' and 'without sin'?

My interpretation would be "Divine" is incapable of Sin.
"Without Sin" is someone who could sin but hasn't.

If Jesus was simply incapable of sin then it he would not have to resist temptation. Orthodox Christianity finds the fact that Jesus shared in our humanity to be an intrinsic part of our salvation. If Jesus is not divine then what is?

DISCLAIMER!
I wouldn't begin to suggest that this applied to all forms of Christianity

Quote:

As for every Christian believing in a literal Satan, I think most Christians would answer "no" to the question: Do you believe in a red monster with pointy ears and a tail that goes around tempting people? In modern times Satan is generally seen as something within the mind rather than as a literal creature.

Im not sure where you get your info, but once again everyone i know and thats alot believes in satan, he is a fallen angel who started a war with God, his name is lucifer but he also has the name satan. He is real and he resides in hell. He does exist. He doesnt controll hell, people have a missviewed version of things now a day. satan is burning in the lake of fire that is hell. Hell is eternal seperation from God. He doesnt have pointy ears and a tail. He is a fallen angel, they say he was one of the most beutiful angels but became jelouse of God's power. do you know the story? It seems to me you arnt a christian and dont believe in a God or anything so i dont expect you to believe what i do but i will tell you this every christian on planet earth believes in satan, now what a christian someone who follws christs teachings. if they say they are a christian but dont believe in satan i wouldnt consider them nothing but morman.(no offence to the mormans)

Great. Just insult my beliefs. When you see Satan next time, take a photo of him. When you next look in the Bible and see an account of his expulsion from paradise, quote it for me. Until either of those two things happen I am going to continue to presume that he is a mythical creature.

This really is quite pointless to the original issue isn't it?

Fatpie42 wrote:

If Jesus is not divine then what is?

GOD

hence the term "Divine Intervention"

In it's simplest form Sin is defined as "Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God"

God cannot sin because anything God does would be the will of God and therefore cannot be a sin.


But like I said, this is just my interpretation.

Jesus IS God. Haven't you heard of the holy trinity?

Besides God can do anything. Even if it is against his nature to sin, that does not make him incapable.

hehehe... watching a Literalist Christian defend his beliefs is fun. Fatpie42, your efforts, I fear, will be in vain. But don't let me stop you; I can't help but love this sort of thing!

Just one thing, Agent Zero: Mormons are weird, no doubt about that... but they are mostly tolerant; and their views on theology notwithstanding, they generally have a very good ethical code, that is, they're usually pretty nice folks. They are Fantasists, a strange sort of offshoot of the orthodoxy of Literalism. The Literalist believes that every word in the Bible (or other appropriate Holy Book) should be taken literally. Fundamentalists take this to the extreme; Fantasists add their own embellishments. Gnostics (sometimes called "philosophers") reject the idea of literal interpretation. Does that make them bad people? "Un-saved," perhaps? Or "enlightened?"

I prefer to think the latter.

The Literalist says, "Repent!"
The Gnostic says, "Wake Up!"

Which sounds more to you like the Matrix movies?

Poor Fatty! Why are you guys tormenting him? He is right. Some people believe in Satan and some people dont. Its that simple. Fatty knows his Christianity.

Getting back on track with the Merovingian thing:

Well, we all agree that Merv is a Satan/Lucifer figure? Right? Speak up if someone doesn't.

The Adam thing is also good and very relevant. I read scientheist's post sooo long ago but I still remember. Merv is somewhat of a twist on the Adam character. As a program, not a human, he committed sin and exited the Garden. Comparisons:

Adam is the first man God created.
Merv was probably the first program (in the Matrix itself) that the Source created.

Adam committed Sin because of his female counterpart Eve.
Merv also fell in love with Persephone and chose to ignore his purpose for the `Original Sin'.

Adam was exiled out of the Garden of Eden.
Merv was exiled out (or chose to leave) from ?wherever? and took refuge in the Matrix.

Adam took Eve with him.
Merv took Persephone with him.

Adam's sons were Cain and Abel.
Merv's vampires/warewolves are Cain and Abel.

What about the Holy Grail thing? Do you think it is the Keymaker as I do? Thoughts please.

Fatpie42 wrote:

Jesus IS God. Haven't you heard of the holy trinity? Besides God can do anything. Even if it is against his nature to sin, that does not make him incapable.

god cannot go against his word...it is infalable...once he speaks it, it becomes truth, and to go against it would make it become false...

About GOD and Sin

Fatpie42 wrote:

Besides God can do anything. Even if it is against his nature to sin, that does not make him incapable.

The Nature of God has nothing to do with it, it's all about the Nature of Sin.

marl64 wrote:

Sin is defined as "Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God"

So in simple terms;

God decides to do something - That action is God's will.

Since Sin is doing the opposite of God's Will...

Nothing God does can be considered a Sin - God is incapable of Sin.

It's the big flaw in the whole "Perfect Being" Theory.

About Jesus

Fatpie42 wrote:

Jesus IS God. Haven't you heard of the holy trinity?

Fatpie42 wrote:

If Jesus was simply incapable of sin then it he would not have to resist temptation. Orthodox Christianity finds the fact that Jesus shared in our humanity to be an intrinsic part of our salvation. If Jesus is not divine then what is?

So which is it, Jesus is God or Jesus had to resist temptation?

Is he a diety or does he share our humanity?

Again Christianity tries to have it all ways. C'mon explain this stuff - I'd really like to understand, but I find it all so contradictory.

Agent Zero wrote:

Quote: Satan (Christian mythical figure -rarely seen as literal in modern times- who lives in hell) Uh....mythical? Im pretty sure that everyone who has a belief in Christ as there Savior believes Satan is real...where do you get youtr facts? As for adam being devine. Im not sure he is devine he is just considered without sin...perfect.

Satan is a mythical Christian figure. You cannot provehe exists. You might believe in Satan simply because of your faith (Or at least that was what I undestood from your post). Other than that, I don't think you can give me any real scientific data to prove his existance.

FINE! Ignore me. Ignore the topic. Losers.

You know Im plaayin!

Do recognise that as I type this I am a bit on the ol' drunkles side.

Sorry AG. Guess they wanna talk BS. Personally I chose to study philosophy at uni because I live for BS. It is my bread and butter.

Jesus had to live the contradiction. That is what made him special. How can we connect with a God who cannot understand what it is to human? Well that's what Jesus does. He is an immortal spiritual being who experiences a physical death. Death is the punishment for mankinds rebellion against God, yet God himself took the punishment upon himself.

That is what makes Jesus special. Not that Jesus died, but that it was God who died on that cross.

-- I wouldn't be preaching if people stopped asking. I don't want to be berated for evangelising. I don't even LIKE evangelism!

Akshat Gupta wrote:

As far as the keeper of the Holy Grail, I always thought that the Holy Grail was the Keymaker. The Merovingian kings guarded the Grail just as the Merovingian guarded the Keymaker. And the Grail was identified with ascention into heaven just as the Keymaker is the instrument which leads Neo to the Source (heaven).

Totally agree on that.
Very logical link; explains his Merovinigian-name and decludes him from being a former One.

I am still bothered by the fact though why they depict the number 5 everywhere in the restaurant. Then this would be that he met with all the previous Ones? The five glasses on the table suggests that all the five previous Ones sat there.

Ya good point. That throws me off to. And it gives the `Merv is a previous One' believers some evidence. arrg! But what about you others? Any ideas?

It doesn't give evidence that the Merovingian is a previous one. (Unless there is some evidence that I don't know about). The five glasses suggests that there were previously five people IN Le Vrai. I doesn't say anything about the Merovingian. It seems that each one is meant to do what the last one did, so no doubt all of them had been to the merovingian before as well.