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The Matrix Reloaded: Symbolism
Symbolism of Names
Niobe was a female greek mythological character in the Iliad of Homer. In that epic story she is described
as a woman who compares herself to a goddess.
Merovingian relates to an ancient Frankish dynasty whose members were attributed with saintliness, magical
powers and divine origin because they were believed to be descendents of Christ.
Persephone was the daughter of Demeter and Zeus in Greek myth. Hades abducted her and took her to the
underworld, but she was eventually allowed to return to the surface for part of the year. Her mother Demeter, in her grief
neglected her duties and the earth became cold and barren, so Zeus allowed Persephone to come home for only 6 months of the year.
This marked the changing of the seasons.
more to come...
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Seraph is one of the most important characters in The Matrix Trilogy. As such, we've gone to an expert to
help us get to the root of his name. Thanks to TM101's good friend, Ned,
for the following:
When analyzing the name "Seraph" it's important to take into consideration the historical meaning behind the word in its original language: Hebrew. The noun form of the word is derived from the verb saraph which literally means "to burn." What this means is that "seraphs" were not really little angels flying around in the throne room of God (see Isaiah 6) but these guys were literally on fire. "Burning ones" as it were. This makes even more sense, and is further developed, when Neo sees him before they fight and the cinematography goes to showing Neo's view of the code. Seraph is glowing gold, not green like most of the other people (take Trinity for example at the end of the movie when Neo removes the bullet from her chest). Seraphs were really frightening creatures in the mind of the ancient Israelite, not the cutesy little angels that we imagine as a result of Michelangelo's work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. |
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Did You Know?
A reason for the 'sixth' One: In the TV show, 'The Prisoner', which contains similar themes to 'Matrix', the main
character who seeks to be free from the hidden system of technological control which imprisons him is called 'No. 6'. But in the final
episode, the ever-changing 'No. 2' who answers No. 6's repeated question, 'Who is No. 1?' puts the emphasis where it belongs for the first
time: 'YOU ARE, No. 6.' (As opposed to 'You are No 6.') Indeed, No. 6 takes the monkey mask off the figure in the No. 1 chair and sees
himself. Like Neo, the Prisoner's answer to his quest for freedom has always been within himself, as the Oracle so often tells Neo. Thus,
Neo = No. 6, the sixth No. 1, but really, the first One.
- Suggested by Wes Howard-Brook |