The Gigantic and FantasticThe Gigantic and FantasticMatrix Unit PowerPoint!Matrix Unit PowerPoint!

(Part Two)(Part Two)

Mr. FeracoMr. Feraco

SFHPSFHP

30 October 200730 October 2007

The Players in Our “Trilogy”The Players in Our “Trilogy”

• In order to “completely” understand the In order to “completely” understand the trilogy, we need to understand the trilogy, we need to understand the following: following: – Characters (humans, programs, and Characters (humans, programs, and

machines)machines)– ShipsShips– Reasons behind the namesReasons behind the names– MythologyMythology

That’s a Lot to Follow!That’s a Lot to Follow!

• Yes, but I’m here to help.Yes, but I’m here to help.

• Never fear.Never fear.

The ProtagonistsThe Protagonists

• The protagonists shift from film to filmThe protagonists shift from film to film• We’ll discuss each in the section We’ll discuss each in the section

dedicated to the film where they are dedicated to the film where they are most importantmost important– For “The Matrix,” we have the core crew; For “The Matrix,” we have the core crew;

“The Matrix Reloaded” introduces a slew “The Matrix Reloaded” introduces a slew of characters and programs; “The Matrix of characters and programs; “The Matrix Revolutions” devotes a lot of screen-time Revolutions” devotes a lot of screen-time to “marginal” characters from the first two to “marginal” characters from the first two films, as well as introducing new onesfilms, as well as introducing new ones

• Let’s begin with “The Matrix!”Let’s begin with “The Matrix!”

NeoNeo

• A.K.A. Thomas A.K.A. Thomas AndersonAnderson

• The One (well, The One (well, the 6the 6thth One) One)

• Savior of Savior of humanityhumanity

• Anderson = Anderson = Andro (Greek Andro (Greek word for “man”) word for “man”) + Son+ Son

• Son of Man – Son of Man – ChristChrist

• Thomas – Thomas – Doubter (doubt Doubter (doubt is his strength!)is his strength!)

• Reflects many Reflects many traditional figures:traditional figures: – The Enlightened BuddhistThe Enlightened Buddhist– The Christian or Gnostic The Christian or Gnostic

Christ Christ – The Hindu VishnuThe Hindu Vishnu

MorpheusMorpheus

• Captain of the Captain of the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

• Neo’s rescuerNeo’s rescuer• A possible stand-in for A possible stand-in for

John the Baptist, or John the Baptist, or even Moses!even Moses!

• Faithful man who Faithful man who unquestioningly unquestioningly believes the Prophecybelieves the Prophecy

TrinityTrinity

• Crewmember aboard the Crewmember aboard the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

• Helps rescue both Neo and Helps rescue both Neo and MorpheusMorpheus

• Loves Neo/The One, and Loves Neo/The One, and contributes to his contributes to his resurrectionresurrection

• Could represent Mary Could represent Mary Magdalene, the Holy Magdalene, the Holy Trinity…or something else Trinity…or something else entirelyentirely– After all, she After all, she doesdoes die… die…

The The Nebuchadnezzar’sNebuchadnezzar’s Crew Crew

• Mouse is the youngest Mouse is the youngest membermember

• He helps design and He helps design and program the Training program the Training ScenariosScenarios

• Isn’t sure what Tastee Isn’t sure what Tastee Wheat tastes likeWheat tastes like

• May represent the Israelites May represent the Israelites – but certainly doesn’t – but certainly doesn’t subscribe to any school of subscribe to any school of Buddhist thoughtBuddhist thought– ““To deny our desires is to To deny our desires is to

deny what makes us human”deny what makes us human”• Killed as a result of Killed as a result of

Cypher’s betrayalCypher’s betrayal

The The Nebuchadnezzar’sNebuchadnezzar’s Crew Crew

• Switch (female) and Switch (female) and Apoc (male) represent Apoc (male) represent the “muscle” of the the “muscle” of the ship’s crewship’s crew

• Each serves as a guard Each serves as a guard during Matrix during Matrix invasionsinvasions

• Both are killed by Both are killed by Cypher himselfCypher himself

The The Nebuchadnezzar’sNebuchadnezzar’s Crew Crew• Tank (left) and Dozer Tank (left) and Dozer

(right) are Zion-born (right) are Zion-born brothers serving on the brothers serving on the same shipsame ship

• Both names refer to Both names refer to aspects of the Matrix: aspects of the Matrix: – Dozer Dozer sleep sleep– Tank Tank battery pod battery pod

• Can’t jack into the Can’t jack into the Matrix because they Matrix because they lack portslack ports

• Tank serves as “ship’s Tank serves as “ship’s operator” instead, and operator” instead, and Dozer pilots the Dozer pilots the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

• Dozer is killed by Dozer is killed by Cypher’s plasma gun, Cypher’s plasma gun, while Tank survives a while Tank survives a shot and kills Cypher shot and kills Cypher with his own gunwith his own gun

The Oracle (Both Shells)The Oracle (Both Shells)• The Oracle is a program from the The Oracle is a program from the

Machine WorldMachine World• Existing since the first MatrixExisting since the first Matrix• Figured out that humans needed to be Figured out that humans needed to be

able to “choose” to accept the Matrixable to “choose” to accept the Matrix• Intends to find a way to end the war Intends to find a way to end the war

between men and machines; between men and machines; eventually prevails over Smith and eventually prevails over Smith and assists in the creation of a Matrix assists in the creation of a Matrix where people can choose to leave where people can choose to leave without consequenceswithout consequences

• Lost a “shell” to an attack by the Lost a “shell” to an attack by the Merovingian; agrees to watch Sati Merovingian; agrees to watch Sati despite the attackdespite the attack

• Based on the Oracle of Delphi (check Based on the Oracle of Delphi (check your “How to Really Bake Your your “How to Really Bake Your Noodle” packet)Noodle” packet)

““Matrix” Villains - CypherMatrix” Villains - Cypher• Cypher is “shallow and stupid,” Cypher is “shallow and stupid,”

according to one criticaccording to one critic• He serves as a member of He serves as a member of

Morpheus’s crew, but betrays the Morpheus’s crew, but betrays the others when offered the chance to others when offered the chance to return to the Matrixreturn to the Matrix

• His betrayal leads to Morpheus’s His betrayal leads to Morpheus’s capture, and he murders Apoc, capture, and he murders Apoc, Switch, and Dozer before being Switch, and Dozer before being killed by Tankkilled by Tank

• While he’s presented as an amoral While he’s presented as an amoral monster (Judas?) by the film, he monster (Judas?) by the film, he doesn’t doesn’t quitequite work as Judas work as Judas– After all, he’d need to betray Neo to After all, he’d need to betray Neo to

qualify, while he betrays Morpheusqualify, while he betrays Morpheus• Interestingly, more and more of you Interestingly, more and more of you

felt more sympathy towards his felt more sympathy towards his actions as you thought about his actions as you thought about his options a bitoptions a bit

““Matrix” Villains – Agent SmithMatrix” Villains – Agent Smith

• Smith’s role shifts from film to film; Smith’s role shifts from film to film; – He’s the coldly evil face of the Matrix He’s the coldly evil face of the Matrix

during the first movieduring the first movie– He begins corrupting the Matrix in the He begins corrupting the Matrix in the

second movie, but remains a threat to second movie, but remains a threat to Neo and companyNeo and company

– By the third movie, he’s controlling Bane, By the third movie, he’s controlling Bane, destroyed the human fleet, blinded Neo, destroyed the human fleet, blinded Neo, and taken over virtually the entire Matrixand taken over virtually the entire Matrix

• He has become a threat that must He has become a threat that must be destroyed, and ironically be destroyed, and ironically serves as the catalyst for a peace serves as the catalyst for a peace

agreement between the humans agreement between the humans and 01and 01

““Reloaded” Protagonists - LinkReloaded” Protagonists - Link

• The biggest addition to the cast is Link, The biggest addition to the cast is Link, Tank & Dozer’s brother-in-law who Tank & Dozer’s brother-in-law who takes their place after their deathstakes their place after their deaths

• Married to ZeeMarried to Zee

• Like the brothers, Like the brothers, Link is Zion-born, Link is Zion-born, which means he which means he can’t plug into the can’t plug into the MatrixMatrix

ZeeZee

• Link’s wife, Zee, is Link’s wife, Zee, is Tank’s/Dozer’s sisterTank’s/Dozer’s sister

• She remains upset She remains upset that Link is often that Link is often gone, but answers gone, but answers the call to defend the call to defend Zion when neededZion when needed

• Takes out a sentinel with the same type of Takes out a sentinel with the same type of gun that Cypher used to kill her brothersgun that Cypher used to kill her brothers

HamannHamann

• One of the elder Councillors of ZionOne of the elder Councillors of Zion• Hamann is sympathetic to Morpheus’s Hamann is sympathetic to Morpheus’s

cause and allows him to take the cause and allows him to take the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar to find the Oracle to find the Oracle

• Hamann’s Hamann’s name stems name stems from a from a German German philosopherphilosopher

The KidThe Kid

• The Kid essentially rescues himself from The Kid essentially rescues himself from the Matrix by jacking out, but spends the the Matrix by jacking out, but spends the rest of the trilogy worshipping Neo & rest of the trilogy worshipping Neo & bringing Captain Mifune bulletsbringing Captain Mifune bullets

• He gets Gate 3He gets Gate 3

open in time toopen in time to

admit the admit the HammerHammer

SeraphSeraph

• Another program from the Another program from the Machine World (and Matrix)Machine World (and Matrix)

• Used to work for the Used to work for the Merovingian, who tortured Merovingian, who tortured him and cut off his wingshim and cut off his wings

• ““Seraph” is short for Seraph” is short for “Seraphim,” or guardian “Seraphim,” or guardian angel; his duty is to guard angel; his duty is to guard “that which matters most,” “that which matters most,” the Oraclethe Oracle

• Helps Trinity and Morpheus Helps Trinity and Morpheus rescue Neorescue Neo

• Protects Sati in vainProtects Sati in vain

NiobeNiobe• Captain of the Captain of the LogosLogos• Morpheus’s old flame (dated Morpheus’s old flame (dated

Lock for a bit)Lock for a bit)• Destroys the skyscraper’s Destroys the skyscraper’s

power plant in “Reloaded”power plant in “Reloaded”• Lends Neo the use of her ship in Lends Neo the use of her ship in

the third film, and pilots the the third film, and pilots the HammerHammer through mechanical through mechanical line in order to save Zion with an line in order to save Zion with an EMP blastEMP blast

• Name based on a mythical Name based on a mythical woman who was more fertile woman who was more fertile than the gods, who killed her than the gods, who killed her children after she boasted of her children after she boasted of her fertility; she soon committed fertility; she soon committed suicide or turned to stone suicide or turned to stone (accounts vary) with tears still (accounts vary) with tears still on her faceon her face

SorenSoren

• The captain of the The captain of the VigilantVigilant, which , which means “watchful” or “alert”means “watchful” or “alert”

• He’s the first to volunteer to search for He’s the first to volunteer to search for the the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

• While the ship’s crew is supposed to be While the ship’s crew is supposed to be carrying out a dangerous mission carrying out a dangerous mission inside the Matrix, the inside the Matrix, the

Commander LockCommander Lock

• The military leader of ZionThe military leader of Zion• He and Morpheus often butt headsHe and Morpheus often butt heads• He and Niobe have a brief relationshipHe and Niobe have a brief relationship• Cynical and jaded, Lock tends to disbelieveCynical and jaded, Lock tends to disbelieve

prophecies – andprophecies – and

consequentlyconsequently

does not believedoes not believe

in Neoin Neo

Captain MifuneCaptain Mifune

• The hard-boiled captain of Zion’s APU The hard-boiled captain of Zion’s APU corps, Mifune sacrifices himself to save corps, Mifune sacrifices himself to save the city’s population by standing alone the city’s population by standing alone against a massive wave of Sentinelsagainst a massive wave of Sentinels

Captain RolandCaptain Roland

• The blunt, coarse captain of the The blunt, coarse captain of the MjolnirMjolnir ((HammerHammer), Roland tends to favor force ), Roland tends to favor force in most situationsin most situations

• Refuses to lend Neo his ship, but Refuses to lend Neo his ship, but defends it from Sentinel attacks long defends it from Sentinel attacks long enough for Niobe to get the enough for Niobe to get the HammerHammer back to Zionback to Zion

Other Figures: The MerovingianOther Figures: The Merovingian

• The Merovingian is a very old, very The Merovingian is a very old, very dangerous programdangerous program

• He employs the Trainman, and thus He employs the Trainman, and thus controls which programs may enter controls which programs may enter the Matrix from the Machine Worldthe Matrix from the Machine World

• He holds the Keymaker hostage in He holds the Keymaker hostage in “Reloaded,” places a bounty on the “Reloaded,” places a bounty on the NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar crew’s heads, and crew’s heads, and captures Neocaptures Neo

• He is the films’ main voice in favor He is the films’ main voice in favor of hard determinism – absolute of hard determinism – absolute causality – and believes that causality – and believes that “choice is an illusion offered by “choice is an illusion offered by those who have power to those those who have power to those without it.”without it.”

• The Merovingians were old French The Merovingians were old French kings who supposedly protected kings who supposedly protected the Holy Grailthe Holy Grail

PersephonePersephone

• The Merovingian’s mistreated wife, named after The Merovingian’s mistreated wife, named after the mythical Queen of the Underworld/Hellthe mythical Queen of the Underworld/Hell

• If he is “cause,” she is “effect” – she allows If he is “cause,” she is “effect” – she allows Morpheus, Neo, and Trinity to retrieve theMorpheus, Neo, and Trinity to retrieve the

KeymakerKeymaker

• She kisses Neo,She kisses Neo,

and grimly hints thatand grimly hints that

Trinity is doomedTrinity is doomed

The TwinsThe Twins• Remnants of the original Matrix now employed as the Remnants of the original Matrix now employed as the

Merovingian’s henchmenMerovingian’s henchmen• They represent the “ghosts” – programs that misbehave They represent the “ghosts” – programs that misbehave

and rebel against the system that created themand rebel against the system that created them

BaneBane• Bane’s name means many things – “death,” Bane’s name means many things – “death,”

“curse,” “foe,” etc.“curse,” “foe,” etc.• He is a He is a CaduceusCaduceus crewman who is hacked by crewman who is hacked by

Smith after making contact with the OracleSmith after making contact with the Oracle• Tries to kill Neo and Trinity aboard the Tries to kill Neo and Trinity aboard the

LogosLogos, and , and successfully successfully destroys the destroys the human fleet with an human fleet with an EMP in “Reloaded”EMP in “Reloaded”

• Blinds Neo during Blinds Neo during their fight, but is their fight, but is killed after Neo killed after Neo develops “second develops “second sight”sight”

The ArchitectThe Architect• A program from the Machine World who creates the MatrixA program from the Machine World who creates the Matrix• He is unable to create a successful Matrix until the Oracle tells He is unable to create a successful Matrix until the Oracle tells

him to give humans the right to choosehim to give humans the right to choose• Explains the function of the One to NeoExplains the function of the One to Neo• Agrees to let humans go free if they wish to leave the Matrix in Agrees to let humans go free if they wish to leave the Matrix in

the endthe end

Rama-Kandra and KamalaRama-Kandra and Kamala

• Sati’s parents; Neo meets them in the Sati’s parents; Neo meets them in the Train StationTrain Station

• They give the Merovingian the Oracle’s They give the Merovingian the Oracle’s deletion codes in exchange for their deletion codes in exchange for their daughter’s safe daughter’s safe passage into the passage into the MatrixMatrix

• Discuss love and Discuss love and karmakarma

Important Dialogue!Important Dialogue!

• Neo: I just have never... Neo: I just have never... • Rama-Kandra: ...heard a program speak of love? Rama-Kandra: ...heard a program speak of love? • Neo: It's a... human emotion. Neo: It's a... human emotion. • Rama-Kandra: No, it is a word. What matters is the Rama-Kandra: No, it is a word. What matters is the

connection the word implies…I see that you are in connection the word implies…I see that you are in love. Can you tell me what you would give to hold on love. Can you tell me what you would give to hold on to that connection? to that connection?

• Neo: Anything.Neo: Anything.• Rama-Kandra: Then perhaps the reason you're here Rama-Kandra: Then perhaps the reason you're here

is not so different from the reason I'm here.is not so different from the reason I'm here.– Note the foreshadowing, as well as emphasis on both love Note the foreshadowing, as well as emphasis on both love

and sacrificeand sacrifice

SatiSati• Sati is the Last Exile (Exiles are Sati is the Last Exile (Exiles are

programs from the Machine programs from the Machine World that flee to the Matrix and World that flee to the Matrix and hide rather than face deletion)hide rather than face deletion)

• She has a talent for creating She has a talent for creating beauty, but the machines have no beauty, but the machines have no use for ituse for it

• She is deemed to lack purpose, She is deemed to lack purpose, and faces deletion – which is why and faces deletion – which is why Rama-Kandra and Kamala are Rama-Kandra and Kamala are sneaking her through the Train sneaking her through the Train Station, and why they were Station, and why they were willing to sacrifice the Oracle in willing to sacrifice the Oracle in order to do soorder to do so

The TrainmanThe Trainman

• The “God” of the Train StationThe “God” of the Train Station

• Operates the train that ferries programs Operates the train that ferries programs from the Machine City to the Matrixfrom the Machine City to the Matrix

• Think of him as Satan’s Vasudeva; Think of him as Satan’s Vasudeva; based on Charon, the ferryman on the based on Charon, the ferryman on the River StyxRiver Styx

The Deus ex MachinaThe Deus ex Machina

• The central Machine God/IntelligenceThe central Machine God/Intelligence• Guards the Source in the Machine CityGuards the Source in the Machine City• Teams with Neo to destroy Smith, and ends Teams with Neo to destroy Smith, and ends

the war between the humans and machinesthe war between the humans and machines

NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar

• The trilogy’s main shipThe trilogy’s main ship• Used to rescue Neo and ferry Morpheus aboutUsed to rescue Neo and ferry Morpheus about• Named after a king of Babylon from Biblical timesNamed after a king of Babylon from Biblical times• Nebuchadnezzar was haunted by a prophetic, Nebuchadnezzar was haunted by a prophetic,

recurring dream about the rise and fall of empires in recurring dream about the rise and fall of empires in the worldthe world

• He refused to heed the prophicies, and was He refused to heed the prophicies, and was eventually driven insane when he is humbled by Godeventually driven insane when he is humbled by God– Ironic, considering that the ship’s destruction follows an Ironic, considering that the ship’s destruction follows an

entire film in which characters put too entire film in which characters put too much much stock in stock in prophecyprophecy

OsirisOsiris

• This ship first glimpsed the Machine This ship first glimpsed the Machine Armada at the surface of the Earth, and Armada at the surface of the Earth, and sacrificed itself in order to report the sacrificed itself in order to report the coming onslaught to Niobecoming onslaught to Niobe

• Named after the Egyptian god of deathNamed after the Egyptian god of death– Interesting, once again – the ship named Interesting, once again – the ship named

after the god of death as the herald of the after the god of death as the herald of the coming destructioncoming destruction

CaduceusCaduceus

• Takes its name from the symbol below, Takes its name from the symbol below, which is ironically often used to signify which is ironically often used to signify something that aids otherssomething that aids others

• The ship makes contact with the OracleThe ship makes contact with the Oracle

• Bane, a crewman on theBane, a crewman on the

CaduceusCaduceus, is the one who , is the one who

sets off the EMP that sets off the EMP that

cripples the human fleetcripples the human fleet

VigilantVigilant

• This is Captain Soren’s shipe This is Captain Soren’s shipe

• It is destroyed by a Sentinel’s bombing It is destroyed by a Sentinel’s bombing attack while the crew is still jacked into attack while the crew is still jacked into the Matrix (attempting to corrupt the the Matrix (attempting to corrupt the skyscraper power-source’s fail-safe skyscraper power-source’s fail-safe subroutines)subroutines)

• The name means “alert” or “watchful”The name means “alert” or “watchful”

LogosLogos

• Niobe’s ship in “Reloaded”; Neo uses it in Niobe’s ship in “Reloaded”; Neo uses it in “Revolutions” to head to the Machine City“Revolutions” to head to the Machine City

• It is smaller and faster than the other ships in It is smaller and faster than the other ships in the human fleet, and is excellent for the human fleet, and is excellent for reconnaissance and communicationreconnaissance and communication

• LogosLogos translates into “wisdom” or translates into “wisdom” or “knowledge”; in the Holy Trinity of “knowledge”; in the Holy Trinity of Christianity, Jesus Christ embodies the Christianity, Jesus Christ embodies the logoslogos aspect of the triad aspect of the triad– This means our Christ figure heads toward the This means our Christ figure heads toward the

Machine City in a ship named after Christ!Machine City in a ship named after Christ!

Hammer (Mjolnir)Hammer (Mjolnir)

• While this ship is referred to as the While this ship is referred to as the HammerHammer, it’s , it’s actually called the actually called the MjolnirMjolnir – “Thor’s Hammer” in – “Thor’s Hammer” in NorseNorse

• Thor was the God of thunder in Norse mythology, Thor was the God of thunder in Norse mythology, and it only makes sense that the and it only makes sense that the MjolnirMjolnir – the – the biggest, strongest human ship – would take such a biggest, strongest human ship – would take such a name (especially considering it uses an EMP, which name (especially considering it uses an EMP, which looks for all intents and purposes like lightning)looks for all intents and purposes like lightning)

• Its crew is named after guns or weaponry (Maggie Its crew is named after guns or weaponry (Maggie [Magnum], AK, etc.), and Roland is an incredibly [Magnum], AK, etc.), and Roland is an incredibly blunt and brutish commanderblunt and brutish commander

• The ship’s return to Zion is, appropriately, a hammer The ship’s return to Zion is, appropriately, a hammer blow – smashing through a gate as it blows an EMPblow – smashing through a gate as it blows an EMP

The Icarus MythThe Icarus Myth

• Daedalus (father, inventor) and Icarus (son) are Daedalus (father, inventor) and Icarus (son) are imprisoned atop a giant towerimprisoned atop a giant tower

• Daedalus devises an escape by constructing wings Daedalus devises an escape by constructing wings for himself and his son out of beeswax and feathersfor himself and his son out of beeswax and feathers

• Before the pair flies from the prison, Daedalus warns Before the pair flies from the prison, Daedalus warns Icarus not to fly too close to the sunIcarus not to fly too close to the sun– The heat would melt the wax, which would in turn release The heat would melt the wax, which would in turn release

the feathers from the makeshift wingsthe feathers from the makeshift wings

• Unfortunately, Icarus becomes too excited while Unfortunately, Icarus becomes too excited while flying, and heads higher into the skyflying, and heads higher into the sky– His wings disintegrate, and he plummets into the seaHis wings disintegrate, and he plummets into the sea– A heartbroken Daedalus must carry on, flying until he A heartbroken Daedalus must carry on, flying until he

reaches the mainland againreaches the mainland again

Why Does This Matter?Why Does This Matter?

• The destruction of the The destruction of the LogosLogos in in “Revolutions” seems to reflect the myth “Revolutions” seems to reflect the myth pretty clearly – from Trinity’s open pretty clearly – from Trinity’s open excitement upon seeing the sun for the first excitement upon seeing the sun for the first time (remember, she had been born in time (remember, she had been born in “prison,” i.e. the Matrix) to the plunge toward “prison,” i.e. the Matrix) to the plunge toward doomdoom– Neo must also soldier on after the loss of his Neo must also soldier on after the loss of his

belovedbeloved• We get a bit of foreshadowing that the myth We get a bit of foreshadowing that the myth

will be important during “Reloaded,” when a will be important during “Reloaded,” when a woman wants Neo to watch over her son woman wants Neo to watch over her son aboard a ship called the aboard a ship called the IcarusIcarus

Religion and Philosophy Religion and Philosophy in Our “Trilogy”in Our “Trilogy”

• In order to “completely” understand the trilogy, we In order to “completely” understand the trilogy, we need to understand the ways in which the following need to understand the ways in which the following are important to the films: are important to the films: – Plato (Allegory of the Cave)Plato (Allegory of the Cave)– Socrates & the OracleSocrates & the Oracle– Descartes and Dream SkepticismDescartes and Dream Skepticism– Soren Kirkegaard, the Nature of Faith, and the Effects of Soren Kirkegaard, the Nature of Faith, and the Effects of

ChoiceChoice– Causality, Determinism, Compatibilism, and Free WillCausality, Determinism, Compatibilism, and Free Will– ChristianityChristianity– BuddhismBuddhism– GnosticismGnosticism– HinduismHinduism– TaoismTaoism

That’s a Lot to Follow!That’s a Lot to Follow!

• Yes, but your packets cover almost Yes, but your packets cover almost everything.everything.– You really don’t need anything extra on You really don’t need anything extra on

Christianity, Buddhism, Gnosticism, Plato, Christianity, Buddhism, Gnosticism, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, or the Oracle of DelphiSocrates, Aristotle, or the Oracle of Delphi

• Never fear.Never fear.

Let’s Start with SorenLet’s Start with Soren

• Soren Kirkegaard was a 19Soren Kirkegaard was a 19thth-century -century philosopher who served as the source for philosopher who served as the source for Captain Soren’s last nameCaptain Soren’s last name

• Many of Kirkegaard’s philosophical writings Many of Kirkegaard’s philosophical writings concerned the nature of faith (or aspects of concerned the nature of faith (or aspects of it)it)– Kirkegaard was also fascinated by human beings’ Kirkegaard was also fascinated by human beings’

relationship with choice, and the emotional relationship with choice, and the emotional factors that influence choicefactors that influence choice

– The themes Kirkegaard explored fascinated the The themes Kirkegaard explored fascinated the Wachowskis, who based a significant chunk of Wachowskis, who based a significant chunk of their trilogy around the exploration of these ideas their trilogy around the exploration of these ideas (choice, faith, emotion, etc.)(choice, faith, emotion, etc.)

The Other PhilosophersThe Other Philosophers

• You can find these in your packets; You can find these in your packets; most of them are in the Dream most of them are in the Dream Skepticism/Brains in Vats/Experience Skepticism/Brains in Vats/Experience Machine packet, whereas others are in Machine packet, whereas others are in the Problem is Choice/Bake Your the Problem is Choice/Bake Your Noodle packetNoodle packet

• Let’s move into a brief discussion of Let’s move into a brief discussion of Hinduism before concludingHinduism before concluding

Hinduism and the MatrixHinduism and the Matrix

• ““Everything which has a beginning has an Everything which has a beginning has an ending” is adapted from the ending” is adapted from the Bhagavad GitaBhagavad Gita– Ironically enough, this holy text was a major Ironically enough, this holy text was a major

inspiration for inspiration for SiddharthaSiddhartha• Hinduism looms large over the trilogy, Hinduism looms large over the trilogy,

particularly in the idea that all we see is particularly in the idea that all we see is illusory, and that reality lies behind the lies illusory, and that reality lies behind the lies before our eyesbefore our eyes– This idea is tied into the definition of This idea is tied into the definition of mayamaya, which , which

I’ll get into on the next slideI’ll get into on the next slide• We also get a bonus mention of karma – our We also get a bonus mention of karma – our

old best friend from the old best friend from the SiddharthaSiddhartha unit unit

MayaMaya

• Theoretically, everything you experience is not Theoretically, everything you experience is not everything there everything there isis to experience – you see only to experience – you see only Maya, and not Brahman, the ultimate spirit of the Maya, and not Brahman, the ultimate spirit of the universeuniverse

• This makes Maya part of an illusion – a fake reality This makes Maya part of an illusion – a fake reality that exists only in the parts of our mind that perceive that exists only in the parts of our mind that perceive physicality – because it is extremely limited, and physicality – because it is extremely limited, and serves to divorce us from the “truth” of Brahmaserves to divorce us from the “truth” of Brahma– Lesser minds simply accept what they see; these minds are Lesser minds simply accept what they see; these minds are

trapped, and will never experience the world as it existstrapped, and will never experience the world as it exists– In order to develop, humans must learn to discipline their In order to develop, humans must learn to discipline their

minds and see past/reject the illusory worldminds and see past/reject the illusory world– Sound familiar?Sound familiar?

Last Important SlideLast Important Slide• Triads/triangles/trinities are almost, if not as, important to the trilogy Triads/triangles/trinities are almost, if not as, important to the trilogy

(look, another three!) as dualism and duality(look, another three!) as dualism and duality• Hinduism features a triad, called the Trimurti, composed of Brahman, Hinduism features a triad, called the Trimurti, composed of Brahman,

Vishnu, and ShivaVishnu, and Shiva• In the trilogy, we can see each of these aspects in the In the trilogy, we can see each of these aspects in the

machines/programsmachines/programs– Brahman, who represents “the Source,” is represented here by the Brahman, who represents “the Source,” is represented here by the

Architect (creation)Architect (creation)– Vishnu, who represents preservation, is represented here by the OracleVishnu, who represents preservation, is represented here by the Oracle– Shiva, who represents destruction, is represented here by NeoShiva, who represents destruction, is represented here by Neo– However, the characters can fulfill many roles; one could argue that the However, the characters can fulfill many roles; one could argue that the

Architect serves as destroyer, and that the Oracle is responsible for just as Architect serves as destroyer, and that the Oracle is responsible for just as much destruction as Neo. For that matter, Neo helps to create (resetting the much destruction as Neo. For that matter, Neo helps to create (resetting the Matrix) and maintain (preserving the Matrix cycle)Matrix) and maintain (preserving the Matrix cycle)

– ……so the Wachowski’s haven’t established a clear-cut framework here. But so the Wachowski’s haven’t established a clear-cut framework here. But what else is new?what else is new?

That’s It!That’s It!

• You made it! Congratulations!You made it! Congratulations!

• There’s other stuff that I would have There’s other stuff that I would have liked to cover – the Grail Myth, Taoism, liked to cover – the Grail Myth, Taoism, etc. – but we’re out of time. etc. – but we’re out of time.

• I’m sure some of the other material will I’m sure some of the other material will show up in our later literature – show up in our later literature – BeowulfBeowulf, , Oedipus RexOedipus Rex and the like. and the like.

• Good luck studying!Good luck studying!