Does Asriel Turn Evil? A Deep Dive into Undertale’s Most Tragic Character
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Yes, in a way, Asriel does turn evil, but the story is far more nuanced than a simple “good guy gone bad” narrative. His descent into what could be considered evil is a direct consequence of his resurrection as Flowey, a being devoid of a soul and, consequently, the capacity for empathy and love. The game Undertale explores the tragic circumstances that lead Asriel to this point, highlighting the complexities of morality and the impact of trauma on character development.
From Prince to Flower: The Loss of a Soul
The Seeds of Tragedy
Before becoming Flowey, Asriel Dreemurr was the beloved son of Toriel and Asgore, the royal family of the Underground. He was known for his kindness and compassion, especially towards Chara, the first human to fall into the Underground. The bond between Asriel and Chara was incredibly strong, solidifying their place as siblings.
However, the story takes a dark turn when Chara becomes ill and dies. In their final wish, Chara expressed a desire to see the golden flowers of their village. Fueled by love, Asriel absorbs Chara’s soul and crosses the barrier, becoming immensely powerful. He carries Chara’s body to the surface.
The villagers, misunderstanding Asriel’s intentions and believing he had killed Chara, attack him. Despite his power, Asriel refuses to fight back, a decision that ultimately leads to his death upon returning to the Underground.
The Resurrection and its Consequences
After Asriel’s death, his dust spread across the garden in New Home. Dr. Alphys, the royal scientist, later conducts experiments with determination, injecting it into a golden flower in the garden. This flower, imbued with Asriel’s essence and memories, gains sentience. However, because the flower lacks a soul, it is unable to feel emotions like love, empathy, or compassion. This is the birth of Flowey.
Flowey’s Empty Existence
Without a soul, Flowey is driven by a nihilistic curiosity. He experiments with the timeline, resets, and manipulates the events of the Underground, seeking stimulation and entertainment in a world he can no longer connect with emotionally. He displays manipulative behavior, seeking power at the expense of others. This includes attempting to steal the human souls to achieve god-like power. His actions throughout the game are undoubtedly evil, driven by a lack of empathy and a twisted sense of purpose.
Redemption and Forgiveness
The Power of Souls
During the final battle of the Pacifist Route, Frisk, the player character, is able to reach out to Asriel’s lost soul using the power of their determination and the souls of Frisk’s friends. By appealing to the memories and emotions that still linger within him, Frisk helps Asriel temporarily regain his true form and his ability to feel compassion.
Asriel’s Regret
In this moment of clarity, Asriel realizes the gravity of his actions as Flowey. He acknowledges the pain he has caused and expresses deep remorse for his behavior. He apologizes to Frisk and recognizes the importance of love and friendship. This redemption is a crucial part of Undertale’s message of forgiveness and the potential for change, even after immense darkness.
A Bitter Farewell
Despite his redemption, Asriel knows he cannot remain in his true form. He must release the souls he has absorbed, which will cause him to revert back to Flowey. Asriel also understands that he cannot cross the barrier into the human world because he does not have a soul. He chooses to stay behind in the Underground, alone, unable to feel love or connect with others.
The Ambiguity of Flowey’s Fate
The ending of Undertale leaves Flowey’s fate somewhat ambiguous. It is unclear whether he is able to learn from his experiences or whether he will continue to exist in a state of emotional detachment. Some interpretations suggest that Flowey retains a faint glimmer of Asriel’s memories and may even be capable of a limited form of kindness, even without a soul. The true nature of Flowey after the events of the game is left up to the player’s interpretation, adding another layer of complexity to this tragic character. The exploration of this complexity could be a great discussion point for members of the Games Learning Society. You can find more information about the society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Asriel
1. Was Asriel always evil?
No, Asriel was not always evil. He was a kind and compassionate child before his death and resurrection as Flowey. His lack of a soul is what caused his descent into malevolent behavior.
2. Why did Asriel betray Chara?
The question specifically mentioned that Asriel betrayed Chara. However, this is a point of contention within the fandom, Asriel, in his original form, was never shown to betray Chara.
3. Why does Flowey not have a soul?
Flowey does not have a soul because he was created from a flower injected with determination, which gave it sentience and memories but could not replicate the essence of a soul.
4. Can you save Asriel permanently in Undertale?
You cannot save Asriel permanently in Undertale without resetting the game. At the end of the Pacifist Route, he reverts to Flowey and remains in the Underground.
5. Why is Flowey scared of Chara?
Flowey is scared of Chara because he recognizes the genocidal potential within them and fears being a victim of their destructive impulses.
6. Did Asriel kill Chara?
Asriel did not directly kill Chara. Chara died from an illness. Asriel absorbed Chara’s soul after their death to fulfill their wish of seeing the golden flowers.
7. Who is the main villain of Undertale?
While Flowey acts as an antagonist, the true antagonist of Undertale is Chara. They are the one that triggers the events in the genocide ending.
8. How did Asriel die?
Asriel died from injuries sustained after being attacked by villagers on the surface, who mistakenly believed he had killed Chara.
9. Does Asriel turn back into Flowey after the Pacifist ending?
Yes, Asriel turns back into Flowey after releasing the souls, as he is unable to maintain his true form without them.
10. Why is Chara considered evil?
Chara is considered evil due to their actions in the Genocide Route, where they manipulate the player into destroying the entire Underground. It is implied that they had a dark side or motive to destroy the world even before they fell into the Underground.
11. Is Sans a hero or villain?
Sans is neither a hero nor a villain in the traditional sense. He acts as a moral compass, punishing the player for their actions in the Genocide Route. In other routes, he is generally a supportive character.
12. Is Dr. Alphys evil?
Dr. Alphys is not inherently evil, but her experiments with determination have unintended and devastating consequences, contributing to the creation of Flowey and the Amalgamates.
13. What is the true ending of Undertale?
The True Pacifist ending is generally considered the true ending of Undertale, where Frisk saves all of the monsters and befriends Asriel, though he ultimately remains Flowey.
14. What happens to Flowey after Undertale’s ending?
What happens to Flowey after the ending is ambiguous, but it is implied he continues to exist in the Underground, still lacking a soul.
15. Is Undertale suitable for children?
Undertale’s suitability for children depends on the child. While it has charming characters and a heartwarming story, it also deals with themes of death, violence, and moral ambiguity, which may be too intense for younger or more sensitive children.