Is Horror Papyrus Nice? The Conflicting Nature of a Skeletal Cannibal
The question of whether Horror Papyrus is “nice” is complex and doesn’t lend itself to a simple yes or no answer. He embodies a chilling paradox: a cheerful, seemingly friendly monster who is also a cannibalistic killer. While his demeanor and personality might initially suggest kindness, his actions reveal a terrifying willingness to consume human flesh. This juxtaposition makes him one of the most unsettling characters within the Horrortale universe. So, while he may present himself as pleasant, one must always remember his underlying, horrific tendencies. Therefore, the short answer is: Horror Papyrus is not “nice” in the traditional sense, but instead a disturbing combination of sociability and brutality.
The Contradiction of Horror Papyrus
A Cheerful Demeanor
Horror Papyrus retains a facade of his original self. He is still very much cheerful and nice in his personality and demeanor. This friendliness often creates a false sense of security around him. He might smile, engage in conversations, and even try to make friends, just like the Papyrus of Undertale. This aspect of his character makes him deceptively disarming. His eagerness to connect with others, even in a post-apocalyptic, monster-eat-human world, is a twisted continuation of his original optimistic nature.
The Cannibalistic Reality
However, this cheerful exterior hides a deeply disturbing reality: he doesn’t dislike humans, and is willing to kill and eat them without hesitation. This makes him significantly different from the original Papyrus who, throughout Undertale, strives to avoid violence and befriends the human character. In Horrortale, his eagerness to form connections with humans often seems like a macabre prelude to consuming them. He doesn’t view humans with any kind of hatred that would explain the actions. He acts like cannibalism is as normal and friendly as any other social activity.
Why the Facade?
The question remains: why maintain a friendly facade? There might be a couple of reasons. First, it could be a form of coping mechanism in a world where violence and survival have become commonplace. Perhaps maintaining a semblance of normality helps him navigate the horrors of Horrortale. Alternatively, his friendliness could be a calculated strategy, allowing him to lure potential victims without raising suspicion. His genuine-seeming interactions may make his cannibalistic intentions all the more terrifying as his victims never expect it.
Implications of Cannibalism
The act of cannibalism itself adds another layer of horror to Papyrus’s character. It strips away the last vestiges of his innocent, naive nature. This grim reality is central to Horrortale’s themes of desperation and depravity. While in Undertale, Papyrus embodies hope and kindness, in Horrortale, his cannibalistic tendencies highlight the bleak and horrifying nature of the world he inhabits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Horror Papyrus
1. Is Horror Papyrus evil?
While not outright evil in the sense of actively seeking to harm everyone, Horror Papyrus’ actions are undeniably horrific. His willingness to kill and eat humans, coupled with his cheerful demeanor, places him in a moral gray area. He’s not a straightforward villain, but he’s certainly not a hero, either.
2. How does Horror Papyrus differ from original Papyrus?
The original Papyrus from Undertale is portrayed as innocent, kind, and always striving to do the right thing. Horror Papyrus, on the other hand, is a cannibal who is cheerfully willing to kill and eat humans. This is a major deviation from the character’s original nature, highlighting the twisted world of Horrortale.
3. Does Horror Papyrus feel any remorse?
There is no indication within established Horrortale content that Horror Papyrus feels any remorse for his actions. His cheerfulness seems unaffected by the horrors he commits, suggesting either a lack of empathy or a severe psychological detachment.
4. Does Horror Papyrus try to form friendships with humans just to eat them?
While he attempts to make friends, it’s ambiguous whether these attempts are purely for the purpose of eating them or if he experiences a distorted desire for genuine connection. His actions make it difficult to differentiate. It is this ambiguity that causes unease.
5. What happened to the other characters in Horrortale?
- Horrortale Sans is a far darker and more insane character who is an antagonist/protagonist.
- Horrortale Toriel quickly incinerates Flowey.
- Horrortale Aliza is an unlucky human who dies multiple times in the ruins.
- Horrortale Frisk is another human who passed through the underground and left, with little else known.
- Alphys in Horrortale was lobotomized by Sans.
6. What is the setting of Horrortale?
Horrortale is set in a timeline where Undyne took over the underground as the ruler after Frisk left. This has led to a harsh and desperate existence, where resources are scarce, and monsters resort to cannibalism to survive.
7. Does the world of Horrortale influence Papyrus’s actions?
Absolutely. The harsh environment of Horrortale is likely a major factor in Papyrus’ cannibalistic behavior. The desperate circumstances and lack of resources force monsters to make disturbing choices for survival.
8. Is Horror Papyrus aware that his actions are wrong?
It’s unclear if Horror Papyrus fully understands the morality of his actions. His cheerfulness, despite engaging in cannibalism, could indicate a distorted view of reality. He seems more like he has normalized it.
9. Is Horror Papyrus as powerful as original Papyrus?
While the specific capabilities of Horror Papyrus are not fully explored, he likely possesses similar powers to the original Papyrus, enhanced by the brutal nature of his environment. However, his motivations and actions are far different.
10. How does Horror Papyrus interact with other characters?
His interactions with other characters often reflect the desperation and dark nature of Horrortale. He may try to interact with others in his friendly way, despite the reality of his cannibalistic needs.
11. Is Horror Papyrus a fan-made creation?
Yes, Horrortale itself is a fan-made AU (Alternate Universe) of Undertale created by Tumblr user Sour-Apple-Studios. Horror Papyrus is a product of this alternate storyline.
12. Does Horror Papyrus wear anything different?
While the core design of Papyrus remains similar, in some depictions, Horror Papyrus may appear more tattered and dirty. This reflects the harsh conditions of Horrortale. He is usually depicted with a large crack in his skull.
13. What is the most disturbing aspect of Horror Papyrus?
The most disturbing aspect of Horror Papyrus is the juxtaposition of his cheerful demeanor and his cannibalistic tendencies. This combination makes him far more unsettling than a straightforward villain, as it plays on the dissonance between expected and actual behavior.
14. Does Horror Papyrus have any positive traits?
His apparent kindness and desire to form friendships could be seen as positive, albeit tragically twisted by his cannibalistic nature. However, these traits only contribute to his disturbing unpredictability.
15. Is Horrortale fully developed?
The game of Horrortale is still in the earliest stages of development, meaning that some aspects of Horror Papyrus’s character and the overarching story are still subject to change.