Who is the True Evil: Chara or Frisk? Unraveling the Morality of Undertale
The question of whether Chara or Frisk is the true evil in the critically acclaimed indie RPG, Undertale, has sparked countless debates within the fanbase. While both characters occupy crucial roles in the game’s narrative, attributing the label of “evil” to either one requires a nuanced understanding of their actions, motivations, and, most importantly, player agency. The straightforward answer, however, leans heavily towards Frisk being the instrument of evil, driven by the player’s choices, while Chara’s role is far more complex. Chara is not the puppeteer pulling the strings; instead, they are a consequence of the player’s actions.
The Player’s Hand: Frisk’s Agency
In Undertale, Frisk is the silent protagonist. They are the vessel through which the player interacts with the game world. On a Pacifist Route, Frisk embodies kindness, compassion, and determination, befriending the monsters and striving for peace. However, on a Genocide Route, Frisk transforms into a merciless killer, slaughtering every monster in their path. This stark contrast highlights the central point: Frisk’s actions are almost entirely dependent on the player’s choices.
The Genocide Route is not something Frisk initiates on their own. It is a deliberate path chosen by the player. Every act of violence, every discarded mercy, every merciless fight, is a conscious decision made by the person holding the controller, not by Frisk. Frisk is a mirror reflecting the player’s intent. They are not inherently evil; they become evil when the player guides them down that path. Therefore, the Genocide Route villain is more accurately the player, working through Frisk.
The Complex Case of Chara
Chara, the First Fallen Human, is a far more enigmatic character than Frisk. They are not directly controlled by the player; instead, Chara is a presence that grows stronger as the Genocide Route progresses. Chara’s voice is heard in the late stages, and they ultimately take full control at the end of the route, erasing the world. However, Chara’s presence is not the catalyst for the violence itself.
Chara’s story is one of suffering. They had a difficult past on the surface world and chose to seek refuge in the monster world. It was not by malevolence, but by a desperate attempt to escape their own misery and the cruelty of the human world, and Chara’s initial intentions seemed to be for a good end. During their time in the Underground, their desire to change things to their benefit seemed to increase to the point they were willing to kill in order to accomplish that. It is the player’s actions and destruction that awaken Chara’s “evil” spirit.
The player’s Genocide run forces Chara to confront their own buried darkness. The route effectively denies them any chance of redemption. As the player continues to inflict pain and destruction, Chara’s resentment and hatred are amplified, and when finally given the chance to confront the player, they claim agency, taking responsibility for their own actions after having been guided down a dark path. Chara’s “evil” is a byproduct of the player’s actions, not its origin. They are a reactive force, not an initiating one, driven by a desire for retribution against the world for their suffering.
Understanding the Nuances
It’s crucial to recognize that Chara’s actions are a direct response to the player’s cruelty. They aren’t manipulating the player into starting a Genocide Route. The player’s choices on how they play the game is the main cause for evil, not Chara. They are a product of the actions they have witnessed, a manifestation of the negativity the player chooses to unleash upon the game’s world.
While the Genocide Route’s ending does see Chara take an active role in destroying the world, it’s essential to remember that they are, in a sense, cleaning up the player’s mess. If the player hadn’t embarked on a Genocide Route, Chara wouldn’t have awakened in the same way, and wouldn’t have been placed in that position. Therefore, Chara can be seen more as a tragic figure, a victim of circumstance, rather than the true source of evil. They become corrupted by the player’s violent actions, not evil by nature.
Conclusion
In summary, while Chara is certainly capable of destruction and has a complex, often misunderstood morality, they are not the initial or primary villain of the Genocide Route. Frisk, under the player’s control, is the active force behind the slaughter. The player makes the decisions, and Frisk carries them out. Chara is awakened and shaped by the player’s actions and their presence acts as a culmination of the player’s actions. The true evil in a Genocide Route lies not within a single character, but within the player’s choices. Therefore, when looking at who is the “true evil” in the game, it is the player causing the actions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Chara really the bad guy?
No, Chara is not inherently evil. Their actions are a response to the player’s choices on the Genocide Route. They’re a tragic figure, shaped by the violence they witness and the suffering they endured. The player’s influence is the cause of corruption within the game.
2. Is Frisk the evil one?
Frisk is only evil if the player makes them so. On the Pacifist route, Frisk is kind and compassionate. On the Genocide Route, they are ruthless and merciless. Their nature is directly dependent on the player’s decisions. Therefore, the player is the one responsible for the actions of Frisk, which would make the player the main “evil” cause.
3. Who is the main villain of Undertale?
Flowey is the main antagonist throughout the game, driven by a desire to see the world’s destruction. However, the “villain” of the Genocide Route is arguably the player, as they are the ones actively choosing to destroy the world through Frisk.
4. What is Chara’s motivation?
Chara’s motivations are complex and evolve throughout the game. Initially, Chara had a motivation to seek a better life and a purpose. On the Genocide Route, their motivations are primarily driven by a vengeful desire to destroy what has hurt them and the player, fueled by the player’s destructive choices.
5. Why is Chara so evil on the Genocide Route?
Chara becomes increasingly malicious on the Genocide Route due to the player’s constant violence. The player’s actions awaken and amplify Chara’s own negative feelings, eventually leading to their control of Frisk and the world’s erasure.
6. Why is Flowey so evil?
Flowey is evil because he lacks a soul and can’t feel positive emotions. He is driven by a nihilistic desire to see the world destroyed or, at least, to experience something that isn’t constant boredom.
7. How can Frisk become evil?
Frisk becomes evil through the player’s choices on the Genocide Route. Every monster killed, every act of violence, and every decision to reject mercy makes Frisk more and more of an antagonist.
8. Who saved Frisk?
Monster Kid often accidentally saves Frisk in their excitement of Undyne. When Undyne destroys a bridge, Frisk falls to the dump where they recollect a memory. This is a key moment that demonstrates a more in-depth storyline.
9. Are Chara and Frisk siblings?
No, this is a common misconception. Chara and Frisk are not related within the game canon. The idea of them being siblings is a fan theory from different game continuities.
10. Who betrayed Chara?
In the game, Asriel betrayed Chara, though it can be argued that both of them had a part to play in each other’s downfall. It was Asriel who did not fulfill Chara’s final wish, thus leading to the death of both.
11. Why does Frisk become Chara?
Frisk does not become Chara. Instead, Chara’s spirit, awakened by the player’s actions on the Genocide Route, begins to influence and eventually take control of Frisk. The player corrupts Frisk, enabling Chara’s influence.
12. Who kills Frisk?
On some endings, Frisk is killed by Asgore. Asgore uses Frisk’s soul along with other fallen humans’ souls to break the barrier.
13. Is Alphys evil?
Alphys is not inherently evil. She is portrayed as a flawed character, making mistakes but with the intent to help others, however it is more selfish than selfless. In some fan-created content, she is portrayed as evil.
14. Why is Flowey scared of Frisk?
Flowey is terrified of Frisk on the Genocide Route because he recognizes they have become a force of pure destruction, completely devoid of mercy. He realizes that Frisk is capable of killing anything, including him.
15. Does Flowey think Frisk is Chara?
At times, Flowey mistakes Frisk for Chara because of the similarities between their actions on the Genocide Route and what he remembers of Chara. However, he also knows they are different. It’s more that Frisk becomes like Chara due to the player’s influence.