Who is the Hero in Undertale?
The question of who the hero of Undertale truly is doesn’t have a simple, straightforward answer. While Frisk is presented as the main protagonist, the game cleverly subverts traditional heroic narratives. Ultimately, the true hero depends entirely on the player’s actions and choices. In a True Pacifist Route, the player, through Frisk, becomes the hero by showing mercy, kindness, and determination to unite monsters and humans. However, a Genocide Route paints a drastically different picture, where Frisk, influenced by the player, becomes the villain. The game’s brilliance lies in its ability to implicate the player in the story, blurring the lines between character and controller, and forcing a critical examination of morality and choice in video games. Undertale challenges the notion of a pre-defined hero and instead empowers the player to create their own narrative, shaping the world and characters around them.
Understanding the Protagonists and Their Roles
Undertale features several characters central to the narrative, each with distinct roles that contribute to the unfolding story. Let’s explore these roles, and how they relate to the concept of heroism.
Frisk: The Player’s Avatar
Frisk is the fallen human, the character the player controls. Their default nature is a blank slate, reflecting the player’s decisions. In a Pacifist run, Frisk embodies compassion and understanding, solving conflicts through non-violence and forging friendships with the monsters of the Underground. In a Genocide run, Frisk becomes a vessel for destruction, driven by the player’s desire for power and fueled by Chara’s influence. It’s important to remember that Frisk’s actions are entirely dictated by the player, making the player an integral part of the narrative.
Sans: The Complicated Judge
Sans is a fan favorite character, known for his laid-back attitude and cryptic knowledge. While he doesn’t actively intervene in most situations, he serves as a judge of the player’s actions, particularly in the Genocide Route. He only fights the player if they have systematically murdered all the monsters, indicating that he prioritizes the safety and well-being of others, even if it means sacrificing his own life. This makes him an anti-hero, acting when absolutely necessary to defend the innocent.
Chara: The Narrator of Destruction
Chara, the first fallen human, is a complex and controversial character. They are often viewed as the villain of the Genocide Route, but their actions are largely interpreted through the player’s influence on Frisk. If the player consistently chooses violence, Chara awakens and takes control, ultimately erasing the world. Some argue that Chara is simply a reflection of the player’s evil choices, while others believe they are a malevolent force driving the player towards destruction. Regardless of the interpretation, Chara’s presence highlights the consequences of unchecked power and the corrupting influence of violence.
The True Pacifist Route: A Collective Heroism
The True Pacifist Route is arguably the most rewarding and emotionally fulfilling path in Undertale. In this route, the player, through Frisk, befriends all the main characters, resolves past conflicts, and ultimately frees the monsters from the Underground. This outcome emphasizes the importance of empathy, forgiveness, and the power of collective action. The true hero in this scenario isn’t just Frisk, but the entire community of monsters and humans working together for a better future. This is a testament to the values of cooperation, understanding, and the belief in second chances.
Challenging Traditional Heroism
Undertale cleverly deconstructs the typical “hero’s journey” found in many video games and stories. There is no external threat that Frisk must defeat to save the world, at least not in the traditional sense. The main challenge is internal: the player must choose between violence and compassion, between destruction and understanding. This choice ultimately determines whether Frisk becomes a hero or a villain, highlighting the power of personal responsibility and the impact of individual actions on the world.
The Importance of Choice and Consequence
The core theme of Undertale is choice and consequence. Every action, every decision, has a ripple effect that shapes the narrative and affects the characters. This is particularly evident in the Genocide Route, where the player’s relentless pursuit of power leads to the destruction of the world and the corruption of Frisk. Undertale serves as a powerful reminder that even in a fictional world, actions have real consequences, and that violence is never the answer.
The complexities of this game, and others, can be further studied through organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Analyzing the design choices behind these mechanics can offer invaluable insight to both players and game developers. These sorts of mechanics could encourage further education in critical thinking skills, as explored by the GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the themes and characters in Undertale:
1. Is Frisk the main protagonist of Undertale?
Yes, Frisk is the main protagonist, but their character is shaped entirely by the player’s choices.
2. Is Sans the hero of Undertale?
Sans is more of an anti-hero, acting as a judge and only fighting to protect others in the Genocide Route.
3. Is Chara the villain of Undertale?
Chara’s role is debated. They are often seen as the villain of the Genocide Route, but some argue they are a reflection of the player’s choices.
4. Is Frisk a bad guy?
Frisk can become a villain if the player chooses the Genocide Route, where they inflict violence and destruction on the Underground.
5. Who is the evil one, Chara or Frisk?
In the Genocide Route, Frisk is the one performing the violent acts, while Chara is awakened and influenced by the player’s actions. It’s a complex relationship.
6. Is Chara pure evil?
Chara’s motivations are ambiguous, but their actions in the Genocide Route can be considered evil due to their involvement in destroying the world.
7. Is Papyrus a bad guy?
No, Papyrus is widely considered to be one of the most purely good and innocent characters in Undertale.
8. Does Frisk open their eyes?
Frisk typically has a squinting expression, but their eyes can open wider in certain situations.
9. Is Frisk a God?
No, Frisk is not a God. However, their Determination gives them incredible power and resilience.
10. Is Sans a good guy?
Sans is generally considered a good guy, as he protects the monsters and only fights when necessary.
11. Why is Flowey evil?
Flowey lacks a soul and cannot feel positive emotions, leading to a cruel and manipulative disposition.
12. Why did Asriel turn into Flowey?
Asriel turned into Flowey after releasing the souls of the humans and monsters, losing the ability to feel love and empathy.
13. What killed Chara in Undertale?
It is implied that Chara poisoned themselves with buttercups as part of a plan to help Asriel.
14. Who wins, Sans or Chara?
In the Genocide Route, Sans attempts to stop Frisk (controlled by the player and influenced by Chara), but ultimately cannot permanently defeat them. Chara erases the world.
15. Why does Frisk look like a girl?
Frisk’s appearance is intentionally ambiguous to avoid gender stereotypes and allow players to project themselves onto the character. They are referred to with gender-neutral pronouns in the game.