Decoding the Enigmatic Kiss: Why Did Ocelot Kiss Snake?
The kiss between Revolver Ocelot and Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is one of the most bizarre and memorable moments in the franchise. It’s a scene rife with complex layers of psychological warfare, manipulation, and a twisted sense of camaraderie that leaves many fans scratching their heads. The direct answer, though multifaceted, is that Ocelot kissed Snake primarily as a calculated act of provocation and mockery, further blurring the lines of their already complex relationship and furthering his long-game plan.
A Taunt Disguised as Intimacy
Ocelot’s kiss wasn’t born from affection or any traditional form of bonding. It was a performance. Throughout the Metal Gear Solid series, Ocelot frequently engages in theatrical displays, using words and actions to undermine his adversaries. The kiss, viewed through this lens, is another such display. He’s always mocking his perceived “father” Big Boss and “little brother” Solid Snake, even though their relationships lack true familial intimacy. The kiss is a deliberate act to highlight the warped, almost perverse, nature of their dynamic. He seeks to disturb Snake, to unsettle him emotionally, and, ultimately, to maintain a position of psychological dominance. It’s not a sign of friendship but rather a calculated maneuver within their antagonistic game.
Ocelot’s actions are further complicated by the persona of Liquid Snake. At this point in the storyline, Ocelot believes himself to be under the influence of Liquid’s personality due to nanomachines, hypnosis and psychotherapy. Liquid had deep-seated resentment towards Solid Snake, believing he possessed “superior” genetics. Kissing Snake is a way to express this twisted sibling rivalry, to humiliate the man whom Liquid considered his inferior and whom Liquid dedicated much of his life trying to destroy. Ocelot is not just mocking a “brotherly” relationship, he’s also mocking the hatred that Liquid held towards Snake.
The Layers of Ocelot’s Deception
The kiss, however, is not entirely devoid of deeper motivations. Ocelot is known for his complex web of allegiances and manipulations. His actions in MGS4 are part of a carefully orchestrated plan to destroy the Patriots, the all-powerful organization controlling the world. Ocelot uses this complex situation to his advantage. The kiss could also be seen as a way of playing his role, maintaining his disguise of “Liquid Ocelot,” and continuing to play the game until he could finally achieve his ultimate goal, which is destroying the Patriots and then fighting Snake for the final clash. It’s a move to ensure that even in his final moments, he’s still controlling the narrative.
Ultimately, Ocelot’s kiss is not an action that can be easily categorized or understood by standard means. It’s a powerful symbol of his twisted psychology, his manipulative nature, and the chaotic complexity of the Metal Gear Solid universe. It’s a moment designed to provoke, to disturb, and to reinforce the unconventional, almost theatrical relationship he shares with Solid Snake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does Ocelot join Liquid Snake?
The alliance between Ocelot and Liquid Snake was a calculated deception. Big Boss revealed that Ocelot’s “possession” by Liquid was a planned ruse. Ocelot used hypnosis, psychotherapy, drugs, and nanomachines to transplant Liquid’s personality onto himself. This charade was orchestrated to lower the Patriots’ guard, ultimately aiding in their destruction. It was all part of the long game.
Was Ocelot supposed to meet Snake?
Yes, Ocelot intended to meet with Snake at Rassvet. However, he was intercepted by EVA, a supposed KGB spy, who helped him evade Ocelot’s unit. The encounter was part of the unfolding events that drew them together for their final showdown.
Are Snake and Ocelot friends?
Their relationship is far from traditional friendship. It evolves into a twisted form of rivalry that often resembles a grotesque version of camaraderie. The constant battles and intense encounters forge a connection between them, even if it’s built on mutual antagonism. Ocelot’s challenges towards Snake can seem friendly at times, but it is all still in the context of Ocelot’s larger goals.
Why does Ocelot call Snake ‘John’?
Ocelot calls Snake “John” at the end of the game when Snake reveals it as his name. However, Snake does not reveal it as his real name but uses it as a pseudonym. He does so partly to conceal his true identity from the world, especially from the Patriots and others after having fought against them so consistently. Calling himself John allows him to feel a sense of personal peace now that his duty is over. Ocelot, aware of this, may use the name as a final act of acknowledging their complex relationship.
Who kills Ocelot?
Ocelot’s death is not a simple case of exhaustion. While he appears to die from fatigue after his fistfight with Snake, his demise is actually caused by a new strain of FOXDIE that Drebin injected into Snake. This makes Snake indirectly responsible for Ocelot’s death, yet another layer of complexity to their relationship.
Who was Ocelot truly loyal to?
Ocelot’s allegiances are incredibly complex and fluid. Throughout the series, he serves multiple masters, including the Patriots, the Philosophers, the KGB, and the CIA. In the end, it seems his ultimate loyalty is to his own twisted sense of destiny and the destruction of the established order, more specifically the Patriots.
What is Liquid Snake’s real name?
Liquid Snake’s real name is Eli. He is also known as White Mamba and McDonell “Master” Miller. This dual identity serves to add further complexity to the Metal Gear Solid narrative, showing different sides of his character.
What happened to Ocelot after MGSV?
Following the events of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Ocelot continues to play a crucial role in Big Boss’s plans, including the ruse of the “Liquid Ocelot” persona. He also becomes the main character in the events that follow in MGS4. His ultimate fate is determined during the final confrontation with Solid Snake when he dies from the FOXDIE virus as a result of his fight.
What killed Liquid Snake?
Liquid Snake dies from the FOXDIE virus injected into his brother Solid Snake. FOXDIE targets victims based on specific DNA, and Liquid succumbs to the virus shortly after a final clash with his brother. This death ties directly into the complex genetic themes of the franchise.
Why is there no Gas Snake?
The name “Gas Snake” was deemed unsuitable due to the conceptual implications. Instead, the terms “Solidus” and “Liquidus,” inspired by physics, were used for the third and other ‘snake’ characters, which made more sense from a name perspective.
How did Ocelot lose his arm?
Grey Fox, the cyborg ninja, cuts off Ocelot’s right arm during the events of Metal Gear Solid. Ocelot subsequently grafts on Liquid Snake’s arm as a replacement. This is a symbolic move, further intertwining Ocelot’s fate with that of his rival.
What were Ocelot’s last words?
Ocelot’s last words to Snake were, “I am Liquid’s doppelganger and you are his… [you’re] just like your father.” He finishes with, “You’re pretty good,” a callback to his words to Snake nine years earlier and to Big Boss’s words to him decades prior. These words show the many layers of Ocelot’s complex persona.
Why does The Boss betray Snake?
The Boss’s betrayal is actually a mission of sacrifice. She was ordered to steal Volgin’s treasure and then die at Snake’s hands to prevent a conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This act of sacrifice is a critical plot point, highlighting her complex motives and tragic fate.
Why did Liquid hate Snake?
Liquid Snake’s hatred stemmed from the false belief that Solid Snake received the “superior” genes from Big Boss, while Liquid was given only the “flawed” genes. This perceived genetic injustice fueled his desire to surpass and destroy his brother.
Was Ocelot faking?
Yes, Ocelot was faking his possession by Liquid. This elaborate ruse was part of Big Boss’s long-term strategy to dismantle the Patriots. Ocelot underwent hypnosis, psychotherapy, drug use, and nanomachines to carry out the deception flawlessly.