Why is Humanity Dark in Dark Souls?
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Humanity in Dark Souls isn’t dark in the sense of being evil, but rather in its inherent nature and origin. The game’s lore posits that humanity is the Dark Soul, a fragment discovered by the Furtive Pygmy during the Age of Fire. Unlike the powerful souls of the Lords (Gwyn, Nito, Witch of Izalith), the Dark Soul was small and fragmented, and the Pygmy chose to divide it amongst his descendants, the humans. This fundamentally ties humanity to the Dark, representing mortality, imperfection, and the potential for chaos and the Abyss. The Darksign is a manifestation of this connection and a curse placed upon humans by the Gods.
Understanding the Lore: Fire, Dark, and the First Sin
To understand the darkness of humanity, it’s crucial to grasp the foundational lore of Dark Souls. The world began with Ancient Dragons and the Age of Ancients. Then came the First Flame, an event that birthed the Lords with powerful souls and ushered in the Age of Fire. Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight, feared the inevitable fading of the Flame and the coming Age of Dark, which he associated with the rise of humanity.
The first sin, often attributed to Gwyn, involved his attempts to prolong the Age of Fire by linking the flame. In doing so, he essentially suppressed the natural cycle and forced a state of imbalance. This act had profound consequences for humanity. The Undead Curse and the Darksign are heavily implied to be direct results of this transgression, marking humans as Undead upon death and forcing them into a cycle of resurrection and potential “hollowing,” where they lose their minds and purpose.
Humanity as a Resource: Gameplay and Narrative
The gameplay mechanics of Dark Souls further reinforce the idea of humanity as a dark and often corrupting force. Using Humanity items allows the player to reverse hollowing, restoring their physical form and allowing for online interactions. However, it also exposes them to invasions from other players and NPCs.
Additionally, Humanity affects item discovery and damage scaling with certain weapons, creating a gameplay loop where players actively seek and consume this inherently dark substance. This ties into the narrative, highlighting the desperate measures individuals take to survive and retain their sanity in a world on the brink of collapse. The temptation of power that the Dark offers is ever-present. Characters like Kaathe seek to usher in the Age of Dark, believing it is the rightful destiny of humanity.
The Abyss and its Connection to Humanity
The Abyss is a prime example of the uncontrolled potential of the Dark Soul. A manifestation of unchecked humanity, it spreads like a corrupting influence. Manus, Father of the Abyss, is seen as a primal human whose soul grew out of control, becoming the source of the Abyss itself. The Abyss further emphasizes the duality of humanity: capable of great things, but also possessing a capacity for immense darkness and destruction.
The connection between the Dark Soul and the Abyss suggests that humanity, when left unchecked and driven by primal desires, can become a dangerous force. It illustrates the fear that Gwyn and the other Lords held regarding the coming Age of Dark, a fear that ultimately led to their desperate actions and the subsequent suffering of countless individuals.
Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do all humans have the Darksign?
No, not all humans initially possess the Darksign. It appears to be a consequence of Gwyn’s actions and the fading of the First Flame. While all humans inherently possess the Dark Soul, the Darksign is a marker of the Undead Curse, which affects those who have died and been resurrected.
2. What exactly is humanity in Dark Souls?
In lore terms, humanity is a fragment of the Dark Soul. In gameplay terms, it’s a resource used to reverse hollowing, kindle bonfires, and increase item discovery. It also influences certain weapon damage scaling.
3. Is humanity the Dark Soul?
Essentially, yes. The Dark Soul is the origin of humanity. Each human possesses a fragment of it.
4. Is there a benefit to being human in Dark Souls?
Being human allows for online co-op and PvP, increases item discovery, and enables kindling bonfires for more Estus Flasks. Certain chaos weapons also scale with humanity.
5. Does humanity make you stronger in Dark Souls?
Yes, to an extent. It directly impacts item discovery rates and damage scaling for specific chaos weapons. Additionally, it allows you to kindle bonfires, granting more Estus Flasks.
6. What started the undead curse?
The exact origin is debated, but the Undead Curse is heavily implied to be a consequence of Gwyn’s attempt to link the First Flame and prolong the Age of Fire, transgressing against the natural cycle and essentially cursing humanity with the Darksign.
7. Are humans naturally hollow in Dark Souls?
Being a hollow is man’s natural state, in a sense. Prior to acquiring the Dark Soul, they were arguably in a hollow state. Having a piece of the Dark Soul is what makes them human. “Going hollow” is a consequence of the Undead Curse, where Undead lose their minds and purpose.
8. Who is the true villain in Dark Souls?
This is subjective. Gwyn can be seen as a villain for his actions in prolonging the Age of Fire, while figures like Kaathe advocate for the Age of Dark. Even the player character can be viewed as a villain depending on their choices and motivations.
9. What is the true ending of Dark Souls?
There is no official “true ending.” The choice between linking the Fire or letting it fade is left to the player’s interpretation.
10. Is there a good ending in Dark Souls?
This is subjective and depends on the player’s perspective. Neither linking the Fire nor letting it fade is presented as definitively “good.”
11. Why is Dark Souls so complex?
The complexity is intentional, designed to encourage careful planning, observation, and experimentation. Every element has a purpose and contributes to the overall narrative and gameplay experience.
12. What happens when you lose humanity in Dark Souls?
You lose “soft” Humanity, similar to losing Souls upon death. You can retrieve it by returning to your bloodstain.
13. What does being hollow do in Dark Souls?
Being hollow signifies a loss of humanity and purpose. In gameplay terms, it prevents online interaction and alters your appearance. Lore-wise, it represents a descent into madness and a primal state.
14. What is the purpose of Darksign?
The Darksign marks those affected by the Undead Curse, transporting them back to bonfires upon death. It’s a constant reminder of their cursed existence.
15. Who holds the Dark Soul?
The Furtive Pygmy initially held the Dark Soul. He then fragmented it and distributed it among his descendants, the humans. Therefore, all humans possess a piece of the Dark Soul.
Dark Souls explores complex themes of cyclical existence, fear of the unknown, and the burden of choice. The “darkness” of humanity isn’t inherently evil, but rather a reflection of its mortality, its imperfections, and its potential for both great creation and devastating destruction. Understanding this duality is key to appreciating the rich and nuanced lore of the series. For more on gaming and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.