Feature Article: Love and Self-Sacrifice in the Matrix Trilogy

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Feature Article: Love and Self-Sacrifice in the Matrix Trilogy

The Matrix Trilogy can be viewed in a number of different ways. Some audiences saw the films as simply science fiction and the idea of good verses evil however many looked deeper to see the many others themes and ideas that the films put forward. One of the key themes that permeates all three films is the notion of self-sacrifice and how these acts of self-sacrifice come from love. The love is not always between two people and is not always the traditional style of love that we know but a love none the less. It also needs to be said that the acts of self-sacrifice are in some instances quite subtle and at other times very obvious.  

In the first movie “The Matrix” we see the theme of self-sacrifice come up quite early in the film We find Trinity monitoring Thomas Anderson, the hero of the film as he is believed to be the “One” by Morpheus. The One is believed to be the saviour of the human race and an extremely important person. The fact that Trinity is monitoring Thomas is dangerous as she is a freed mind inside the Matrix and the Agents (the enemy) search the Matrix for these freed minds. This is how they discover Trinity and they then set about finding and disposing of her. Trinity is prepared to sacrifice herself so that she may find the One so that the entire human race may be freed.  

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The second instance of self-sacrifice is apparent when Morpheus believes in Thomas Anderson (now known as Neo) so much that he risks his life to save Neo’s. Morpheus believes that Neo is so important, that he attacked an Agent, even though he was exceedingly outnumbered. Neo later learns that he is not the person who Morpheus is searching for, and subsequently goes onto risk his own life, believing that Morpheus is an exceedingly important person to the survival of the human race.

All these instances of possible self-sacrifice and people risking their lives to save others are ...

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