Video Summary
Knights in games are often defined by binding oaths and feudal duty, which narratives use to justify long-term suffering.
Suffering can be a consequence of servitude (Artorias, Gael) or the very purpose of the character (Penitent One in Blasphemous).
Some knights are manufactured or ritualized vessels (the Hollow Knight) whose identity is erased in service of a greater cause.
Endless service and the illusion of choice make knight characters compellingly tragic across multiple game worlds.
Because knighthood in these narratives is framed as a binding, lifelong oath to a lord, cause, or ritual; when those masters corrupt, die, or demand impossible sacrifices, the knight is left to endure the consequences.
Blasphemous makes suffering itself the core identity and purpose (penitence as vocation), whereas Dark Souls typically presents suffering as the consequence of loyalty to corrupted rulers and broken ages.
The Hollow Knight was deliberately created by the Pale King as a vessel to seal away the Radiance, erasing individual agency; his existence and suffering are engineered rather than chosen.
Gael pursues the Dark Soul long after the world has collapsed, driven by duty and a promise to a painter; his quest becomes hopeless and isolates him, showing how loyalty can become self-destructive.
"He was completely consumed by the abyss, driven into a bloodthirsty rage with a broken arm as a reminder of what he fought so hard to protect."
Knight Artorias embodies the archetypal tragic knight, consumed by his fate and the demands of loyalty. His character highlights a broader theme in video games where knights are often depicted as suffering due to their commitments. Artorias, once a noble warrior, finds himself broken and alone, serving as a poignant reminder of the emotional toll of feudal loyalty.
Knights in these narratives are generally bound by an unyielding oath to serve their lord. This duty continues even in the face of their lord's corruption or downfall, as seen through Artorias and other knights who serve Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight. Even after their masters fall, knights persist in their cause, leading to their eventual suffering.
"Once that oath is sworn, there's no clause for corruption or the end of the world."
The concept of knighthood in games often emphasizes a lifetime of duty with no promise of reward. This creates a cycle of suffering where knights like Artorias and his comrades are left to endure the consequences of their service long after their lords have ceased to exist or have become mere shadows of their former selves.
Artorias, along with his fellow knights, is left to face the weight of the world’s suffering and devastation due to the decisions of their former lord. The narrative illustrates that the nobility associated with being a knight comes with an intrinsic cost, ultimately leading to a path filled with anguish and despair.
"Suffering is not the byproduct; it's the purpose."
In the game "Blasphemous," suffering is central to the narrative and character experiences. Players assume the role of the Penitent One, whose entire identity is shaped by the pain and sacrifice required to fulfill a greater cause. Each character in the game embodies a personal form of suffering, often representing deep spiritual penitence or remorse.
Unlike traditional knights who suffer due to loyalty and servitude, the Penitent One's existence revolves around pain as a fundamental aspect of his journey. This illustrates a distinction where, in "Blasphemous," suffering becomes the essence of identity rather than a consequence of duty.
"His entire existence was created for this one objective."
The Hollow Knight features a knight created solely to seal away a malevolent influence, demonstrating the theme of knights existing as vessels for higher purposes. This character's backstory serves to examine the ideas of autonomy and purpose, where the knight's suffering arises from being engineered for a singular, tragic goal rather than personal ambition or glory.
The narrative further explores how these knights, while serving greater causes, often lose parts of themselves in the process. This commentary reflects on the loss of individuality among knights, mirroring the experiences of characters like the Penitent One, who find worth solely in their suffering.
"He was given a simple task: find the Dark Soul of humanity so a new painted world could finally be created."
Slave Knight Gael represents one of the most poignant examples of knightly tragedy. His quest becomes increasingly hopeless as he searches for the Dark Soul in a world that has already crumbled. The game positions him at the end of the world, highlighting the futility of his mission and the loneliness that accompanies such dedication.
Gael’s journey underscores the grim reality that knights may endure endless suffering, dedicating themselves to causes that ultimately lead to despair. In his case, the duty to complete a task overshadows his existence, raising questions about the cost of loyalty and purpose in a world that has abandoned hope.
"It's strange and tragic to think that a healthy connection with the Pale King led to the demise of many within his kingdom."
The relationship between knights and their masters often results in tragic outcomes, reflecting a deep irony where loyalty can lead to suffering.
The Hollow Knight's final act of stabbing himself illustrates this desperation, as he tries to rid the world of the infection that has caused this suffering, despite knowing he has failed.
The weight of a knight's duty is heavy, as seen in the case of King Vendrick from Dark Souls 2, who, burdened by shame, isolated himself, leaving his royal knight Velstadt to guard his chamber even as they both succumbed to hollowing.
"A knight's duty is never done. Even if you don't serve a master, the Penitent One technically is from a dead brotherhood."
Knights often find themselves in servitude that extends beyond physical mastery, such as the Penitent One whose only task is to defeat the Miracle, despite it effectively being his master as well.
The world of Blasphemous highlights the nature of suffering and corruption, where the Miracle is portrayed as one of the cruelest antagonists, underscoring the relentless struggle knights face.
Knights endure endless suffering for a cause greater than themselves, illustrating that their loyalty may chain them to a purpose that often leads to tragic ends.
"Slave Knight Gael is the most literal definition of a knight's endless service and loyalty."
Gael's background as a slave knight emphasizes the expendable nature of knights in wars where they served as fodder, illustrating how they are often discarded by the very gods they serve.
Despite countless battles that left others hollow, Gael maintained his sanity by becoming a fatherly figure to an unnamed painter he encountered, which further complicates the concept of loyalty as he embarks on a new quest for her.
His dedication to collecting the dark soul for the painter signifies the cycle of servitude knights endure, where even acts of love lead to further torment and ultimately to madness.
"A knight always looks like they're suffering because they never have a choice, or at least they have the illusion of not having a choice."
The suffering of knights stems from their binding to a fate defined by loyalty and service, often dictated by corrupt rulers or the remnants of a fallen kingdom.
Knights like Gael, who could have sought freedom, are instead drawn into additional quests of servitude, emphasizing their role as tools for higher authorities.
Their tragic narratives often culminate in unfulfilled desires, showcasing how the obligations of a knight overshadow their own humanity and agency.
