Comparing Characters in The Matrix

Comparing Characters in The Matrix

This essay will feature a comparison between the hero and villains of

the Matrix. The directors, the Wachowski brothers' have deliberately

picked the hero and villains in the Matrix to fit in with codes,

conventions and prejudges towards both heroes and villains. In the

Matrix Neo is the hero, the agents being the villains. In any film the

audience expect the hero to be good and fight evil. A classic

portrayal of a hero is an attractive male, who is of medium build,

making him attractive to a large audience. Stereotypical heroes fight

for what they believe in and are usually prepared to risk their own

lives in order to do this. Yet in contrast a stereotypical villain is

commonly ugly, rich and in a position to cause or inflict damage. The

villain generally fights for what the majority of the audience would

disagree with and puts the hero in unnecessary danger.

In many ways Neo complies with a stereotypical vision of a hero. For

example he is young and good-looking, this means he is attractive to a

wide audience, this makes him appealing. As a result the audience warm

to him, adding to his heroic portrayal. Another factor which makes Neo

appear a hero is his resourcefulness, when both himself and the agent

are fighting he quickly realises the uselessness of guns, as they are

only in his mind, this suggests that he is mentally strong, which is

well thought-of. After the guns another heroic feature comes in; arm

to arm combat. Neo uses his fists to fight against the agent, this

shows he is not only mentally strong but physically strong as well,

this is something than both male and female audiences a...

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at present he is in control of, this shows that the agents will risk

almost anything, even innocent human life in order to get what they

want.

The main characteristic of how Neo is shown as a hero is his ability

to have super human powers and his belief in what he is fighting for.

The main factor in the villains' portrayal is the way the agents use

others peoples bodies to fight with and the way they show no

repentance in their killings. These are also they main contrast

between both hero and villain. The one main comparison between the two

is the use of black clothing, which illustrates how sinister the whole

matter is as well as the authority and power of both characters. Both

the hero and the villains are portrayed with great detail, to ensure

the audience warm to the hero and loathe the villains.