Skyrim Metaphor?

[CyanideSandwich]

Okay, a few weeks ago I had a bit of a theory. It began when I was playing Skyrim and saw one of those little facts that shows up on the loading screen, something along the lines of: "Skyrim is also known as the Fatherland." I thought it was a fun coincidence, but then I thought of something else:

Skyrim is a metaphor for Nazi Germany.

Hear me out. My theory is that the Stormcloaks represent the Nazis, and Windhelm Germany. Evidence for this? Try Ulfric to begin with. I believe he is a metaphor for Hitler. He was very bitter about a previous war (with the Dominion) and hated the Dark Elves for it. Prior to the war, he was taken prisoner (much like Hitler) and returned to Windhelm to lead them with a message of racial purity and that Skyrim is for the Nords (Aryans). He was also a great public speaker, much like Hitler. Those who fought with the Stormcloaks will recall the speech he makes when they are victorious. His men are completely loyal to him (like the SS), which I suppose is another point.

Also, there's Windhelm, which I believe may represent Nazi Germany. The first thing you notice when entering this place is a Dark Elf being abused and the ghetto that Dark Elves are forced to live in. Remind you of anything? Most people you meet in Windhelm have a military background or are in some way supporting everything that Ulfric is saying, agreeing with his racist views and encouraging the war.

I think it goes without saying that the Khajit represent travelling gypsies. They are discriminated against as well, with their caravans being routinely raided and destroyed. The Nazis weren't exactly fond of gypsies either...

What are your thoughts on this, Escapist? Am I onto something, or am I batshit insane? I could be miles away from the actual metaphor, if there is one. Let me know what you think.

 

[Soopy]

It's not a deliberate metaphor.

The game is just so vague and ill written it makes it very easy to cast assertions about things. The general atmosphere of the game is similar to that of Europe during the 1940's but it's not a social commentary or anything like that.

 

[Indecipherable]

So long as you are ridiculously vague and have enough content in something to even just remotely match anything then sure, yeah, totally a metaphor.

(no)

 

[Zhukov]

You don't seriously think anyone at Bethesda deliberately made Skyrim resemble Nazi Germany... do you?

Besides, aren't metaphors supposed to have some kind of point beyond just resembling their subject matter?

 

[Soopy]

You don't seriously think anyone at deliberately Bethesda made Skyrim resemble Nazi Germany... do you?

Besides, aren't metaphors supposed to have some kind of point beyond just resembling their subject matter?

Exactly, the word the OP is looking for is "Coincidence".

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Racist persecution is a common way of adding dramatic flavour to a setting, since it is quite easy to depict And it's not like the Nazi's invented it. Similar events have happened countless times through-out history. So any similarity to Nazi Germany is most likely coincidental. It is still possible, I guess, but unlikely.

I'm guessing the OP is just looking too far into it. Try hard enough, and you can 'find' coded predictions for the end of the world in Twilight. Or a cookbook.

 

[Soopy]

Racist persecution is a common way of adding dramatic flavour to a setting, since it is quite easy to depict And it's not like the Nazi's invented it. Similar events have happened countless times through-out history. So any similarity to Nazi Germany is most likely coincidental. It is still possible, I guess, but unlikely.

I'm guessing the OP is just looking too far into it. Try hard enough, and you can 'find' coded predictions for the end of the world in Twilight. Or a cookbook.

Twilights a parody of a real movie yeah?

 

[Zhukov]

EDIT: Delayed-action double post. My bad.

 

[CyanideSandwich]

Racist persecution is a common way of adding dramatic flavour to a setting, since it is quite easy to depict And it's not like the Nazi's invented it. Similar events have happened countless times through-out history. So any similarity to Nazi Germany is most likely coincidental. It is still possible, I guess, but unlikely.

I'm guessing the OP is just looking too far into it. Try hard enough, and you can 'find' coded predictions for the end of the world in Twilight. Or a cookbook.

Yeah, you guys are probably right. Oh well, it was just a thought. I just noticed some similarities and thought it an odd coincidence, but I knew that it was probably just me looking too far into it anyway. Thanks for your opinions.

 

[CAPTCHA]

But the Nords aren't seeking to clense their homeland because they believe themselves to be superior, they are just trying to reclaim their homeland and declare independence. The events in Skyrim are more like what is happening in places like Palestine than Nazi Germany.

 

[Alhazred]

I always thought the Thalmor gave off more of a Nazi vibe, but that's probably because I played Tales Of Symphonia, which had similarly fascist elves.

 

[F'Angus]

Try Ulfric to begin with. I believe he is a metaphor for Hitler. He was very bitter about a previous war (with the Dominion) and hated the Dark Elves for it. Prior to the war, he was taken prisoner (much like Hitler) and returned to Windhelm to lead them with a message of racial purity and that Skyrim is for the Nords (Aryans).

And Germany and Skyrim were both under strict rules from other powers which led to war:

Thalmor and the Empire imposing rules on Skyrim after they were conquered.

and the Allies imposing rules of Germany after they lost WW1.


Great Scott! I think we have something.

 

[BathorysGraveland]

I dunno, maybe. I see the Stormcloaks as a people who have their culture threatened by outsiders and are thus resisting them. The Empire would only drag them down from here on as it is dying and past the point of resurrection. They are fighting for their land (the Nordic homeland) and for their gods. They're suspicious of outsiders because they could be spies. Remember, Elsweyr is in cahoots with the Thalmor, so those travelling Khajiit merchants could be a cover for Thalmor spies for all the Nords know.

As for the Dunmer in Windhelm? Fuck 'em. They deserve everything they get. In the main marketplace in Windhelm, there is an Altmer. Yes, an Altmer. She is respected because she is actually doing something to help. Now, if there was any race the Nords would be against, it would be the Altmer, right? Yet she is respected because she is doing something for the community. That Dunmer at the gates being abused? She says it isn't her fight? Yet she wants to live in Windhelm? If she wants to live in Windhelm, then it is very much her fight because she would be one of its people, and if you want to be one of its people, you fucking help during a time of crisis. The Dunmer there do nothing but sit on their arses and complain and try to garner sympathy. Again - fuck 'em.

Is Ulfric a racist? I'm not so sure. Skyrim is in a war for freedom, freedom for the Nords to uphold their culture and heritage. Of course Ulfric has priorities for the Nords, they're his kinsmen after all! I think watching over the strategic battle maps, holding war counsels and managing the holds under his command is a little more important than cleaning up some filth in The New Gnisis Cornerclub.

The enemy are ultimately the Aldmeri Dominion. The Empire, in a gutless attempt to save their own hides, signed the White-Gold Concordat and turned their backs on Talos, the founding father of the Empire itself. Hammerfell proved that the Thalmor could still be defeated. If the Empire remained loyal to the cause and followed up with the victory of The Great War, then chances are everything wouldn't be so bad as it currently is.

The only way to victory now that I see, is the overthrow of the Empire and an alliance between Hammerfell, High Rock and Skyrim. With the support of local rebel Khajiit, Bosmer and Altmer forces, that union would crush the Thalmor and restore some sense of order to Tamriel.

This, is what I believe Ulfric is fighting for. Peace for his future people so they don't have to do the fighting he himself has already done and continuing to do so.

Damn, that's a big post. Bethesda really did the factions well, huh?

 

[SajuukKhar]

Stop giving Bethesda so many credit. Skyrim has a much-worse-than-awful main plot. It's a good theory, but I doubt Bethesda thought of it.
..And if they did, that's incredibly unoriginal, just taking WW2 and setting it in some fantasy land.

Killing Akatosh, they very guy who saved your ass in the last game, was a interesting plot twist.

And before people go "but Alduin isn't akatosh" yes, he actually is,

 

[piinyouri]

"agreeing with his racist views"


It's only racist if you aren't on his side.
Just sayin'.

 

[K84]

Stop giving Bethesda so many credit. Skyrim has a much-worse-than-awful main plot. It's a good theory, but I doubt Bethesda thought of it.
..And if they did, that's incredibly unoriginal, just taking WW2 and setting it in some fantasy land.

Killing Akatosh, they very guy who saved your ass in the last game, was a interesting plot twist.

And before people go "but Alduin isn't akatosh" yes, he actually is,

Was'nt he the first Dragon made by Akatosh?
First-Born of Akatosh or somethin'?