SUBHUMAN: A Character Analysis of Dante | RE-UPLOAD |

Summary

This video script dives deep into the emotional and thematic significance of Dante's vocal theme, *Subhuman*, from *Devil May Cry 5*. It explores how the song reflects Dante's internal struggle between his human and demonic sides, drawing parallels to his character arc. The video highlights how Dante’s journey of self-acceptance is symbolized through *Subhuman*, a heavy metal track that captures his fight against his demonic nature. Despite its aggressive tone, the song is shown to have deeper emotional resonance, making it a crucial part of Dante’s narrative, often overshadowed by other popular tracks like *Devil Trigger* and *Bury the Light*.

Takeaways

• 😀 The soundtrack of *Devil May Cry 5* is exceptional, with a special focus on the characters' battle themes that reflect their personal arcs.
• 😀 'Devil Trigger' highlights Nero’s determination to stop Urizen and protect his loved ones, while foreshadowing his own Devil Trigger transformation.
• 😀 'Bury the Light' represents Virgil’s pursuit of power, which ultimately blinds him and suppresses his humanity.
• 😀 'Crimson Cloud' alludes to V’s identity and his journey to save his own life, adding depth to his character.
• 😀 Dante’s vocal theme, 'Subhuman,' stands out as the most significant theme for his character, capturing his inner struggles and concerns about his demonic heritage.
• 😀 The controversy surrounding 'Subhuman' is partly due to changes in its vocals, with the original version being poorly received, but the re-recorded version remains powerful.
• 😀 Dante’s deep inner conflict is rooted in his hatred for demons and his disdain for his demonic heritage, stemming from his mother’s death at their hands.
• 😀 The recurring mantra, 'Devils never cry,' is challenged throughout the series as demons like Trish and Lucia display empathy and humanity, showing that demons are capable of love and compassion.
• 😀 Dante’s view of himself as 'subhuman' is a reflection of his insecurities, stemming from traumatic events in his past, including the loss of his family members.
• 😀 'Subhuman' serves as a metaphor for Dante’s struggle to control his demonic side, which aligns with his journey of accepting his dual nature rather than rejecting it.
• 😀 The transition from 'Subhuman' playing in missions to not playing after Dante accepts his demonic side represents a pivotal character development moment, where he embraces both aspects of his being.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script primarily focuses on analyzing the battle themes in *Devil May Cry 5*, with a special emphasis on Dante's vocal theme, 'Subhuman'. It explores how these themes reflect the characters' personal journeys, particularly Dante's internal struggle between his human and demonic sides.

What role does 'Subhuman' play in Dante's character development?

'Subhuman' represents Dante's inner conflict between his demonic nature and his desire to protect humanity. The song illustrates his fear of losing control to his demonic side, while also reflecting his emotional struggles and the tension within himself as he comes to terms with both parts of his identity.

How does Dante's view of demons affect his character?

Dante's negative view of demons, stemming from the traumatic loss of his mother, influences his personality and actions. He believes demons lack compassion and empathy, but the series challenges this view, showing that demons are capable of love, and ultimately, this challenges Dante's beliefs about himself as well.

How does the 'Devils never cry' mantra relate to the game's themes?

'Devils never cry' is a central mantra for Dante, representing his belief that demons are incapable of emotion. However, throughout the series, it’s revealed that demons, like Trish and Lucia, can feel love and empathy, suggesting that even Dante’s demonic side is capable of compassion, which is a major thematic shift in *Devil May Cry 5*.

What role does 'Subhuman' play in reflecting Dante's struggle with his identity?

'Subhuman' symbolizes Dante's struggle to reconcile his human side with his demonic heritage. The heavy metal tone masks deeper emotional themes, with the lyrics reflecting Dante's fear of losing control, which ultimately mirrors his broader character arc of embracing both his human and demon sides.

What is the significance of Dante accepting his demonic side in *Devil May Cry 5*?

Dante’s acceptance of his demonic side marks a major shift in his character arc. Unlike Virgil, who rejects his humanity, Dante learns to embrace both his human and demon natures. This acceptance allows him to gain access to new powers, symbolizing his growth and the integration of both aspects of his identity.

Why is 'Subhuman' disliked by some members of the *Devil May Cry* community?

Some members of the *Devil May Cry* community dislike 'Subhuman' due to controversies surrounding the original vocals and the perception that the song doesn't sound as polished as other themes, such as 'Devil Trigger' and 'Bury the Light.' Despite this, the song holds significant thematic value for Dante’s character.

How does the video describe Dante’s coping mechanisms throughout the series?

The video describes Dante's outwardly confident and bombastic personality as a coping mechanism for the trauma he’s experienced. His aggressive behavior and desire to fight demons serve as a distraction from the emotional pain of losing his loved ones and dealing with his family issues.

What is the connection between 'Subhuman' and Dante’s acceptance of his demonic heritage?

The song 'Subhuman' parallels Dante’s emotional journey. Initially, the song highlights his fear and struggle to control his demonic side, but by the end of the game, Dante embraces his demonic heritage. This acceptance is reflected in the fact that the song is no longer used after a pivotal moment in the game, signaling his growth.

What does the video say about Dante's relationship with Virgil?

The video highlights the complicated relationship between Dante and Virgil, especially in *Devil May Cry 5*. Virgil’s rejection of humanity and his pursuit of power contrasts with Dante's eventual acceptance of both his human and demonic sides. The song 'Subhuman' is tied to Dante’s internal struggle, including his feelings towards his brother and the eventual confrontation.