Merovingian (The Matrix)
Encyclopedia
The Merovingian, also known as the Frenchman, and called Merv by Trinity, is a fictional character in The Matrix Reloaded
and The Matrix Revolutions
, portrayed by Lambert Wilson
in both films. He also played a prominent role in The Matrix Online
role-playing game.
The Merovingian provides a safe-haven for exiled or obsolete programs in the Matrix, as an alternative to deletion. Being an exile himself, the Merovingian's services are not condoned by either the "Redpills" or the Machines, but they are overlooked unless in direct conflict with either of their goals.
say, he was a program made to regulate behavior amongst the "Bluepills" and report back with results. After the collapse of the first Matrix, he became obsolete as the newer versions presented an illusion of choice to the hard-wired humans, causing the behavioral manipulation to be more indirect than the Merovingian's more straightforward methods. Instead of accepting deletion, he retreated into the programming of the Matrix, disguised as a human, and resolved to aid other programs who have become obsolete.
He is seen as a hero to exiled programs and as an impulsive and selfish opportunist to others. He is disillusioned by the idea of choice amongst humans, and, in a speech to Neo, Trinity and Morpheus, he relates that everything occurs due to cause-and-effect, and that there is no such thing as choice.
royalty. His wife, Persephone
, is named after the Greek Goddess of renewal
and companion of Hades
. He has the role as the guardian of the virtual afterlife where exiled programs can seek refuge from deletion. He owns a nightclub named "Club Hel," as a reference to the Nordic guardian of the afterlife.
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 American science fiction film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowskis. It premiered on May 7, 2003, in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, and went on general release by Warner Bros. in North American theaters on May 15,...
and The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix Revolutions
The Matrix Revolutions is a 2003 American science fiction film and the third installment of The Matrix trilogy. The film was released six months following The Matrix Reloaded. The film was written and directed by the Wachowski brothers and released simultaneously in sixty countries on November 5,...
, portrayed by Lambert Wilson
Lambert Wilson
Lambert Wilson is a French actor. He is internationally known for his portrayal of The Merovingian in The Matrix He was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, the son of Georges Wilson, who was an actor, theatrical manager and director of the Theatre National de Paris.Wilson screen tested for The...
in both films. He also played a prominent role in The Matrix Online
The Matrix Online
The Matrix Online was a massively multiplayer online game developed by Monolith Productions created by Richard Carroll. It was the official continuation of the storyline of the Matrix series of films. The game began closed beta-testing in June 2004 which was then opened for people who pre-ordered...
role-playing game.
The Merovingian provides a safe-haven for exiled or obsolete programs in the Matrix, as an alternative to deletion. Being an exile himself, the Merovingian's services are not condoned by either the "Redpills" or the Machines, but they are overlooked unless in direct conflict with either of their goals.
Back-story and Involvement in the Matrix
There is not much revealed about the Merovingian's origin, but from what both he and the OracleOracle (The Matrix)
The Oracle is a fictional character portrayed by Gloria Foster and Mary Alice within the Matrix series of films created by the Wachowski brothers...
say, he was a program made to regulate behavior amongst the "Bluepills" and report back with results. After the collapse of the first Matrix, he became obsolete as the newer versions presented an illusion of choice to the hard-wired humans, causing the behavioral manipulation to be more indirect than the Merovingian's more straightforward methods. Instead of accepting deletion, he retreated into the programming of the Matrix, disguised as a human, and resolved to aid other programs who have become obsolete.
He is seen as a hero to exiled programs and as an impulsive and selfish opportunist to others. He is disillusioned by the idea of choice amongst humans, and, in a speech to Neo, Trinity and Morpheus, he relates that everything occurs due to cause-and-effect, and that there is no such thing as choice.
Cultural References
The Merovingian is named after the Merovingian dynasty of FrankishFranks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
royalty. His wife, Persephone
Persephone (The Matrix)
In the movies The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, Persephone is the wife of The Merovingian. She seems bored with her existence in the Matrix, and is disaffected by her husband ....
, is named after the Greek Goddess of renewal
Persephone
In Greek mythology, Persephone , also called Kore , is the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, and queen of the underworld; she was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld....
and companion of Hades
Hades
Hades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
. He has the role as the guardian of the virtual afterlife where exiled programs can seek refuge from deletion. He owns a nightclub named "Club Hel," as a reference to the Nordic guardian of the afterlife.