Symbolism of Beatrix

[Zerlina]

I find that there are quite a few pieces of symbolism surrounding Beatrix (her name, her background, etc). One that I find particularily interesting is her "blindness."

Think of it this way...
She's lost her eye in battle and is partially blind- yet her other eye still remains and she has hope of being able to see.
The way I see it, her service to Alexandria has made her lose sight of herself. She has become so absorbed in her duty that she can no longer fathom the difference between right or wrong, and is incapable of following her own heart. Yet even so, she eventually overcomes her blindness and manages to re-assume her dignity while still holding the scars of the past.

Any other interesting symbols?

[Old Manus]

Zidane has a tail, and it's his tale..

[Ezme]

Beatrix rocks, shes my favorite NPC. I doubt they thought that hard about her eye patch. Famous warrior= one eye. AKA Auron. But I like the idea. I love symbolism. There was also a queen Beatrix in denmark. Beatrix is so loyal to Queen brahne but also to herself when she eventually questions what she was doing. Also her weapon is called Save the Queen which on the surface means Queen Brahne/Queen Garnet but cold also mean herself as thats what is imediatly for, saveing her own ass....and possible steiners. lol

[Heath]

Beatrix is the Queen of the Netherlands

She lost an eye? And Auron has only one eye? I don't remember either of those...

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Then I guess you haven't looked at a picture of Beatrix or Auron in a while.

[Heath]

Hardly, I noticed the scar on Auron's eye, though that hardly means he has one eye. And I don't recall Beatrix only having one eye, either. You could use the argument that you can't see it and thus it's covering her lack of an eye, but by that you could also say that Blank has no eyes.

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Auron doesn't oepn the eye with the scar on it, so yes, that means he only has one eye. And you can't compare Beatrix's one-eyedness to Blank's eyes being hidden. Hiding your eyes is something consistent amongst all the members of Tantalus except Zidane (and Ruby, if she counts); it doesn't apply to Beatrix. She's obviously supposed to only have one eye.

[Heath]

My point wasn't whether they had the use of the eyes of not, more the fact that they have 2 eyes. I daresay I'll be accused of being petty for saying this, but there is no definite proof that both Beatrix and Auron have only one eye. They may only have use of one eye, yet the fact remains that they had 2 eyes.

You could equally say that there's no proof that Beatrix has 2 eyes, I suppose, however the formation of Auron's face (and how he still has the eye lid itself) suggests that he has 2 eyes.

Back on topic, however, you raise an interesting point WelshWonder, I'd never really considered Beatrix's sword as much, I've only ever noted it as having the same name as a whip of Quistis'.

[Masamune·1600]

Save the Queen also appeared in FFT as a Knightsword. The wielder was automatically imbued with Protect. It reappears as a Knightsword in FFTA. For what it's worth, it's also in KH.

[Big D]

Beatrix is very similar to FFIV's Cecil in many ways. Both are loyal knights who diligently serve their monarchs, only to suffer crises of faith and confidence after learning that they and their loyalty were manipulated for evil purposes. I think that Beatrix is, in this way, another of FFIX's 'references' to other FF titles.

[Ezme]

I suppose that Final Fantasy Fashion is pretty weird, epesially as it is FFIX, but I think it is meant to mean she has only one eye. Isn't there one bit where it says abut depth perception...or am i comfusing it with something else. I still think that square probibly doesnt think this much onto it but its cool to theorise. If you dont remeber beatrix only has one eye....look at my avatar! lol

[Old Manus]

Beatrix is very similar to FFIV's Cecil in many ways. Both are loyal knights who diligently serve their monarchs, only to suffer crises of faith and confidence after learning that they and their loyalty were manipulated for evil purposes. I think that Beatrix is, in this way, another of FFIX's 'references' to other FF titles.

Except Beatrix seems to be a Paladin all the way through. And as 'The true Paladin sheaths his sword', Beatrix saying she massacred 100,000 men single handedly kind of contradicts that.

[Squall of SeeD]

Beatrix is very similar to FFIV's Cecil in many ways. Both are loyal knights who diligently serve their monarchs, only to suffer crises of faith and confidence after learning that they and their loyalty were manipulated for evil purposes. I think that Beatrix is, in this way, another of FFIX's 'references' to other FF titles.

I agree about her being a reference. Possibly a combination of Cecil and Celes, much in the same way that Zidane is basically a combination of Locke and Edgar, only with a tail.

Except Beatrix seems to be a Paladin all the way through. And as 'The true Paladin sheaths his sword', Beatrix saying she massacred 100,000 men single handedly kind of contradicts that.

It was only 100 men:

Beatrix
"Ha ha ha. I've never been so humiliated in my life."
"I once killed a hundred knights single-handedly... To me, you two are nothing more than insects."

Granted, still a lot, but nothing on the scale of 100,000.

[Masamune·1600]

Beatrix also closely resembles General Leo (FFVI), Celes (FFVI), and perhaps Cidolfas Orlandu (FFT), as well as Cecil. This is likely another example of implicit (as opposed to explicit) reference to past Final Fantasies.

While there are numerous differences between Beatrix and Leo, all that is necessary is the effect of recalling the fallen general. To this effect, certain similarities jump out at us. General Leo's special ability, in the short time he was playable, was called Shock. The best ability of Beatrix, in the short time she was playable, was also called Shock. General Leo was a man of firm moral convictions; nevertheless, he long demonstrated loyalty to Gestahl's Empire. Similarly, Beatrix has clear positive qualities, yet remains loyal to Queen Brahne.

Beatrix also has ties to Celes, like Leo a general of Gestahl. Beatrix's White Magic also recalls Celes' Esper-empowered abilities. Celes' love story is recreated in that of Beatrix and Steiner. Both worked on behalf of a corrupt figure of power, but both ultimately fought for the forces of Good.

Finally, Beatrix is also tied to Orlandu, another overpowered general. He maintained loyalty to Goltana out of a sense of duty.

The comparison to Cecil, of course, still holds.

Of course, there is the comment by Beatrix about the slaughter of a hundred men. However, this does not defeat the Paladin metaphor. Rather, it simply reaffirms the ties between Beatrix and Cecil. Cecil carried out repugnant acts on behalf of his King, though he questioned them the whole time. In becoming a Paladin, the former Dark Knight was able to essentially exorcise his demons by putting the burden of guilt and self-doubt behind him. Similarly, Beatrix might seem to be a Dark character when first you fight her. Nevertheless, as she and Steiner battle beside one another, we see her as a Paladin.

Therein, of course, lies the meaning and symbolism of the "half-blindness." For much of the game, Beatrix is blind to what she knows deep down to be right. Nonetheless, she is not fully blind to it, and is thus able to redeem herself.

Ultimately, Beatrix recalls Cecil, Leo, Celes, and Orlandu, while maintaining her own character and adding to the rich world of FFIX.

[Old Manus]

It was only 100 men

Well, you get what I mean.