Intertextuality in Persona 5 Royal: A literary analysis

[@heribertgeilhubrgg8575]

Those are the kind of Videos the Persona community desperatly needs keep up the good work

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you, it means a lot!

[@theflightofarobyn]

*A brief footnote on other archetypes* Since this isn’t a video on symbolism specifically, I did not highlight the intertextuality of every persona/awakened persona in the game as they are all referential in nature. Although I mostly focused on picaresque characterisation in the video, it warrants mentioning that other literary archetypes and historical figures are used as well. It didn’t quite fit with the flow of the video, so here is some of that extra information. Both Haru and Ann’s personas, Milady and Carmen respectively, are prominent femme fatales. Much like the picaros, they use their natural abilities to their advantage, manipulating their lovers with their charm. Makoto’s persona, Johanna, is based on Pope Joan, a woman who defied the conventions of a male-dominated society and, in many ways, outwitted those around her. Futaba’s Persona is based on H.P Lovecraft’s fictional grimoire of forbidden knowledge, the Necronomicon. To me, this acts as support in Futaba’s role as a genius hacker, a kind of modern picaresque act. Sumire’s persona is based on Cinderalla, who, much like the picaresque figures, is an outcast. She is shunned by her own family and forced into servitude. She breaks free from this through magic, which acts in support of Sumire’s wishes being granted by Maruki’s persona abilities. I hope you enjoy the video!

[@davidtruby7060]

A love letter disguised as a literary analysis. Well I know my binge channel today

[@thepearled0120]

There's one thing I'd love to add regarding the intertextual reference to Personas in Jungian psychology, mainly because I haven't seen many people bring this up in analysis. The way that people awaken to their Personas in the different Persona games is depicted slightly differently (for example, in Persona 3, people awaken to their Persona by accepting the possibility of their own death, while in Persona 5, people awaken to their Persona by accepting their "spirit of rebellion"). However, the core element that remains the same across the games is the idea that awakening to your Persona requires "accepting your true self" and understanding the difference between the image you put up for others and who you are underneath (which is also the reason why Persona users can't have Shadows, but you already went briefly into that point). What I don't see many people bring up is the connection to the idea that these awakenings occur in so-called "cognitive realities". It's made most explicit in Persona 5 in particular, but the reason for psychodynamic concepts like Personas and Shadows taking physical form in these games is because these separate worlds (whether the Dark Hour, TV World, Palaces, Mementos, etc) are places where people's cognitions of reality take physical form. A lot of Jung's work focused around the idea of cognition and the separation between reality as-it-is and how it is filtered through human perception. Probably the most famous example of this is his theory of cognitive functions, a theory which delved into how our individual cognitions could influence our behaviour and personality, which was later adapted into the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The reason for people awakening to their Personas in these cognitive realities by "finding the boundary between their image and their true self" becomes evident with all this in mind. When people don't yet know what the separation between themselves and their image is, their Persona doesn't take physical form (as, in a literal Jungian sense, their cognition is that they _are_ their Persona). The Persona only takes a separate physical form when the user in question reforms their cognition to understand that their image is not their true self. I always thought this connection was so cool, and yet, people often acknowledge each of these elements separately without understanding how they implicitly explain one another. The series never tells you exactly why awakening to your Persona works the way it does, but by putting the pieces together, the reason doesn't need to be spelled out. That's just one example of how awesome the world-building in Persona is.

[@Vysetra]

I'm SO glad you touched on the Jungian model of the psyche, another one of my favourite series uses this same branch of psychology. This was wonderfully made, and on behalf of all the other people yet to see this, thank you for making it. This gon be big. :3

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you for all your support! ❤️😭

[@gonzalofernandezortiz1553]

which other series?

[@Vysetra]

@@gonzalofernandezortiz1553 Silent Hill 2!

[@midnightcarnivalmember]

The seven rooms in the Masque of Red Death could also represent the seven deadly sins. As well as the Phantom Thieves themselves.

[@oinka]

It's always exciting to notice references, and more exciting to talk about them!

[@theflightofarobyn]

I love analyses like this, it’s such a passion of mine! Thank you for your support 💕

[@Piper_____]

Man, I have spent way longer than anyone should thinking about persona 5 royal and masque of the red death - and ESPECIALLY the Akechi Kogoro story Gold Mask, which references the masque of the red death explicitly, and involves Akechi (dressed in a costume like a demon, entirely black with horns and a mask covering his face) faces off against Arsene Lupin (the eponymous Gold Mask), at a masquerade party themed off of the masque of the red death. I read that story, and every 5 pages I had to stop and go “really? This too?” All this to say that I am so glad stuff like this is being talked about! I hadn’t known a lot of it, and it’s so cool to learn.

[@CoffeeeStains]

Wow wow wow! This was a great video essay! I am currently working on a Persona 5 essay myself in one of my university classes. While the main topic isn't intertextuality, it's more of a focus on Japanese culture, but it does have intertextuality elements in it! This was really insightful! I've been a huge Persona 5 fan almost since the day of it's initial release, and I have done so much research, and I'm still finding new things about this game! Thank you for an amazing video essay! ^^

[@sh1t]

Amazing video and awesome editing. i feel like these 17 minutes flew by fast

[@theflightofarobyn]

I’m so happy to hear that, thank you so much! I’m new to this whole editing thing, so this means a lot. 💕

[@alsoknownas1439]

really enjoying these analysis videos :D. your voice sounds fine dont worry. it was structured and explained so well!! cant wait to see what else you put out :P

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the content so far. 💖

[@ostodvandlll]

This was so entertaining and insightful! I remember when I played p5r and looked up the meanings of the Justice arcana and realized Goro was both... I'm glad you mentioned it! I'm definitely going to show this to my friends that are into Persona. :) Good work!

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much!!

[@tudororor]

Absolutely amazing analysis. I'm kinda dissappointed that you're not making videos anymore; I'd watch them all day long

[@Vysetra]

Part 2 begins, so naturally No More What Ifs. Thanks, I'm sad now.

[@TheMANGADUDE2]

13:38 Yes, please! God I'm glad this popped up in my recommended

[@theflightofarobyn]

I’m so happy you enjoyed it!

[@TheMANGADUDE2]

@@theflightofarobyn I'll honestly enjoy any good video essay, especially about my favourite game

[@joepo6522]

Great video! Can’t wait to see more

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much!!

[@jacksmith3148]

Really pleasantly surprised to hear someone that sounds like me doing these kind of video essays, and a brilliant video to boot. Good stuff!

[@theflightofarobyn]

thank you!!!

[@KousakaHonoka12]

The perosna is the true self and the shadow is the true self that is suppressed

[@PandorasExecutioner]

Ooh there are some you mentioned that I hadnt caught. Great work!!

[@stowos]

this, this is super interesting and i had no idea about pretty much any of this so thanks for the information and keep up the great videos!

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@kidkangaroo5213]

Deserves way more views

[@glfuflcijojukblb1720]

amazing video!

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@erachiiii]

I love this video so much thanks for making it!

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much!!

[@no1GIRluvr]

there actually is a direct quotation from deathnote, well more like a reference. one of akechis mementos lines that goes along the lines of i always get the weirdest looks when i buy a single apple for lunch. i guess its not that clear but i think it was supposed to be a reference to deathnote

[@droppopcandied]

this is awesome! i hope this channel grows

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you so much!

[@zafipuffy]

This video is so good!

[@theflightofarobyn]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@StevoPL]

Ah, The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed. This quote can never escape me and im not complaining.

[@SaberRexZealot]

9:50 just like Laurence from Bloodborne

[@Vysetra]

HERE FIRST CLUB.

[@Vysetra]

I'm gon watch this video so fuckin' hard once I'm done showering, ez

[@KousakaHonoka12]

The perosna is the true self and the shadow is the true self that is suppressed