Miraak's line "Do you ever wonder if it hurts? To have one's soul ripped out like that?" has to be the most thought provoking thing Skyrim ever dealt out. Which isn't saying much, Skyrim isn't Shakespearean, but that line just kind of floored me. Does it hurt? Is it not fucked up that our Dragonborn is basically a walking soul gem for divine beings? Miraak's character really could've delved into what being Dragonborn *means*.
Yes, I totally agree! And that really ties into one of my biggest complaints in Skyrim: it’s a mile wide, but an inch deep.
Skyrim, and TES as a whole, adores putting on airs for dragons. We’re told time and time again that they’re extraordinarily intelligent, and to that effect, we’re taught snippets of their language, their writing, and even their society. Yet, with the exception of 3 dragons (Parthurnax, Odahviing, and Durnehviir) they’re little more than mindless antagonists or rabid animals that become nothing more than a chore to take down.
The motivations of these “intelligent creatures” are never explored depth. Take Alduin, for example. He attacks the world because he wants to usher in a new age, and devours the souls of the dead to that end. But why does he devour souls? Why does he want to usher in a new age? Why does every Dragon, (save for the 3!) allow themselves to be coerced into blindly following him? Why is it common for dragons to desire to dominate, to control? We’re never told, save for a paltry "it is in their nature.”
But why? If they’re so intelligent, why?
It would’ve been fascinating to understand these creatures; to learn how to appreciate them.
Imagine how incredible it would’ve been to learn why dragons despise humanity; after all, they are the first born children of a God. How dare we attack divine beings? What right do we have to strike out against what Akatosh desired to exist?
(no surprise, but I love love love the theme of “God is dead” in literature)
But of course, such an explanation never happens. Alduin and his dragon posee simply attack the world because that is who they are, and we’re told to simply nod and go with it.
That is, until Miraak gave us a small window into understanding.
His sole line provided the closest we ever got to depth with these incredible, living dragons. And more importantly (like you said), it added depth to you, the player, and your role.
We see Dragons, violent as they are, and are left to reflect upon ourselves. We, the player, dominate; we kill and destroy thousands of people and creatures for the smallest grasps at power. Everything we do is to better ourselves, as that is in the nature of the game, just as it is the nature of dragons.
Miraak tells to consider the consequences of our actions. To us, dragons and bandits and npcs have become a mindless stepping stone. But to the world we live in, we’re a force for absolute destruction and pain, whether that be for good or evil.
We have, in our own way, carved out a world for ourselves; altered events, changed lives and ended them just to suit our own whims. And who else does that? Who else has desired to shape the world? Who else has caused pain and death on an unimaginable scale?
Alduin. He is simply the villain, and you the hero, only by difference of who we consider is more justified.
Now, like you said, Skyrim isn’t Shakespearean. The theme, “is your desire for growth worth the pain and suffering of others?” is never really touched upon by the writers.
And I seriously doubt Skyrim's writers in particular intended for the line to be that "deep"
But it’s nice to think about. Miraak, with his one line, made us ponder all the narrative potential Skryim has: potential that was ultimately squandered.