I’m a big fan of giving my favourite characters mythological counterparts to compare them to. I’m a mythology nerd so it’s kind of my cheat code to do some fun analysis.
Along that familiar line of thinking I’m considering P2 Daniil Dankovsky, who I’ve always thought presents an interesting challenge. You see, Victor Frankenstein, a character I’m sure we can all agree shares a not-inconsiderable similarity in creative inspirations with Daniil is textually compared to the mythological figure of Prometheus. A figure who, despite his intellect and drive, was punished for bringing humans a new method of technological revolution in fire.
But starting from Prometheus never got me far with analysis of Daniil’s character arc. Of course, this comparison hinges on the accomplishment of technological progress resulting in punishment. And Daniil, however smart, however much he has strived for it, has not yet cured death like Victor did.
The figure from myth I personally find more interesting to compare Daniil to, or I suppose, just the glimpses of Daniil we get through Artemy’s eyes in the game, is Loki. Specifically Loki’s punishment after the death of Baldur. But much like Dr. Frankenstein and Prometheus, I would claim this similarity lies in the plotline of the myth, rather than the mythological figures personality traits.
Daniil’s many failures and the unforeseen consequences of his actions, map quite closely onto the deceit of Baldur’s blind brother Hodr. Through Daniil’s interference in the running of the town, the outbreak doesn’t get better. The “solutions” he tries to give the townspeople only cause the death and destruction of the sand pest to grow worse over time. Like in many myths, Loki is not capable of the great acts of violence gods like Thor are, but it’s his words which wreak havoc. His inability to safe guard the towns drinking water supply, his brutal quarantine measures, his failed vaccine, his failures and their consequences only continued to pile up. Like Daniil said himself, he was not running around the streets shooting people all 12 days like the rumours said. But is commanding the town to lock the sick in their homes to die alone any less brutal of a killing blow?
But ultimately, the crime he is most likely to be remembered for is one of horrifying brutality. Not just that, but brutality treated like a game. Brutality done for something no one could truly argue is worth the life that was taken.
A holly arrow shot through Baldur’s heart, a bullet which killed a messenger who was simply delivering papers.
Why? Ultimately in the end, the motive feels meaningless. Envy or a desire to study a strange tower. Neither of them matter, both actions still feel like a pivotal moment in their respective stories. A marker of how far each character’s morality has slipped silently in the background.
Is the judge of their actions themselves innocent? Ha! No! Laughably far from it. But a death is a death. It is poignant that this time Daniil took the weapon into his own hands, while Loki on the other hand is not the one holding the bow his guilt is no more obscured.
So both the mythological Loki and Daniil Dankovsky end their story facing a lifetime of punishment stretching out before them. For this murder and for the crimes and cunning which defined them beforehand.
Will Eva be the Sigyn figure for him? Easing his suffering? Catching the snake’s venom in a bowl before it hits Daniil’s eyes? That depends on Artemy’s actions, if he was able to save her in this version of the story. That is, if it really matters at all.
Maybe it doesn’t. After all, there is another serpent in this story. And Eva has her own compelling mythological analogue.
Then, does Daniil become both the punished and the punishment? I don’t think so. If there’s one thing we know about the characters in the world of Pathologic it’s that they look different from every angle. Ultimately this is just one direction his story can go from one point of view. Is he a victor or a villain? A trickster, deceiver or a hero? A murderer or a healer? He seems one way from this angle, but will surely look completely different through his own eyes in a few short days.
I look forward to playing Pathologic 3 alongside you all. Thank you for reading my analysis!
P.s. this is my big glowing warning sign reminding you this post is in reference to Daniil’s cringefail Pathologic 2 character arc exclusively
