Gaming

The Mythologies Behind ‘Persona 3’

The Setting, The Plot, The Characters, & The Personas

My recent obsession (or “research as leisure”) is Greek mythology — following my interest in the game Hades — and I found that beyond Hades, mythology seems to permeate some of my other favourite franchises as well, including Persona 3.

Are you sick of me analysing the Persona series by now? I have previously examined the games through a UX/UI lens, a philosophical lens, and a psychological lens. I suppose adding a new mythological lens couldn’t hurt?

Here is how Greek mythology helped solidify various aspects of Persona 3.

The Theme of Death and Mortality

Memento Mori — remember (that you have) to die — is an idea rooted within Persona 3. Just as ancient philosophers used this idea to encourage virtue and purpose, Persona 3 confronts the player with the sobering reality of mortality. However, the game does not only dwell on the finality of death; rather, it highlights the importance of finding meaning within one’s finite existence.

Credit: Atlus Co., Ltd.

Greek mythology is renowned for its exploration of death. One of the defining characteristics of Greek mythology’s approach to mortality is its acknowledgement of the fragility of…