Matrix Wikis

MetaCortex

MetaCortex is the fictional software company where Thomas Anderson works. The root word "meta-" means "beyond" while "cortex" refers to the outer layer of the brain; and "going beyond the boundaries of the brain" becomes Neo's mission in the films. This is made even more symbolic with Neo's daring escape from the office building. 

Simulacra and Simulation

Neo stashes cash and illegal hacking software in a copy of Jean Baudrillard's philosophical essay, Simulacra and Simulation. The text explores concepts such as simulated reality and hyper-reality, the idea that imitations and representations are becoming more real than reality itself. It is also where Morpheus' line, "Welcome to the desert of the real" comes from. 

Nihilism

The chapter to which Neo opens Simulacra and Simulation is titled "On Nihilism." Nihilism refers to the notion that life is devoid of meaning. The television show "Seinfeld" has been called nihilistic because of its premise as "a show about nothing," following the tradition of Theater of the Absurd. Fictional nihilists include Tyler Durden from Fight Club, and the Nihilist villains from The Big Lebowski.

"Know Thyself"

The phrase "Know Thyself" hangs in the Oracle's kitchen in the Matrix and is carved into the entrance of the Oracle at Delphi, a temple in Greece. In the Matrix, the Oracle is an elderly woman who makes cookies. The kitchen becomes her temple and her gift of prophecy guides Neo on his quest. Greek myth states that the god Apollo spoke through the oracle, a young woman from the area, called the Pythia. Inhaling vapors caused the Pythia to fall into a trance-like state and rave incoherently. That babble was then translated by priests of the temple.

Morpheus

Morpheus, played by Laurence Fishburne, is the rebel leader of the humans fighting against the confines of the Matrix. His character's name comes from the Greek god of dreams; a god that could assume any human form and appear in dreams. According to legend, Morpheus guarded the gates of the dream realm, false dream taking one route, and prophetic dreams taking another. It is also the origin of the word "morphine." 

Nebuchadnezzar

The ship Morpheus commands, the Nebuchadnezzar, gets its name from a ruler of the Babylonian Dynasty. In the Bible, King Nebuchadnezzar II was known for his conquests and for constructing the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Book of Daniel describes a forgotten dream that plagues the king, and Morpheus references this with the line "I have dreamed a dream; but now that dream is gone from me."

The Merovingian

The Merovingian is an exiled program Neo encounters in the second film in the franchise, The Matrix Reloaded. Modeled after the Greek god Hades, the Merovingian provides a safe haven for obsolete, out-dated programs. In other words, programs in their after-life. His name comes from a Frankish dynasty that ruled over the region of Gaul from the 5th to 8th century. Numerous myths surround the Merovingians, leading conspiracy theorists to assume they are of divine descent.

Persephone

Persephone is the contemptuous wife of the Merovingian who aids Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus with finding the Key-Maker in The Matrix Reloaded. Her name comes from the Greek legend of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, who is kidnapped by Hades. Demeter was distraught over her daughter's abduction, and as a result she let crops and plant life die. Fearing that humans would starve, Zeus commanded Hades to release Persephone for six months of the year so she could rejoin her mother. She would then return to the Underworld for the next six months, explaining the changing of the seasons.