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This topic has moved here: Subject: TS Eliot and the Halo 3 Trailer Theroy **INTERESTING**
  • Subject: TS Eliot and the Halo 3 Trailer Theroy **INTERESTING**
Subject: TS Eliot and the Halo 3 Trailer Theroy **INTERESTING**
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First, let me start by warning the people who fail to go beyond simple logic and flame others for having abstract viewpoints; this thread is not for you.

Cortana's last words in the trailer are as follows, "This is the way the world ends". Hearing those words, in a sense of emphasis got me thinking and I did a little research. It turns out that a poem by T.S. Eliot contains the same phrase at the conclusion of his poem Hollow Man. For the people unfamiliar with this poem here is the link. To understand my logic, you may want to quickly read it over.

The following text is from the last stanza in Part IV...
Sightless, unless
The eyes reappear
As the perpetual star
Multifoliate rose
Of death's twilight kingdom
The hope only
Of empty men.


The eyes in this poem relate to the eyes of Cortana, flashing on and off screen as the trailer progresses. Also, as the chief is walking through the barron desert, it can be said that he is traveling through "death's twilight kingdom". MC seems to be walking without purpose, symbolizing the "empty men". In the poem, the speaker is longing for the eyes of hope, to lead him through his troubles. The same could be said about MC, as he is looking for the guidance of Cortana.

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The following is the last stanza of the poem...
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.


The line "This is the way the world ends" is repeated three times, suggesting emphasis. Cortana left it at that, leaving us guessing. The poem finishes the statement by proclaiming the world ends "not with a bang but a whimper", which is a shadow of spiritual death, doubt and despair.


I believe that MC will die not in a valiant fight, but instead of a internal battle depending on Cortana's actions. It very well may be this is a mere coincidence, but to anyone who is familiar with this poem the theroy introduces a whole new aspect the the Halo 3 plot.



  • 05.17.2006 2:30 PM PDT
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But in the Cortana letters(Which are no longer canon, but are still relevant) she says

Oh, and your poet Eliot had it all wrong:
THIS is the way the world ends.


  • 05.17.2006 2:35 PM PDT
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i think he needs to chill hes out of line.

  • 05.17.2006 2:37 PM PDT
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Yin_Yang41: [Forum Lockers] are very bad men. They bust into my place and lock it. Thats like tossing a puppy in a woodchipper...its just plain mean(and messy lol)

x Foman123 x: *Toss*
YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP

interesting point...and as for the Cortana letters, that could suggest he has a point even more. If you believe the Cortana letters are genuine, then even Cortana is referring to him. It is entirely possible. Also, has anybody thought that "World" might not reffer to the galaxy, but could instead be mataphorical?

  • 05.17.2006 2:40 PM PDT
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Good connective work.

Did you find the poem by tracking down the author's name from the cortana letters or did you really find it all on your own search. Though I have to challanege your view that this poem gives direct reference to influences in the halo story as the cortana letters hold the following data ,the "this is the way the world ends" in the cortana letters follows the phrase "your poet elliot was wrong".

This suggests to me that in fact the world will end in a bang. Also if you have not checked the cortanan letters I advise you do so as you clearly have the perk and motivation to try and track down and make such literary connections. They can be found with a simple google search.

But none the less nice job.

Damn someone posted my little bit of info already well whatever.

[Edited on 5/17/2006]

  • 05.17.2006 2:46 PM PDT
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the TS Eliot quote is my fav one, and hes my fav poet, just look at my sig
i noticed it before you...hehe
but you know it doesnt reveal anything about the plot.....

  • 05.17.2006 2:48 PM PDT
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ts eliot is my fav poet, that is my fav quote
i noticed it long before anyone else...
just look at my sig

  • 05.17.2006 2:49 PM PDT
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Posted by: Mr Pink7103
Good connective work.

Did you find the poem by tracking down the author's name from the cortana letters or did you really find it all on your own search. Though I have to challanege your view that this poem gives direct reference to influences in the halo story as the cortana letters hold the following data ,the "this is the way the world ends" in the cortana letters follows the phrase "your poet elliot was wrong".

This suggests to me that in fact the world will end in a bang. Also if you have not checked the cortanan letters I advise you do so as you clearly have the perk and motivation to try and track down and make such literary connections. They can be found with a simple google search.

But none the less nice job.

Damn someone posted my little bit of info already well whatever.

To be quite honest with you I do not know a lot about the Cortana letters. I just thought of this theroy while I was bored today. I already knew about this poem before the trailer came out so it was a little shocking to hear the words be used as they were used in Eliot's poem.

  • 05.17.2006 2:50 PM PDT