Silent Hill 2 Pyramid Head Analysis

Pyramid Head from the video game Silent Hill 2 has remained the Silent Hill series' iconic monster. This is most probably due to the originality of the monster as well as the complex psychological implications of it. While there are quite a few good attempts at analysis around, there are some implications that seem to have been missed. Herein, the significance and complexity of Pyramid Head will be explored.

Pyramid Head serves as a manifestation of what Jung would call the Shadow Archetype. This is basically the repressed negative aspects of every human being and in Silent Hill represents the repressed negative aspects of James Sunderland¹. To represent James Sunderland's Shadow Archetype, the monster Pyramid Head draws upon a relatively wide selection of concepts.

Pyramid Head As Executioner

In terms of its appearance, Pyramid Head first draws upon the image of an executioner from the medieval ages. As Executioners are almost exclusively male and associated with oppressive, masculine laws, Pyramid Head represents James Sunderland's oppressive masculinity. It also represents how James essentially 'executed' his wife. This particular association is made most clear towards the end of the game where the two Pyramid Heads execute Maria, with the whole scene looking much like a medieval style execution with James essentially being in the audience.

Pyramid Head As Phallic Entity

Pyramid Head also has a secondary representation associated with oppressive masculinity by having a clearly phallic appearance. This is both in terms of its general appearance; with its head essentially representing the glans of male anatomy, as well as the weapons it uses all being long, stabbing weapons of some kind or another. It is no mistake that James eventually comes to wield Pyramid Head's blade, which is effective against anything that has experienced oppressive masculinity such as Eddie or other feminine monsters that represent his wife. Of course, as Pyramid Head represents oppressive masculinity, it also serves to oppress the other monsters by essentially abusing them.

Pyramid Head As Born From A Murder

Near the end Silent Hill 2, James must essentially fight two Pyramid Heads. This is because he has murdered, or believes he has murdered, two people. Thus, when defeated, one of the Pyramid Head monsters has a rusted egg, representing the murder of Mary, and one has a crimson egg, representing the murder of Eddie.

References:

1.Jung, C.G. (1938). "Psychology and Religion." In CW 11: Psychology and Religion: West and East. P.131.