The Fallen Angel x Eren Yeager

Imma talk about my fave painting - The Fallen Angel - and why its story fits so well with Eren Yeager's story.

*ATTACK ON TITAN SPOILERS*

*This is just some background on the painting of youre interested in it, u can skip this bit if u want

The Fallen Angel

The Fallen Angel was created in 1847 by Alexandre Cabanel, a young French painter who, at just 24 years old, dared to depict Lucifer like no one had before. Here the Fallen Angel is not a monstrous being or a demonic shadow but a figure of almost divine beauty. His body, sculpted with the perfection of a Greek god, lies on rocky ground, his muscles tense, his hands clenched as if trying to contain an emotion on the verge of explosion, but what truly captivates us is not his body; it is his gaze. Cabanel forces us to hold Lucifer's stare to confront those eyes filled with hatred, resentment and something deeper than mere downfall. 

Above him the sky still gleams with the presence of victorious angels celebrating God's glory. Lucifer, on the other hand, is alone and defeated, but has he truly accepted his fate? Why do his eyes burn with such intensity? Is it the pain of defeat that consumes him? or the fury of one plotting revenge? Is he gathering strength to rise again? or simply drowning in his own despair? 

Cabanel created a rough sketch for the painting in which many of the elements defining the final version were already present, but crucial details were still missing in this preliminary version. Lucifer appears with his head bowed, his gaze lost and one hand over his forehead, conveying a sense of absolute defeat. However, Something changed in Cabanel's vision when he finally completed the definitive version; in the final painting, Lucifer no longer appears defeated but defiant, his eyes now staring directly at the viewer, conveying a mix of anger, resentment and a more elusive emotion that is harder to decipher. 

With this work, Cabanel departed from the traditional iconography of Lucifer; instead of a grotesque and demonic figure, he presented an angel of unsettling beauty caught in a moment of transition between the fall and what would come next. The painting did not receive the reception Cabanel had hoped for when he presented it at the Paris Salon in 1847. Far from being celebrated, it was met with scepticism and harsh criticism. Cabanel's depiction of Lucifer defied the expectations of the time; his body, far from being monstrous or grotesque, had the idealised perfection of a Greek god. His musculature, posture and expression made him look more like a tragic hero than a demonic entity. Many critics asked, How could the devil be so beautiful? Cabanel, however, saw no contradiction in this; outer beauty could be deceptive, and morality was not always reflected in appearance. In fact, whether intentional or not, his vision had literary and religious support; in the Book of Ezekiel, Satan is described as perfect in beauty. 

Cabanel drew inspiration from two fundamental sources. the Bible and Paradise Lost by John Milton, the biblical story of Satan's fall as described in the Book of Revelation 12 recounts the battle between Michael and his angels against the Great Dragon, who is ultimately defeated and cast out of Heaven along with his followers. This is precisely the moment Cabanel chose to represent in his painting Lucifer, newly fallen, separated from celestial glory and condemned to the earth. 

However, beyond the biblical account, Cabanel may have found an even richer source of inspiration in Paradise Lost, the epic poem published by John Milton in 1667. Milton describes Satan's fall with impressive emotional and philosophical depth portraying him not just as God's adversary but as a charismatic and tragic leader who rebels against divine authority. His Satan is a complex character driven by unyielding determination; rather than accepting his defeat, he proclaims one of his most famous lines: better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. 

OOOKAY MOVING ON TO THE GOOD STUFF 

EREN YEAGER X THE FALLEN ANGEL

The parallels between Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan and The Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel are fascinating, as both figures share themes of rebellion, existential suffering, and a complex relationship with power and humanity.

Rebellion and Defiance

• Throughout Attack on Titan, Eren's character evolves from a passionate defender of humanity to someone willing to sacrifice everything, including his own humanity, in his quest for freedom. His ultimate choice to unleash the "Rumbling" is an act of rebellion against a world that has oppressed his people, and he challenges the very nature of human existence. In Cabanel's painting, the fallen angel represents a figure who has been cast out of paradise, embodying rebellion against divine order. The angel is depicted as defiant and sorrowful, having rejected the heavenly authority, much like Eren rejects the established order in his world.

 Isolation and Loneliness

• As Eren's journey progresses, he becomes increasingly isolated. His obsession with freedom alienates him from those around him, including his closest friends. This alienation is a key aspect of his character arc, highlighting the burden of his choices. In the painting, the angel is depicted in a solitary, melancholic pose, symbolizing the isolation that comes with being cast out of heaven. This mirrors Eren's own sense of solitude as he distances himself from those who once cared about him.

Suffering and Internal Conflict

• Eren's internal struggle is a central theme in his story. His transformation into a weapon, the toll it takes on his body and mind, and the moral dilemmas he faces all contribute to his suffering. He is torn between his desire for freedom and the devastating consequences of his actions.The fallen angel is also a symbol of internal conflict. His sorrowful expression and posture suggest that, while he has rebelled, he regrets his fall from grace. There's a tension between his newfound freedom and the loss of his former place in paradise, creating a deep emotional complexity.

Loss of Innocence

• Eren starts his journey with a strong sense of justice, but by the end, his actions reflect a loss of innocence. His willingness to annihilate entire populations for the sake of his vision of freedom represents a moral descent, where the cost of his ideals becomes more apparent. The fallen angel’s descent from heaven represents a loss of innocence. The angel’s fall signifies a fall from grace, where purity is replaced with sorrow and regret, paralleling Eren’s own loss of innocence as he moves further from his original goal of saving humanity.

Transformation and Power

• Eren undergoes a dramatic physical and psychological transformation throughout the series. His acquisition of the power of the Founding Titan changes him into a being that is both god-like and tragic, much like the fallen angel, who, despite his divine origin, becomes a tragic figure after his fall. The angel’s transformation from a celestial being to a fallen one mirrors Eren’s journey from a hopeful young man to a tragic anti-hero with immense power. Both characters wield power that is both a source of their strength and their downfall.

Ambiguity and Moral Complexity

• Eren is a morally complex character. His actions, although extreme, are motivated by a desire to protect his people and bring an end to oppression. However, his methods become questionable, blurring the lines between heroism and villainy. Cabanel's painting captures a morally ambiguous figure in the angel. Though the angel is cast out for rebellion, the viewer is invited to sympathize with his plight, suggesting that his fall may be both a tragedy and an act of defiance against a flawed system. This ambiguity mirrors the complexity of Eren’s choices and his struggle to reconcile his actions with his original ideals.

In summary, both Eren Yeager and The Fallen Angel represent figures who challenge established norms and endure significant emotional and existential suffering due to their rebellion. Their stories are filled with themes of isolation, loss of innocence, transformation, and the moral complexity of their actions, making the parallels between the two figures increadably interesting >_<.

Y'all thats it ＼(^-^)／