#I did not listen to my college teachers and did not re-read my essay oops

[messy-jin]

Edgar and This Life is Mine

“This Life is Mine” is by far one of my favorite songs from all of RWBY, for many different reasons. And after finishing playing Edgar's Route in Ikemen Revolution, I could not help but think how this song actually fits his character. So, am I crazy enough to make a whole explanation of why? …... I sure am. If you are courageous enough, then be my guest ~ 

Link to the song : here!

“Mirror, can you hear me? Do I reach you? Are you even listening? Can I get through? There’s a part of me that’s desperate for changes Tired of being treated like a pawn But there’s a part of me that stares back from inside the mirror Part of me that’s scared I might be wrong That I can’t be strong…”

First of all, I can imagine Edgar thinking this way. Being “desperate for changes”, wanting to live without having to be the “pawn” killing people so his uncle can gain benefits. But at the same time, he is scared. Scared of his uncle and living with his crimes. That it is “wrong” for him to want to live like people normally do. All of it because he is trapped in this vision of the Jack of Hearts that his uncle gave him and wanted him to be(come). And for the “I can't be strong” part, he knows about his abilities, but maybe not being strong enough to break free.

“I’ve been afraid, never standing on my own I let you be the keeper of my pride Believed you when you told me I was nothing on my own Listen when I say, I swear it here today I will not surrender, this life is mine!”

Edgar let his uncle being the “keeper of [his] pride”. His uncle raised him and Edgar followed his steps, his words and actions. Not “standing on [his] own” but always with his uncle. And again, this idea of being afraid is here, and indeed, in his route, he hesitated for several parts about leaving his uncle's side. But finally, in the end, he breaks free to finally decide to live his life as HE wants because “this life is [his]”.

“Amazing how you conquered me, chained me in servility and made me see The world the way you told me to But I was young and didn’t have a way to know the truth Born to live your legacy Existing just to fill your needs, a casualty Of this so-called family that you have turned into a travesty But I don’t intend to suffer any longer Here’s where your dominion falls apart I’m shattering the mirror that kept me split in pieces, that stood between my mind and heart This is where I’ll start”

Claudius did “chained [Edgar] in servility” so he could help him into his crimes, but also chained Edgar in the description of the Jack of Hearts he made, in the world he wants to keep his nephew in. He used Edgar to “live [his] legacy” as the Jack of Hearts but also as the murderer at the Red Army's service. And he did turn his family into a “travesty” because he literally controlled everything: the death of Edgar's father, the role of the Jack of Hearts, how Edgar was supposed to ask... And after that, Edgar refuses to “suffer any longer” because of his uncle's control and made his “dominion falls apart” by fighting him. He is not going to put his heart aside anymore.

“I’m not your pet, not another thing you own I was not born guilty of your crimes Your riches and your influence can’t hold me anymore I won’t be possessed Burdened by your royal test I will not surrender This life is mine”

Edgar was not “born guilty of [Claudius's] crimes”. He was not supposed to live this life of crimes, especially since his father did not want to follow this idea of the Jack of Hearts is an assassin at the army's service, so I am pretty sure that his father would have somehow protect him from that. But Claudius decided otherwise. But once again, now, his “influence can't hold [Edgar] anymore” since he opened his eyes (thanks to Alice mostly, but he still made this decision himself, even with help, it was finally his own choice).

“Shame that it took so long to rescue me From the guilt you used to tie me to your family tree I guess your training failed, you’re not in charge I’m free Your patriarchal prison won’t hold me Now this conversation’s finally over Mirror mirror, now we’re done I’ve pulled myself together now, my mind and heart are one Finally one”

The “shame that it took so long to rescue me” line is so fitting. Edgar was forced into assassination since his childhood (7 years-old, if I remember correctly), so it was part of his life for 18 years. Almost 20 years! And Edgar might see that as a “shame” because he missed so many years, wasted so many years. Claudius used guilt “to tie [Edgar] to [his] family tree” by always telling him that it is what the Jack of Hearts has to do, that he will never be able to live normally because of all the things he did with and without him, that if one falls then the other will follow. To which Edgar answered by putting himself in a trial, because “[his] mind and heart are one” at last. To be fully free, he had to do this so he would be at ease, not feeling guilty anymore because this trial would put an end to this part of his life. Leaving the trial, he was a new man. He was finally the Edgar Bright he wants to be.

….. And that's it! I was not planning to do the whole song and yet, I did. Congratulations to all of you people who have read everything! And also thanks! I hesitated some time about posting this online... But I did not write all of this for nothing so here it was! Have a great day or night, wherever you are! Bye!