what is a man castlevania game screenshot

Die Monster / What Is A Man?

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About

Die Monster and What Is A Man? are two popular catchphrases from the video game Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The lines, spoken by Richter Belmont and Dracula before the dramatic opening battle of the game, has been widely parodied in the years since the game's release for its over-the-top delivery.

Origin

In the opening scene of Symphony of the Night, released March 20th, 1997,[1] Richter Belmont confronts Dracula and the two exchange the following dialogue prior to fighting.

Richter: Die monster. You don't belong in this world!

Dracula: It was not by my hand I was once again given flesh. I was brought here by humans who wished to pay me tribute!

Richter: Tribute!? You steal men's souls, and make them your slaves!

Dracula: Perhaps the same could be said of all religions…

Richter: Your words are as empty as your soul! Mankind ill needs a savior such as you!

Dracula: What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets. But enough talk… Have at you!



Spread

The moment has been a common reference in memes online since it was highlighted in an Angry Video Game Nerd episode posted on November 19th, 2009 (shown below).



Early jokes about the dialogue posted to YouTube include a Sparta Remix of the scene posted February 18th, 2010 by YouTuber Zeo Lightning (shown below, left) and a Hitler's Downfall parody posted December 2nd, 2010 by YouTuber WolfUrameshi (shown below, right).



In the ensuing years, it has become an iconic piece of video game dialogue and has been parodied in multiple animations and dramatic readings. For example, on July 13th, 2019, Twitter user @Castlegaynias posted a Discord Sings attempt at the scene, gaining over 15,000 retweets and 32,000 likes (shown below, top). The audio from the video inspired an animated parody posted by YouTuber Payton Tate on August 9th, 2019, gaining over 1.5 million views (shown below, bottom).





The phrase has also been used in image macro parodies that turn the line into a snowclone reading "What is a X? A Y!" For example, on September 13th, 2019, Twitter user @foone[2] posted a reference to Untitled Goose Game (shown below, left). On December 24th, 2018, Twitter user @BradyHartel[3] made a Christmas-themed parody (shown below, right).


REST 35 RICHTERO0 Dracula What is a goose? A miserable little pile of honks. TCHTER Dracula what is a Christmas ? le little pile Of Presents. t--

Various Examples



Search Interest

External References

[1] Castlevania Wiki – Symphony of the Night

[2] Twitter – @Foone

[3] Twitter – BradyHartel

Recent Videos 37 total

Recent Images 33 total


Top Comments

Pun
Pun

I decided to give SotN a shot, recently. I was FULLY aware of this meme, but didn't know which Castlevania it was from. When I went to fight Dracula at the beginning, and the instant Richter said "Die, you monster! You don't belong in this world!" I burst out into tears, laughing so hard. Funnily enough, after getting dual Crissaegrims, I ripped Dracula apart as Alucard faster than you could say, well, WHAT IS A MAN.

+6
IAmTheDanger
IAmTheDanger

Well, Dio Brando once said that, to a vampire, a man to is like a monkey to a human, an inferior animal which cant defeat a superior existence. It's useless, useless, useless!

+5

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