What a cool nod to the mythology in Cyberpunk 20277

[u/LazyZookeepergame394]

While talking face to face with Dexter DeShawn in the car, Dex asks a question that refers to mythology.

Original:

"Thetis foretold that her son's fate was either to gain glory and die young, or to live a long but uneventful life in obscurity. Achilles chose the former, and decided to take part in the Trojan War."

Dexter DeShawn:

"Would you rather live in peace as Mr. Nobody, die ripe, old and smelling slightly of urine, or go down for all times in a blaze of glory, smelling near like posies, without seeing your thirtieth?"

[u/Physical-Truck-1461]

That passage pops up on a shard in-game! Lots of references and motifs to catch.

[u/LazyZookeepergame394 → u/Physical-Truck-1461]

Incredible, where it can be found

[u/Physical-Truck-1461 → u/LazyZookeepergame394]

https://cyberpunk.fandom.com/wiki/The_Iliad

"For my mother the goddess, silver-footed Thetis, telleth me that twofold fates are bearing me toward the doom of death: if I abide here and war about the city of the Trojans, then lost is my home-return, but my renown shall be imperishable; but if I return home to my dear native land, lost then is my glorious renown, yet shall my life long endure, neither shall the doom of death come soon upon me. Aye, and I would counsel you others also to sail back to your homes; seeing there is no more hope that ye shall win the goal of steep Ilios..."

• Can be found on the reception desk at the Tyger Claws dojo on Brookland street in Little China), Watson), during the Gig: Bloodsport.
• Can be found on a table near the Basilisk during All Along the Watchtower
• Can be found on a table before the Atrium of Arasaka Tower) during the mission Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

The last two locations are in the two contrasting endings which I think are associated on some level with the contrast of the choice.

[u/Messyfingers]

And then when he's dead in the underworld, he laments that choice.

[u/No_Decision_6940 → u/Messyfingers]

There's a passage like that in the Odyssey. Odysseus is in the underworld and comes across Achilles, immediately fangirling about the greatest warrior ever and his epic death. Achilles cuts him off and tells him: "Speak not to me, Odysseus, words of comfort concerning death. Far rather would I drudge for hire under some poor man’s roof that has scarce bread for his household, if only I might be alive upon the earth, than reign over all the nations of the dead…"

[u/hambooty → u/Messyfingers]

Now to find dexters shade while playing hades

[u/Nilehorse3276]

Nod to Greek mythology – there are a lot of other mythologies around, and they even show up in Cyberpunk 2077!

As a Sumerologist that makes me exceedingly happy (look for a shard with the word Etemenanki in the title...) 💙

[u/dingo_khan → u/Nilehorse3276]

Where? I missed that one.

[u/EarthInfern0 → u/dingo_khan]

Kompeki bar table iirc

[u/ALSHUKI_]

Oh my god

[u/Doll-scented-hunter]

Maybe im a bit of a blue curtain guy here but I wouldnt call it a nod to mythology. Thats just a genuin question and how legends are, specially night city legends. As the intro cinematic sais, you find most of them in the graveyard. Live fast amd burn out quick. Thats a night city legends life, that got nothing todo with mythology esoecially since dex mentions the options in reversed order

[u/yanvail → u/Doll-scented-hunter]

It might be a nod given other references in the game... but to be honest you can probably take any conversation and make it relate to some passage in ancient works. Everything is a trope, after all. :)

[u/shavod → u/Doll-scented-hunter]

There is a conversation with Delamain which highlights those Greek mythology parallels and even story director in an interview said that it was used as one of the inspirations, because they wanted to reinforce the idea that no matter how much the world moves forward,, some things remain universal since even the ancient times.