Red Dead Redemption 2is just as mysterious as it is compelling. The vast world of the Old West lends itself to plenty of unsavory characters who are looking to strike it big out in the lawless expanses. With the story ofRed Dead Redemption 2revolving around the impending fall of the Old West, Dutch and his gang feel the changes coming on fast. However, they aren’t the only ones trying to pave a new way for themselves in this era.
Players encounter plenty of odd people throughout Arthur’s story, but one of the strangest interactions is one of the game’s most surprising. The Cave Hermit is a character who many can easily miss. A hermit living off the grid in a cave is surprising enough, but this one in particular claims he’s the Devil himself. AsRed Dead Redemption 2’s mysteriescontinue to be discovered, the Cave Hermit’s Devil Cave is one worth a solid explanation.
A Strange Encounter in Big Valley
When players are in Big Valley, West Elizabeth, a winding trail can be found northwest of Mount Shann and west of Hanging Dog Ranch. If players follow this trail, it eventually leads to an opening in the side of a rock called Hidden Tunnel that opens up into a larger cavern. It’s a cool enough find on its own, but once Arthur ventures deeper into the cave, he is greeted by the Cave Hermit. This hermit appears on a rocky platform from above, warning Arthur that he should leave, identifying himself as the Devil. Fromthe Saint Denis Vampireto the whereabouts of Princes IKZ,Red Dead Redemption 2is full of twists and turns, and the Cave Hermit is definitely a shocking run-in.
The Cave Hermit is clearly incredibly isolated due to his time living solo in the cave. However, he isn’t violent. He just makes it clear that he wishes to leave society and have it leave him alone as well. There are 5 unique encounters players can have with the Cave Hermit, and one interaction hints that he chose to live in the cave after being rejected by a woman. Other than that, he has a strong contempt for America, and just people, in general. He also boasts of being a philosopher, stating, “Philosophers live in caves. Well, the good ones do.” Although this seems likea random moment inRed Dead Redemption 2, there is strong symbolism to consider.
The Cave Hermit dresses in a red shawl and sculpts his hair to resemble two horns.
In one encounter, the Cave Hermit boasts that he isn’t tied to the morality of humanity outside. This mirrors the lawlessness of the Old West as it’s beginning to transform into a more stable and civilized world. The Cave Hermit doesn’t agree with democracy or the American way of life, showing his fear of change, even if he won’t admit it. Fear of the quickly changing nature of the American frontier isan ongoing theme inRed Dead Redemption 2, and the Cave Hermit could be another way to illustrate this.
Isolated Hermit or Misunderstood Philosopher?
The Cave Hermit’s Strong Philosophical Themes
Since the Cave Hermit considers himself a philosopher, the fact that he is in a cave is a further nod to this. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave is all about how philosophers strive to perceive higher levels of reality. With the Cave Hermit boasting of his freedom from the confines of the American way, this could be his interpretation of perceiving a greater reality. Players can spendhours inRed Dead Redemption 2and never come across this character, which makes him even more compelling.
There is a lot touncover inRed Dead Redemption 2. The Cave Hermit may not be an essential character in the story, but he does help further illustrate some of the themes explored throughout the narrative.
