Sunglasses are a recurring symbol in The Matrix. Even the shape of the lens have implicit meaning, which lies below the surface of the film's story and presentation. The agents wear rectangular-lensed sunglasses, which show how mechanical the agents are. After all, the agents in the matrix are actually machines and not real people. The renegade group, on the other hand, wears rounded sunglasses. These round lenses look much more organic than the rectangular lenses of the agents, signifying that the renegades are “real” or organic. However, when Morpheus and Neo are going to see the oracle, Cypher is wearing rectangular sunglasses, symbolizing his decision to leave his group and join the machines in the matrix.
Early on in the film, when Trinity takes Neo to meet Morpheus for the first time, Neo is given the choice between two pills. The blue pill signifies the blissful ignorance of illusion and Neo staying in slavery or a “prison of the mind.” The red pill symbolizes the painful truth of reality, knowledge of the matrix, and a freeing of the mind. When Morpheus holds up the two pills for Neo, one in each hand, we see two different reflections in each of Morpheus’ two sunglass lenses. This is most notable when Neo is reaching for the pill. On the right side, we see Neo sitting still and the blue pill. On the left side, however, we see the red pill with Neo reaching his hand to pick it up. Morpheus’ sunglasses simultaneously show the two different paths that Neo has to choose from.
Upon Neo's descision to become aware of what the matrix really is, he has to go through a series of training programs to become proficient in defending himself and navigating the matrix. During one of these training programs, Neo is with Morpheus on a busy city sidewalk. In this scene, Neo is the only thing actually reflected in Morpheus’ sunglasses. Though this could be due to the fact that this scene was undoubtedly shot with a green screen and only really involved Neo and Morpheus, it is more likely the situation because Neo and Morpheus were added into the computer program. Everything else was created by Mouse for the training so only those two men actually exist.
Although sunglass reflections are a very powerful symbol in The Matrix, the removal of sunglasses is also significant. This act, or the fact that the character is not wearing any sunglasses, can signify two major things. The removal or lack of sunglasses can symbolize that the character is gaining a new or different perspective. It can also signify a vulnerability that does not exist when sunglasses are on. Agent Smith’s sunglasses make him seem withdrawn and faceless, like the two agents who always accompany him. In the beginning of the film, when Agent Smith is interrogating Neo, he takes his sunglasses off. In doing so, the agent seems more human, relatable, and almost likeable. Towards the end of the film, when Morpheus is being tortured by the agents in their headquarters, he is not wearing any sunglasses. This shows Morpheus’ undeniable vulnerability. From our point of view, we can see things sunglasses would hide, such as the pain in his eyes or his eyeballs rolling into the back of his head.
Sunglasses in The Matrix are used for many different reasons. They are used as a mask, to differentiate between good and evil (the rebel group and the agents), and to show what is “real” when in the matrix or a training program. The sunglasses in this film are for more than just to protect the characters’ eyes from the sun, especially since there is no sunlight in any scene.
References
Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies. 4th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2013. 2-61. Print.
Calise, Greg. "Become an Anomaly In the Matrix."Riverbank of Truth: The Inner
Journey. N.p., 29 Jun 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014
<http://riverbankoftruth.com/2013/06/29/become-an-anomaly-in-the-matrix-by-greg- calise/>.
"Observations about the movie The Matrix." Writing About the Truth. N.p., n. d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014
<http://www.lyberty.com/home_archive/06_2000/matrix_reflections.html>.
The Wachowski Brothers, dir. The Matrix. Warner Bros., 1999. DVD. 16 Jan 2014.
Williams, Ali. "In Defense of Comic Book Movies (For Nerds Only)." True North: Strong and Free. Blogspot, 03 Apr 2007. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://true-
north-strong-and-free.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-defense-of-comic-book-movies- for.html>.
Barsam, Richard, and Dave Monahan. Looking at Movies. 4th ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2013. 2-61. Print.
Calise, Greg. "Become an Anomaly In the Matrix."Riverbank of Truth: The Inner
Journey. N.p., 29 Jun 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014
<http://riverbankoftruth.com/2013/06/29/become-an-anomaly-in-the-matrix-by-greg- calise/>.
"Observations about the movie The Matrix." Writing About the Truth. N.p., n. d. Web. 22 Jan. 2014
<http://www.lyberty.com/home_archive/06_2000/matrix_reflections.html>.
The Wachowski Brothers, dir. The Matrix. Warner Bros., 1999. DVD. 16 Jan 2014.
Williams, Ali. "In Defense of Comic Book Movies (For Nerds Only)." True North: Strong and Free. Blogspot, 03 Apr 2007. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://true-
north-strong-and-free.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-defense-of-comic-book-movies- for.html>.