Arthas Menethil – Warcraft universe. Twelve Most Memorable Deaths in Video Games
Table of Contents
Game: Warcraft series and World of Warcraft
Cause of death: merge with Lich King and then death in battle at The Frozen Throne
Last words: "I only see darkness... for me."
How we'll remember him: as one of the most tragic heroes in the Warcraft universe and yet another proof that you either die a hero or live long enough to become a villain
There is no shortage of heart-wrenching stories in the universe of Warcraft, but few among them (if any) can rival the tragic fate of Arthas Menethil. The character had the potential to become a noble, pure hero, but the horrors he had to commit eventually pushed him down the path of death and destruction. Back as a young prince of Lordaeron and a talented Paladin, Arthas had to face the threat of the undead plague. To stop the inhabitants of yet another town from turning into monsters, he was forced to carry out a bloody purge and burn the settlement to the ground. This event changed him – he began to desperately seek revenge against the demon Mal'ganis that drove him to committing the genocide. In the process, Arthas lost the support of some of his followers – including Jaina and Uther.
From that moment on, the prince would not hesitate to do anything he could to catch his enemy. He could burn his men's ships, betray his allies, and leave his friends to die. In the end, he managed to defeat Mal'ganis, but the cursed blade Frostmourne he used in the battle consumed his soul and caused him to lose whatever remained of his good nature. He became a subordinate of Lich King and committed further disgraceful acts for his master – murdered his own father and mentor, betrayed allies and plundered cities.
In the end, Arthas perished not in a battle or a duel. Instead, he went to the Icecrown Citadel and merged with the Lich King, renouncing his identity and humanity. He returned to his own form only a moment before his death – after the destruction of Frostmourne and subsequent releasing of the young prince's soul, Arthas died in the arms of his father's ghost. His story shows that any noble hero can become a ruthless villain, whose end will not with redemption, but darkness and damnation. And I think that's why it's such a powerful tale.
The story of Arthas is so extensive that three different voice actors were hired to portray the various phases of the life of the prince of Lordaeron. Back in Warcraft III, his voice was provided by Justin Gross. In World of Warcraft, Arthas' voice as the Death Knight belongs to Patrick Seitz, and as the Lich King – to Michael McConnohie. Interestingly, the latter also provides voice to Uther the Lightbringer, Arthas' former mentor, who died at his hands.
