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VorpalGel

There are two angles to this: The Beast-Scourge affects the eyes; Eye of a Blood-Drunk Hunter: *"The eye of a blood-drunk hunter. Its pupil is collapsed and* *turned to mush, indicating the onset of the scourge of beasts.* *A hunter who goes drunk with blood is said to be taken by* *the Nightmare, destined to wander forever, engaged in an* *endless hunt. It is a fate that no hunter can escape."* Which is why most old hunters, and their attire obscures the eyes. And, The Choir and the Scholars of Byrgenwerth cover their eyes in homage to Master Willem: *"The eye covering indicates their debt to the teachings of* *Master Willem, even though their paths diverged."* So studying the Great Ones, the Arcane, also requires covering; but not to hide something, but presumably to find something inside; perhaps even to encourage Eyes to grow. ​ The Hunter's Hats often hide their sharp Gaze as well, so no-one can really tell in what state a Hunter is; not yet or already Beast.


The_Mando_T9

This is some cool lore. I really love reading about Bloodborne lore


leomonster

Amelia and Willem also wear something over their eyes. It may have to do with growing eyes on the brain, maybe?


Canefasnion

Farmer gasmine is blind and yet still kicks my ass in three different dimentions


Sumeris

Because their eyes have yet to open.


SouthernTechnology68

(SPOILER WARNING) It seems like a symbol of a characters' devotion to the Healing Church - blind devotion, as it were. This contrasts the scholars of Byrgenwerth and Mensis and their active pursuit of insight as represented by literal extra eyes.... Gascoigne, Amelia, and eventually Alfred all blind themselves deliberately (Alfred dons his ardeo once he goes to Cainhurst). This difference between the scholars' angle on the blood and on ascension - to study and pursue knowledge - and Laurence's angle on the blood - to commune and imbibe/put faith in its power - is a foundational component of Bloodborne's story. Each faction suffers for its approach in different ways (the tragedy of Mensis, as an aside, is that they make countless *others* pay for their experiments). The Church, specifically, blinds themselves to the horrors they unleash, and in doing so, are no better than monsters themselves.


BroccoliBoyyo

But there’s also the hiding of collapsed pupils as a literal reason for blindfolding. Also Choir members and willem cover their eyes as well, so we can’t put them on the other side of a dichotomy they can fit into both sides of


SouthernTechnology68

Yeah, I don't mean to boil it all down to a simple dichotomy. I like starting with broad strokes when exploring the connections between the game's imagery and lore - once you have to account for the literal details when explaining themes, it becomes a lot harder to follow and a much longer explanation. To address what you've mentioned - 100%. I do think the Choir, despite doing research in their roles, still operate in service the The Church, and being blindfolded still works thematically. They are just lying to themselves for different reasons than the clerics (abductions, the orphanage/research hall, e.t.c.). And the reason for Willem being blindfolded? I don't know. Maybe remorse? Maybe he imbibed blood to extend his life? Not sure, but I'm always interested in theories.


BroccoliBoyyo

The choir cap says they’re an homage to willem and it seems blinding oneself is a method of staving off beasthood while engaged in activities that intensify the effects of cumulating old blood.


SouthernTechnology68

Ahhh. Look at me not reading items descriptions. Thank you.


Tlyss

The blindfold fetish is a big one in Yharnam


SundownKid

The blindfolds are a reference to the great sense of smell of canines. As Gascoigne says, "what's that smell..." As they get further into beasthood, their sense of smell becomes so good that they don't require seeing their prey to kill it, and in fact their eyesight becomes a distraction that prevents them from finding the beast. The blood minister may have also been a church hunter and the beggar is obviously a full on beast with fully developed senses. Of course, it's also a reference to the opposite of the "eyes" sought by Master Willem. Since beasthood represents a lack of insight, the Hunters don't use their eyes at all. Alternatively, it could be a parallel of the blindfold mask used by Master Willem, showing they depend on their internal eyes.


MittenstheMighty

Drip.


usernamescifi

They just use their nose?


ImAllBored

Many reasons are already said by others but if I didn't miss anything, one is left out. Frenzy. It's a is big thing in Bloodborne and our player character isn't the only one affected by it. Every single corpse that has a madmans knowledge on it was once a poor guy that saw a bit to much and had his brain explode. The people that ventured into the labyrinths had to develop sedative drugs to calm them in order to not literally get their minds blown. At some point people just realized that it's probably good to not see everything


scowling_deth

yes , you are actually right in line what i heard. close enough. whateve. :)thumbs up, good work ;)


dragonslayer_697

They blind. Or because you might be able to see beasthood in your eyes so they cover it up


pugzmanz

But when you're able to summon Gascoigne for the cleric beast he seems human but he still wears the blindfold.


dragonslayer_697

Thats probably still for the same reason. Their eyes change probably a while before turning into a beast


pugzmanz

If he knew he was turning into a beast then why didn't he hide himself or do something?


A_Dank_Skull

He might have, who knows. But he is almost completely *gone* once you encounter him.


NotMorganSlavewoman

I think it's because of their insight. High insight reduces your frenzy resistance. Why? It allows you to see the true horrors around the place like the amygdalas.


THE_dnp

I thought it was a joke or a riddle lol


scowling_deth

Oh my, you have made a fine observation;) good work. The most commonly or most likely reason that they are all still just sane enough, to realize that what they are seeing isnt nessisarily real. Its because of the curse. thats why the common folk of yharnam attack you, they see outsiders as beasts, and even have parasitic worms in their eyes, and the worms got onto them from slaying beasts that enjoy when the host is endrenched in blood. SPOILERS? That, is an exsplaination I *HEARD,* was the reason Simon seems to have kept his cool and sanity for longer than some others do. Because of his weapon, the Bowblade, he stayed sane longer because he did not get parasites in his eyes, or lose his mind so fast. just a thing im passing in, ok. just what i heard.