When Hollow Knight first opens, it is preceded by a poem called "Elegy for Hallownest," and though players might not realize it there and then, it lays out the general premise of the story they will encounter throughout the game. Hollow Knight: Silksong's own poem "Pharloom's Folly" appears to be paralleling its predecessor and could very well be providing players hints as to what Silksong's story might be, including its subtitle. With the hindsight of being able to analyze Elegy for Hallownest, it seems Team Cherry anticipated fan speculation and has made Pharloom's Folly far shorter, giving fans a harder time theorizing.
However, going line by line and breaking down the core component found in each, relating it to Hollow Knight and what's currently known about Hollow Knight: Silksong, fans can try to piece together the semblance of the game's story and what might await players upon its release. As many have begun to realize, the connections of silk, music, and the Weavers scattered throughout the few details known about Silksong, there is a strong case that Hornet will be heavily involved in the lore and history that Pharloom might have to offer. But Pharloom's Folly may reveal more than just that, and could help prime players for the story they're about to uncover.
1: They see your beauty, so frail and fine,
The first line indicates that its subject is a beautiful creature, even in spite of its fragility. As the Elegy for Hallownest opened to the Pale King's arrival and reign, this line from Pharloom's Folly could parallel Hornet's arrival in the new kingdom. Connotations of beauty often evoke the feminine, which would again align with allusion to Hornet, who is a departure from Hollow Knight and the genderless Knight. It seems then that the poem is drawing a close comparison to Hornet, even if she's not the subject itself, possibly setting the stage for a juxtaposition between Hornet and who or what this creature might be.
2: They see your peace, woven of faith and toil,
The second line could be another allusion to Hornet. Her role in Hollow Knight was secondary to the Knight's, often guiding them on their journey in order to defeat the infection. Additionally, though a child of the Pale King and Herrah, Hornet seemed to be in service to her mother. Mentions of weaving not only tie to the new crafting system but also hints towards the Weavers who were mostly cut from Hollow Knight, suggesting they will wield a more involved role in Silksong. Suggestions of peace, faith, and toil though indicate that there could be a broader movement at play, perhaps a cult or religion with some higher purpose in store.
3: They forget your heart, bound in slumber and servitude,
This next line could be building upon the former, with servitude again conjuring the idea of being indentured to some cause, but also with slumber: Herrah was one of three Dreamers from Hollow Knight. Herrah's agreement to be a Dreamer and sleep forever, however, was only on the condition that she have a child, Hornet. This could suggest that Herrah will have a greater kind of connection to Pharloom than anticipated and could even be implying that Pharloom was originally Herrah's birthplace. Because of this, Hornet's arrival to Pharloom could be the catalyst to Silksong's story as a descendant of Herrah, leading to Hornet ascending to her birthright.
4: When you wake they shall see your truth,
Another continuation to the sleeping imagery, only now the subject is apparently waking up. If like before, this is a reference to Herrah or Hornet and her connection to Herrah, then this could indicate that something never seen before will be brought to Silksong. While this could be because Herrah, like the other Dreamers, was asleep and therefore inactive in Hollow Knight, a likelier explanation could tie to Silksong's announcement trailer, which shows just a glimpse of Hornet conjuring silk-like magic to free herself from captivity. This line could be laying the groundwork for a possible revelation or "truth" that Hornet is far more powerful than had been previously seen.
5: A beast's nature bare to all.
This last line could be setting the stage for the main antagonistic force that will be in Silksong, but what's interesting is that Herrah was also called "the beast." Yet again there are connections drawn between Herrah, Hornet, and the Weavers at large, suggesting that Pharloom is more involved with them than just surface level. Given that the framing of Herrah and Hornet has been so close throughout the poem, it could also indicate that Hornet is actually the beast in question. Silksong then could follow Hornet as she uncovers her lineage and may come to realize some form of "truth," whether good or bad, about herself and Hollow Knight's Weavers.
Overall, Pharloom's Folly is creating a very intricate, interconnected web of allusions and relationships between several characters, creatures, and concepts. The implied references to Herrah would suggest that as the leader of the Spider Tribe, who canonically rejected the Pale King's rule, she has a deeper connection to Pharloom than first thought. In fact, current theories indicate that Herrah or the Weavers actually migrated away from Pharloom, since aesthetically a kingdom centered around silk and weaving would likelier be the home of the Weavers than Hallownest. Perhaps Pharloom's Folly is telling the tale of Herrah's expected return, but with her gone, the lineage has now fallen to Hornet.
The name itself is worth also exploring, as "folly" carries two meanings: one is an act of foolishness or lack of common sense, and the other is a tall, purposeless ornamental tower or building. While current rumors suggest that Hornet will climb upwards in Pharloom as opposed to Hallownest's downward map, meeting the criteria of the second meaning, it could also tie to the first definition. The question is what foolish act or event happened in Pharloom that inspired the poem, and how this relates to Hornet's story. Confirmed details are unfortunately scarce, but fans are determined to continue to piece together whatever they can in order to better understand Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is in development for PC, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
