Red Dead Redemption 2 is a complex game with some new secret like Arthur counting his bullets, some peculiarities like Arthur's best friend being a sheep, or some new mystery like the third meteorites being discovered quite often. This goes a long way in making the world come to life, as these small connections and moments are things that bring players back for another playthrough.
Interestingly enough, these connections are indeed everywhere and can be found between one of the game's protagonists, Arthur Morgan, and its biggest antagonist, Micah Bell. These two Red Dead Redemption 2 characters could not be more different, yet there is one thing that connects the two and it highlights the overarching animosity between the two.
Red Dead Redemption 2: Micah as Prophet and Traitor
First, it's worth mentioning that Micah is a reflective character, not in the personal sense but how he makes other characters stand out. He is so insane, so bad, and so evil that the rest of the Dutch Van Der Linde Gang seems like saints in comparisons. He digs his way between Dutch and Arthur, and sets himself up to be one of the top ranking members (even though that's not technically the case). Micah breaks down the family element of the gang as such, and that shows his role as a foreshadowing character in RDR2.
Micah, for those who are unaware, is the name of an Old Testament prophet. He prophesied that enemies could come from one families, specifically stating in Micah 7:6, "For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house." This is important because of how Micah Bell infiltrates the house of Dutch and turned that family against each other. He'd go so far as to refer to the gang as his family and Arthur Morgan as "Brother." It's clear from the onset that Micah is meant to reflect and foreshadow the upcoming events of RDR2.
Red Dead Redemption 2: The Foreshadowing of Arthur's Death
When Arthur's section of Red Dead Redemption 2 comes to an end, there's a choice between going back for the money or helping John Marston escape. Players die in this section of the game, regardless of choice, but he dies in one of two ways depending on his honor. If Arthur Morgan has Low Honor, then Micah will either spit on him then shoot him in the head in one scenario or stab him in the back in another. This is clear enough, as Micah's connection to the family prophecies of the Old Testament are easily identifiable, but the other scenario is far more interesting.
If Arthur Morgan has High Honor, then he enjoys the sunset and succumbs to his Tuberculosis. There's nothing major at first glance to connect his disease to Micah Bell, as he contracted it from Thomas Downes after all. However, as demonstrated throughout the game for those who don't know, Tuberculosis is a disease that destroys the lungs and damages one' ability to breathe. While not to the same extent or even close to it, Micah has some serious respiratory issues in Red Dead 2.
Throughout the game, Micah can be seen clearing his throat, severely coughing, and frequently snorting. It's unknown why this happens, as it could be any number of things or nothing at all, but in Micah, Arthur Morgan's death is reflected well before it happens. Micah's ranting about family highlights the eventual betrayal of Dutch, as well as the fact that he potentially kills Arthur Morgan. Yet his overall health is reflective of Arthur Morgan's end of life health, and this is just one more small detail that brings the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 to life.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
