Is Genshin Impact’s Dottore *Actually* a Doctor? Let’s Diagnose This Harbinger.
So, you want to know about Il Dottore from Genshin Impact? The big question: is this blue-haired, half-masked Harbinger really a doctor? The answer is complicated. Understanding this requires a bit of thought. It’s like deciphering Sumeru Akademiya’s papers. Intriguing, but tough.
Decoding “Dottore”: It’s Not Just Stethoscopes and Syringes
First, let’s look at the name. “Dottore” means “Doctor” in Italian. Simple, right? Not quite. In Italy, anyone graduating from university can be called “Dottore.” Your barista with an art history degree? “Dottore.” Confusing for foreigners? Yes. The title doesn’t mean he’s a scalpel-wielding doctor.
In Italy, getting a degree is significant. “Dottore” reflects a person’s learning level, not their specific profession. It’s more about hard study at university than medicine.
Il Dottore: Harbinger, Mad Scientist, …Med School Dropout?
Next, let’s discuss this Dottore. He’s the Second of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. This signals power and likely villainy. His codename is “The Doctor,” yet he’s known as an… let’s say, *enthusiastic* researcher. “Mad scientist” fits better. Knowledge and experimentation drive him, not ethical considerations.
Is he a doctor in the medical sense? Probably not. Did he attend medical school? Doubtful. Il Dottore gained his “expertise” through unconventional methods. His lab likely ignores safety regulations. He pushes boundaries labeled “morality” and “human decency.”
And those experiments? They turn kids into monsters and treat people like lab rats. Dehumanizing? Absolutely. Effective? Sadly, yes. This is no friendly physician. He’s a rogue scientist influenced by too many Frankenstein tales.
The Look of a… Doctor? (If Doctors Wore Half-Masks and Had Sharp Teeth)
Now, let’s describe our “doctor.” Imagine someone over 500 years old. Yes, that’s 500+ years. He has medium-length, light blue hair and red eyes hidden behind a stylish half-mask. And he has sharp teeth. Not the smile you’d expect from a family doctor, right?
Despite the unsettling look and vibe, Dottore is canonically handsome. Beauty varies by perspective. He moves distinctively – chest puffed out, knees bent, bouncy steps, dramatic hand gestures. Picture a slightly arrogant character; you’re close.
The Mask Speaks Volumes (and Probably Smells Faintly of Lab Chemicals)
The half-mask has significance. It refers to Commedia dell’arte’s character “Il Dottore,” representing a pompous physician or professor. Think of old Italian comedies with exaggerated characters. The mask has a bulbous nose and prominent forehead, emphasizing self-importance and arrogance. It shouts, “I’m smart!”
Historically in Commedia dell’arte, Il Dottore wears a black suit and perhaps a ruff, resembling a medieval doctor. The mask highlights a bulbous nose, crucial for this character type. Interestingly, this character came from Bologna, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities. The mask has deep historical significance, symbolizing intellectual authority.
Evil Deeds and Questionable Bedside Manner
No sugarcoating here: Dottore is evil. Like, *really* evil. He causes some of Genshin Impact’s most complex events. Remember Scaramouche’s fall? Dottore masterminded that. The sabotage of the Mikage Furnace? That’s him again. Framing Niwa as a traitor after his death? Dottore did it.
Still not convinced? Future visions reveal Dottore burning the Irminsul tree, holding Teyvat’s knowledge. That’s far worse than burning down the Library of Alexandria! Fans online agree: Dottore is the game’s most evil character and a vile psychopath in the lore.
Frenemies and Fellow Evil-Doers
Even villains form relationships. Dottore’s interactions are twisted. Scaramouche finds out about Dottore’s role in his suffering. Not surprisingly, he was not pleased. This discovery drove Scaramouche to erase himself from Irminsul, a drastic choice for a Harbinger.
Dottore seems to bond with Pantalone. They share goals of “changing the natural order,” similar childhoods, and equal abilities. Birds of a feather flock together? Mad scientists instead?
Nahida, the Dendro Archon, criticizes Dottore’s “hypocrisy built on absolute confidence.” If he thought he could beat her with brute force, he would try. Nahida sees his intellectual posturing and ruthless ambition clearly. She stands for wisdom and nature, while Dottore embodies twisted ambition.
Evil-ometer Comparisons: Dottore vs. the Rest
Is Dottore the *most* evil Harbinger? It’s tough competition. He ranks high, though. Even Arlecchino runs a *house of hearth* that resembles a child soldier factory but may not compare in sheer evil to Dottore’s gruesome experiments on children. Capitano might not even be downright villainous and belongs to the Fatui despite their complexity.
Doctors of All Kinds: A Quick Interlude
Back to the “doctor” title: it isn’t restricted to medicine. Chiropractors and dentists are doctors. People with PhDs are also doctors. The term comes from the Latin “docere,” meaning “to teach.” A PhD denotes expertise in an area. Even “DNM doctors” utilize natural remedies for holistic treatment.
Random Dottore Facts (Because Why Not?)
A couple of fun facts: a leak suggests Dottore may be coded as a “Claymore” user in game files. Picture him swinging a giant sword! Terrifyingly effective, for sure. As the Second Harbinger, he remains incredibly powerful.
So, is Dottore a doctor? In university terms, perhaps if he got a degree amidst mad science antics. Medically speaking? Definitely not one you’d want! He embodies questionable practices and unethical experimentation. Maybe “Doctor Frankenstein” suits him better. Either way, he’s a character to avoid – from a safe distance!
