[DAV Spoilers] Solas and Fenris

Warning: abuse discussion

The more I think about it, the more I really want to compare Solas and Fenris (from DA2). Not just because they're both partially inspired by Norse Fenrir (giant wolf pupper who was abused and bound then rebels), but even in-game regarding the "choice" discussion.

We find out that Fenris chose to compete to become Danarius' prize fighter, allegedly for glory and also to better the lives of his mother and sister.

We find out that Solas chose to join Mythal in the physical world. Unlike Fenris, he started as Mythal's equal when they were spirits, and that only shifted afterwards.

So, yes, technically choice was involved. Nobody (not even Fenris, despite amnesia) became a truly mindless drone with no ability to think and act for themselves, per se. But wow is choice an insufficient way to view the massive societal, emotional, and magical oppression and violence/abuse enacted on both of these characters. Both are called "lapdogs" to their respective "owners". Fenris was Danarius' victim. Solas was Mythal's victim for the entire time we've known him, except for, optionally, the last 5-10 minutes of the game. They both killed their abusers.

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to see Solas' hypocritical or inconsistent behavior as just a constant battle to be free, while under the constraints of abuse. I'm literally even starting to wonder if his constant "oh no the ritual went wrong" mistakes are actually weaponized incompetence as resistance to his abuse/binding. Like Solas says to a low-approval Inquisitor: "Being you. Are you blissfully unaware? Or deep inside, is some part of you banging on the wall, screaming?" Solas is not blissfully unaware. His true self is banging on the wall, screaming.

Freedom is so important to him. He can be defiant and try to grant freedom to others, but, like Fenris, Solas needs other people's help to become fully free. (I don't see Mythal His Abuser as the one who freed him, btw. That's a whole other post, but spirit shenanigans and also arranged and channeled through Morrigan, also a survivor of Mythal's abuse.)

Tl;dr - Solas and Fenris are extremely different characters, but they have a lot of similarities, including experiences of abuse and slavery. And I recommend looking at Fenris, who often is a bit more obvious and easier to understand, when trying to understand Solas and Mythal.