Character Analysis
Morpheus the God
First, Morpheus is a name. Then he is a voice. Finally, he is a face, albeit one that masked with some extremely '90s shades.
Ultimately, Morpheus is an enigma. He is the man who embodies the real world to the minds trapped in the Matrix. It is Morpheus that people turn to when they seek escape from the world of the Matrix; it is Morpheus who is able to give people a rebirth.
Initially it seems as if Neo is looking for Morpheus, but really it's Morpheus who's looking for Neo. Just as God seeks out his lost sheep, Morpheus seeks out the minds that are willing to break free of the bonds of the Matrix.
Morpheus the Prophet
Okay, you're probably thinking that if anyone is a prophet, it's probably the Oracle. This is true, but Morpheus is also a prophet of sorts. It's his job to acknowledge that Neo is The One, and to prepare others to accept his position as their savior and the savior of all mankind.
We're not going to get too deep into the multitude of religious symbols right here—check out our Tools of Characterization section for more on that. However, it's worth mentioning that Morpheus is, in a way, like John the Baptist, preparing the way for Christ (Neo). Baptism, like waking up in a bathtub of translucent Jell-O that looks like a mechanized salmon egg, is a symbol of rebirth. Morpheus has, in a way, baptized the crew members of the Nebuchadnezzar. He is the ultimate guide, leading people to the proverbial door that they must walk through. As the Oracle says:
ORACLE: Without him, we are lost.
Morpheus the Acolyte
Finally, Morpheus is a believer. The Nebuchadnezzar crew is his disciples, and he in turn is a disciple of the Oracle. In fact, Morpheus has so much faith in what the Oracle has told him (that he would find The One) that she comments to Neo that:
ORACLE: No one, not you, not even me, can convince him otherwise.
Wait a minute: not even the person who prophesied Morpheus' destiny can tell him it's not true? Even when Morpheus himself admits to Neo in the elevator on the way to the Oracle that she is not right or wrong but simply tells people what they need to hear?
Well, maybe that's what true faith is: a belief in something when there is ample evidence to the contrary. Morpheus' belief then seems to transcend the Oracle; it is something deeper.
Whereas Trinity is disappointed that Neo cannot make the jump on his first try, Morpheus never once shows a sign of doubt and is completely willing to sacrifice himself for his faith. It seems like his beliefs have finally been solidified by Neo's success against the agents… but just wait 'til he gets back to Zion in the second movie.
Morpheus' Timeline