Cyclops

Marilyn Manson's song 'Cyclops' delves into themes of perception, guilt, and isolation through the metaphor of a Cyclops woman. The Cyclops, a mythical creature with a single eye, symbolizes a limited and distorted view of the world. The lyrics describe her vision as 'mascara-clotted,' suggesting that her perception is obscured and tainted by superficiality or societal expectations. This imagery paints a picture of someone who is unable to see the world clearly, trapped in a narrow and flawed perspective.

The repeated line 'She can't see nothing, nothing at all' emphasizes the Cyclops woman's blindness, not just in a literal sense but also metaphorically. This blindness can be interpreted as a form of ignorance or denial, where the character is unable to confront or acknowledge certain truths about herself or her surroundings. The 'pin prick spiral hole' further suggests a sense of entrapment and confinement, as if her vision and understanding are limited to a tiny, restrictive viewpoint.

The song also touches on themes of guilt and entrapment. The line 'Guilt got her trapped in nailed in well' portrays the Cyclops woman as being imprisoned by her own feelings of guilt and shame. This emotional burden is so overwhelming that it confines her, much like being trapped in a well. The phrase 'eye of the world' implies that she is a reflection of society's collective guilt and blindness. The call to 'dilate' at the end of the song suggests a need for expansion and a broader perspective, urging the listener to break free from their own narrow views and confront the deeper truths that lie beneath the surface.