The famous, meme-worthy quote "I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took an arrow in the knee" is a line used by guards throughout Skyrim and is widely attributed to be slang for marriage, but that may not be entirely true. While the image of a human taking an arrow to the knee and being forced to kneel mirrors the traditionally styled proposal commonly seen today, rumors of the phrase's origins have spiraled wildly from factual material. Marriage in Skyrim is well worth the investment, but it lacks genuine connection with the available spouses and doesn't include the kneeling of a traditional proposal. Some have attributed the "arrow to the knee" phrase to ancient Norse slang, a culture Skyrim took much inspiration from in its society and architecture, but does it track?
Though players control the Dragonborn in Skyrim and fulfill an astounding legacy, they too can partake in marriage. Memes and videos commonly associate the "arrow in the knee" with marriage, though the Dragonborn doesn't leave their adventuring lifestyle after marrying one of Skyrim's many marriage candidates. The origin and exact meaning of the famous phrase can have many implications, and not all are as obvious as could be believed.
According to Snopes, "I took an arrow in the knee" - be it in a meme or in the game - does not originate from historical sources, and the Vikings never referred to marriage in this way. The act of kneeling while proposing could stem from the Middle Ages, where kneeling played a pivotal role in many important ceremonies (including those of romantic nature). Many paintings and stories depict this pose, where chivalrous knights kneel and bow to their lords and ladies of higher status. There may also be religious connotations to kneeling. Though Skyrim doesn't explore the specific methods of worship for the various gods, players are privy to some forms of both prayer and romance in Elder Scrolls games.
No NPCs In Skyrim Are Seen Kneeling Romantically
There are a few discrepancies with the infamous "arrow in the knee" meme quotation referring to marriage, particularly romantic practices in-game. In Skyrim, many practice a polytheistic religion, meaning that several gods are worshipped instead of one. The Nine Divines are the most common deities, though the White-Gold Concordat revoked Talos' godhood in Skyrim prior to the time in which the game is set. The Temple of Mara in Riften is where players can go to get married, but there appear to be no pews there. Though priests and worshippers of different gods often kneel before various altars and totems, neither NPCs nor players can be witnessed kneeling before their romantic partners.
Despite the inaccuracy of the rumored origins of the "arrow in the knee" saying, it still seems as if Bethesda could have intended for it to be a clever, veiled comment related to marriage. However, it could also be a self-aware line referring to the overpowered nature of Skyrim's Crossbow and Archery builds. The infamous stealth-archer build is one of the most notorious character builds in Skyrim, capable of defeating some of the most powerful bosses and enemies. With the power bows, crossbows, and arrows have in-game, it's perhaps unsurprising so many adventurers had their careers crippled by an archer in the shadows.
While the "arrow in the knee" line will certainly live on in meme infamy for many years to come, its various potential meanings have, perhaps inadvertently, given Skyrim a more immersive flavor. Players who need another dose of this famous catchphrase can pick up The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, and PC, which features all the game's DLC and Creation Club mods, releasing on November 11, 2021.