One of the most famous Spongebob Squarepants fan theories is the one about how the characters represent the Seven Deadly Sins. This theory has been floating around the internet for a while, and states that each character from the popular Nickelodeon series represents one of the deadly sins outlined in the Bible. The famous seven deadly sins are described in Proverbs, Chapter 6, and Galatians, Chapter 5. They are Gluttony, Lust, Sloth, Greed, Wrath, Envy, and Pride.
Given how adult jokes in Spongebob Squarepantsare aplenty, it should come as no surprise that the seemingly childish show has deeper and darker roots. How does each character match up with the Seven Deadly Sins? Is there even evidence to back up every connection? Whether it is true or not, the SpongeBob Squarepants deadly sins theory is certainly fun to consider. Read on below to consider the dark sides of humanity personified by your favorite SpongeBob characters over the show's run.
In the Bible, “sloth” is described as excessive laziness and Patrick certainly fits the bill. Patrick Star, recipient of an award for doing nothing in “Big Pink Loser,” definitely represents this sin because he spends the bulk of his time sleeping under a rock and eating excessively.
In addition to being the epitome of laziness, sloth is also the failure to utilize the talents you do have. Patrick is shown to have remarkable strength. He able to lift the rock he sleeps under without trouble. He becomes a karate master in “Karate Star,” but only uses the power to do things like steal ice cream. It is clear that Patrick mostly uses his incredible strength as a means to indulge in his own laziness.
Plankton, whose main motivation is stealing the Krusty Krab secret formula, is certainly envy. Envy is defined as the desire to have an item or experience someone else has. Almost every one of Plankton’s storylines revolve around his obsessive need to one up Mister Krabs.
Plankton is far more concerned with taking something away from someone else rather than cultivating his own talents and skills. He’s even green with envy.
Lust is usually seen as excessive sexual desire. However, when defined by Aristotle, lust represents any kind of excessive love for others. SpongeBob, with his unending optimism and friendliness, certainly harbors an excessive amount of love for his friends in Bikini Bottoms. He is so blinded by love that he is oblivious to the fact Squidward finds him annoying, often comically misinterpreting Squidward’s sarcasm and anger. SpongeBob - minus that "one scene" - mostly embodies this G-rated variety of lust.
However, in 2005, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson alleged SpongeBob Squarepants promotes homosexuality. When SpongeBob and other cartoon characters were used in a video promoting diversity, Dobson claimed the video was a tool glorifying homosexuality being distributed to elementary school students. While Dobson may think SpongeBob’s lust has sexual undertones meant to brainwash America’s fragile youth, that notion is more unfounded than even the most laughable of fan theories.
Greed is marked by an excessive love for money and material things. Mr. Krab is the perfect embodiment of this trait. He refers to customers in monetary terms (i.e., “That’s my money walking out the door”) and runs the Krusty Krab under the philosophy, “The money is always right.” He even loses his arms and suffers a severe head injury in one episode in an attempt to pull a dime out of the garbage disposal (is this the best SpongeBob episode?).
Throughout the series, Mr. Krabs has shown a shocking dedication to his money. He keeps his first dollar framed and prominently displayed in his home and is willing to do just about anything to make a profit. What hasn’t the guy done for money? He sold Spongebob’s soul for less than a dollar once and even went into graverobbing to make some extra cash.
Gluttony is the continual consumption of food or drink, which is represented by Gary. The snail doesn’t do much on the show other than eat and drink. One would think, given how Gary mostly displays traits associated with a house cat, it’s unfair to expect him to show restraint in regards to meals. However, the series hints that Gary has great intelligence.
When SpongeBob visits Gary’s dream, Gary is lounging in a library and harbors an impressive vocabulary. Gary also apparently pays SpongeBob’s electricity bill and is an accomplished violinist. It is eventually revealed that Gary descends from royalty. Maybe his tendency towards gluttony is related to the lavish lifestyle of the very wealthy.
Squidward Tentacles represents wrath. According to the Bible, wrath is marked by uncontrollable hatred toward the world in general. Squidward’s most notable trait is his malice for everyone else in Bikini Bottoms - especially his neighbor, Spongebob.
After a harmless prank, Squidward retaliates by having Spongebob violently thrown around the Krusty Krab before being chucked in a garbage can. As Spongebob runs out of the establishment crying, Squidward maniacally laughs. In the show’s first Christmas special, Squidward takes inordinate pleasure in Spongebob’s Christmas being ruined when Santa does not arrive. These are definitely actions of someone who lets their anger get the better of them.
