Oswald Mandus is the protagonist and the character you control throughout Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs. He is a wealthy industrialist and butcher living in London in 1899, known for his vast meat-processing empire. The game begins with him awakening from a feverish dream, disoriented and suffering from amnesia, haunted by the cries of his children.
Background: Mandus is a complex and deeply troubled individual. He is a visionary, but his vision is tainted by a profound disillusionment with humanity and a desire for a 'cleaner' world. He is a widower, having lost his wife, and is deeply devoted to his two sons, Edwin and Enoch. However, his grief and his philosophical convictions have driven him to extreme measures. He is a man of science and industry, but also one grappling with profound moral and existential questions.
Role in the Story: As the player, you experience the world through Mandus's eyes, piecing together his fragmented memories and uncovering the horrifying truth about his 'Machine'. His internal monologue, often delivered through phonograph recordings and his own thoughts, reveals his descent into madness and the twisted logic behind his actions. He is both a victim of his own fevered mind and the architect of unspeakable horrors. His journey is one of self-discovery, albeit a terrifying one, as he confronts the consequences of his ambition and his desperate attempts to 'save' humanity.
Psychological Profile: Mandus is characterized by his intellectual arrogance, his deep-seated anxieties about the future of mankind, and a profound sense of guilt. He believes he is acting for the greater good, even as his actions become increasingly monstrous. His fever and amnesia serve as a narrative device to slowly reveal his true nature and the extent of his involvement in the atrocities of the Machine.