We already established the basic concept that Thor was the first in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to expand the audience's vision of the universe beyond earth. His home planet is spoken of as a different realm, the inhabitants of which visited earth generations ago, spawning a series of myths, found especially among the Norsemen. As such, he comes to us as one from a mythical land and has the mythic quality of inviting us to ponder whether reality is indeed bigger than we realize. In the process, the entrance of Thor into the movies also begins the process of what seems to be a common theme in how the Marvel Cinematic Universe approaches many of the more mythological or quasi-spiritual components of its stories, namely de-mythologization.
De-Mythologization: This is essentially the process of decoding the "myths" in such a way that seeks to offer a perfectly scientific explanation to what those who sought to explain the inexplicable called a myth. In the process, all myth is reduced to simply things that represent components of reality of which we simply were not yet aware, or did not yet understand, but are nonetheless strictly natural and understandable through the physical sciences. Now, there is an element of truth here, because faith and reason are, in fact, compatible because faith is the relationship with the Creator, who is in fact Reason Himself. Furthermore, just because we are not aware of something, cannot understand it, or furthermore don't believe in it does not mean that is untrue. Reality truly is bigger than we know. But, it does not logically follow that all that is real can necessarily be emperically observed and studied in its totality. Nonetheless, we see how this method of de-mythologization can be used for good or for ill. On one hand, it has been used by some supposed Scripture scholars to attempt to eliminate anything miraculous or basically anything Divine from that glorious and True Myth, the story of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the process, they betray both faith and reason. However, it is actually quite helpful that Marvel did in fact apply the method to the mythology upon which Thor is based, so that the viewer need not accept that Thor is in fact "a god" in the context of the story, thus impacting the whole worldview upon which this many-faceted story is based, even though this will not stop them, in future references, from making endless plays on words with regards to him being "a god". So, the question that remains is how far they will extend this method. Will they actually attempt to de-mythologize everything that the natural sciences cannot actually explain, every myth (real or fantastical) that has ever captivated the human heart?
Thor and The New Adam: This takes us (closer) to the main point. Intentional or not, for better or for worse, there does appear to be a handful of parallels drawn between Thor and Our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the son of the father, who is sent down to earth - it seems, to some degree - to become one of us (in the first Thor movie). His mission to earth culminates with an act of self-sacrifice, which gives way to a sort of resurrection. Upon apparently rising again, he is restored to his full Asgardian strength, manifesting his power. Here we see one of the key differences, which may in fact represent a way in which the Incarnation of Jesus Christ is sometimes misunderstood. Christ did not lose His Divinity, waiting to be restored to it at the Resurrection. He was always fully God and fully man. Meanwhile, the nature of Thor's mission to earth and the apparent change in his nature is left unexplained, but it seems he is neither fully man nor fully Asgardian. This looks like the Incarnation, but it is quite different (besides the fact that he is not God, of course).
The First Adam: Also striking is the difference found in what brings him to earth in the first place. Here, he resembles not so much the New Adam (see Romans 5 or 1 Corinthians 15), Jesus Christ, but the first Adam. In his arrogance and pride, he is tempted and persuaded to defy the father. His disobedience and dishonor to his father result in him falling out of favor for a time and being cast out of Asgard. Yet, there is a theme running through his debut movie that Odin (the father) has a plan to restore what was broken and bring his son home. In this way, we do see some small glimmer of the hope of restoration given in the "Proto-evangelion" (first gospel) in which God, the Father offers the first hint (Genesis 3:15) that there will be an Offspring (Christ) of the woman (Mary) who will crush the head of the serpent (Satan) by accomplishing the work of redemption by His Cross and Resurrection. Ultimately, the first Thor is not as much a story about him coming to earth as a savior as it is about this arrogant, foolish young man learning a lesson of humility, which he will need as king.
A Prodigal Brother?: For me, when it really gets exciting is when his brother, Loki (the deceiver of the first film) comes to earth as a villain in The Avengers. When Thor comes back to earth, it is clear that his mission is not simply to stop his brother, but to bring him home to the Father. Seriously, that scene on the mountain... so good!
Redemption: As the story continues into Thor: The Dark World, we see that he still has not lost hope for the redemption of his brother. Of course, the deceiver still does not stop deceiving, and we see the effects of this as they continue to try to rebuild their relationship in the latest installment, Thor: Ragnarok. On one hand, we see Thor's hope and trust in his brother waning even more. Yet, we also see glimmers that perhaps Loki does still desire some kind of relationship... perhaps he even holds some desire for redemption?
But, before we continue discussing Thor: Ragnarok...
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD
I mean, technically, we've spoiled the other movies already, but let's be honest, if you haven't seen those yet, why are you reading this?
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| If you haven't seen Thor: Ragnarok, you probably don't get this. If you have... just think for a minute. |
Hope and Meaning: Very early on, we see Thor lose nearly all that he holds dear. On one hand, one may think he has every reason to despair. And to be fair, perhaps it more his stubbornness or even his pride, rather than simply hope, that causes him to keep fighting. Yet, his misfortunes bring him into contact with a few key characters in need of having their hope restored. Of course, there is everyone's favorite green smashing machine. And we can see how he does this for Hulk, who doesn't want to return to earth, where he is hated and feared. Yet, perhaps even more striking is his interaction with Valkyrie. She was a great warrior who fought for the same world as Thor. But, her kind were defeated long ago, leaving her the lone survivor. In her stubborn reluctance to go back and fight for Asgard, we see the connection between despair and meaninglessness. Her despair has caused her to cling to a meaningless existence, in which nothing is really worth fighting for... except perhaps for entertainment. And this is part of the insulting nature of the Grandmaster's games. For Thor, battle is not a show (for more on this idea, go here). For him... the struggle is real (sorry, couldn't resist). It was once real for Valkyrie too. Yet, her sense of honor has been disillusioned by defeat. And we see her apparent disinterest in the games. We sense she's a bit disgusted by them, but she's not willing to do anything about it. She'll just keep bringing the Grandmaster contenders as long as she profits and it keeps her liquor cabinet stocked. Until Thor finally is able to restore her sense of purpose and her hope that her home world is worth fighting for... Just in time for that world to be destroyed.
Asgard Is a People: I love this. Besides the surprising nature of the ending, it was the perfect next step for a new direction for the character and the series. (Seriously, don't tell me I'm the only one wondering how it will affect Earth to have all those Agardians running around.) Cap already had his moment of initiating the crumbling of SHIELD, but that was more about destroying something that was far too deeply broken (all the while striving to save the people, who are never too far gone for Cap). But, in its deeper meaning, this looks even more like Tony's ending in Iron Man 3, only it hits much harder and cuts much deeper. Thor was not destroying (or letting the 'big monster' destroy) something because it was broken, but because he had to learn he could live without it. He was missing the point of what it meant for him to king. It wasn't about saving "the world," but about saving the people. This character who has gradually been learning the lesson of humility, which he needed to shepherd and lead his people (which bears some resemblance to Stark already), is now brought to a point in which he steps in to lead under circumstances he likely never would have imagined. It holds some small glimmer of the misunderstanding of the disciples of Christ about the nature of His Kingship. Granted, it would precisely not be their task to destroy anything. Yet, we cannot help but think about Our Lord's prophecy about the destruction of the Temple, and its symbolic connection to the New Temple of God (1 Peter 2), the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), the Church. And of what does this Body consist? It's many members, the people that the King has redeemed, to whom "He gave power to become children of God" (John 1). The Kingdom consists of the people, yet the people would not be a people, if not for the King who alone brings the fulfillment of His own prayer: "that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in me and I in you, that they may also be in us" (John 17). Jesus unites us as a people, in Himself, as members of His Body, in order to bring us home to the Father.
These are just a few of the things I noticed. What have you noticed?
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