23. Rama
Indian hero of
Ramayana.
Considered idea man.
Banished from his life
for fourteen years.
Becomes archetypical
hero as he journeys
into unknown. Morally
upright.
28. Indra
Hindu God of storms.
Wields a lightning
bolt. Fights a giant
snake. Like Thor, Indra
has more human
characteristics than
most gods in his
pantheon.
36. Artemis
Greek goddess of the
hunt. Independent,
fierce, athletic,
introverted. Plagued
with regret because
she was responsible
for the death of Orion,
the only one she ever
loved.
43. Lucifer/Satan –
Hebrew fallen angel.
Rebellious, resentful,
desires power.
The Accuser: “Your ledger
is dripping, it's GUSHING
red, and you think saving a
man no more virtuous than
yourself will change
anything? This is the basest
sentimentality. This is a
child at prayer... PATHETIC!
“
44. Freedom
I am Loki, of Asgard. And I am burdened with glorious purpose. Kneel!
Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of humanity,
that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a
mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will
always kneel.
- Not to men like you
There are no men like me
- - There are always men like you
Is it significant that these words were spoken in Germany? What do you think about
this idea that we were made to be ruled? Is there a way to be ruled yet be free?
The Greeks believed that the soul of a criminal would be punished by avengers for violent crimes like murder, even if no one knew who was the murderer. The Furies are the most common avengers. What makes this a modern myth?About the unknown. Elements of myth is that it tries to explain a phenomenon, it speaks to limitations, flaws, strengths and hopes of society and individuals, it considers the idea that there is a realm of existence other than the one we can see, conflict & resolution, archetypical characters. Modern – technology & science; more collaborative & social
One-eyed gods
How do the Avengers eventually become more than the sum of their individual strengths?Do you think this makes the Avengers more or less like ancient myths? Why?
Tesseract. Also called a Cosmic Cube in Marvel Comics. The wielder has power beyond imagination and can travel to other dimensions. Eventually the cube can turn into a sentient being with the personality of the weilder (can be good or evil)In modern mythology, instead of supernatural threats from where does the threat often come? Technology and space aliens.Why do you think that is?In science: a tesseract is a four dimensional hypercube. Scientifically it cannot exist in our three-dimensional space.
Does this look like a machine or a monster? Where have you heard the name Leviathan before? Could personifying technology change the way we process the threat?
Controlled, cautious, shame, regretInternal warfare between man and monster – shame, regret Enkidu (Gilgamesh)Why do you think the second time Bruce Banner turns he can control Hulk? What does it mean that his secret is that he’s always angry. His burden becomes his power- this is a typical theme for heroes but not usually for gods.Which Greek Hero does he remind you of? Hercules – loses control and kills his family or the Jewish mythological Golem, an unformed man made of non-organic materials that arises to protect when angered
Intelligent, gifted, arrogant, hedonistic, funnyHephestus – engineer, builder, self-made, fights for respectOdysseus – scheming, smart, sexy, wealthyNuada – has a silver arm – his injury changes the trajectory of his life, he is no longer eligible to be king of the Tuatha de DanannDionysius – wine, women, partiesWhat’s his beef with Captain America (and he fights Thor) – sort of like the younger generation of gods seeking to overthrow the old Titans vs. Olympians and even in Norse the Aesir (Odin & Company) basically over threw the Vanir with only Freya & Frenyr left in Asgard.
What would you say are Captain America’s strengths? Morally grounded – unselfishness, honor, duty, justice, idealistic, leader, old fashioned – same guy before the suit. Perseus.So does he have a fatal flaw?How do you think his lack of an obvious flaw affect his story? Does it make him less modern as a hero?What did you think of Captain America’s line that there is only one god and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that?
God of thunder, brave, noble, arrogant, archaicMorally grounded and sort of archaic like Captain America.Mythological Thor is more brute less brain.Modern idea – Thor thinks about the implications of bringing his advanced civilization to earth (modern view – science - other planets rather than historical or religious)
Hermes – sees better from up high, inventive, cunning, athletic, uses tools to get things done, messengerApollo – archeryArjuma – battle archer (India)
Unpredictable – shape shifter – works under orders, controlled, analytical, aware of others’ emotions, manipulativeArtemis – fierce, vengeful, hunterBoudicea – Irish queen warriorWhy do you think Black Widow feels the need to atone for the “red in her ledger?”Did this idea of personal atonement remind you of any other stories?
Transforms from trickster to destroyerHardly ever actually fights, makes suggestions that create chaosWhat do you think about his statement “I come with glad tidings of a world made free. Freedom is life's great lie. Once you accept that, in your heart... Compare that to Christ’s statement He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives. Luke 4:18What would you say are his fatal flaws? Bitterness, jealousy, angerDoes what he’s trying to do to earth remind you of anything from Norse mythology? Ragnarok.
taboos, rules, regulations, social norms, or boundaries
Is it significant that these words were spoken in Germany? What do you think about this idea that we were made to be ruled? Is there a way to be ruled yet be free?