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Gods in Spandex: A Study of Superhero Mythology Ryan Woods This is a digitised version of a dissertation submitted to the University of Bedfordshire. It is available to view only. This item is subject to copyright. GODS in SPANDEX: A STUDY of SUPERHERO MYTHOLOGY Ryan Woods A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts by Research University of Bedfordshire Research Institute for Media, Arts and Performance Submitted: February 2020 Table of Contents Author Declaration .......................................................................................................................................ii Abstract .........................................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... iv Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................v Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. xi Literature Review ....................................................................................................................................... xix Chapter One ................................................................................................................................................. 1 Archetypal Theory .................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter Two ................................................................................................................................................18 The Outer and Inner Journey of the Superhero................................................................................18 Chapter Three..............................................................................................................................................34 Superhero Psychology .........................................................................................................................34 Chapter Four ...............................................................................................................................................52 A Psychological and Mythological Analysis .....................................................................................52 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................73 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................76 i Author Declaration I, Ryan Woods declare that this thesis and the work Presented in it are my own and has been generated by me as the result of my own original research. I confirm that: • This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; • Where any Part of this thesis has Previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; • Where I have drawn on or cited the Published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; • Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the excePtion of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; • I have acknowledged all main sources of helP; • Where the thesis or any Part of it is based on work done by myself jointly with others, I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself; • None of this work has been Published before submission. ii Abstract This thesis sets out to ask the question: What do mythological themes and archetyPal theory reveal about Marvel’s Avengers films? The textual analyses will discuss the work of Pioneering Psychologist Carl Jung. The work of mythologist JosePh CamPbell and the hero’s journey will also be scrutinised for his links to Jung’s theoretical framework. Through Jung’s theory of archetypes and the collective unconscious, arguments will be made to the relevance of his theories as a valid form of film analysis. An argument will also be made for the heroine’s journey and how this differs from the male hero’s journey. Jungian film studies is an increasing growing area of academic interest. (Hockley, 2018). Current research covers many aspects of film analysis but there is a gaP within the study of the suPerhero genre. This thesis sets out to bridge that gaP through the use of Jungian Psychology and the aPPlication of mythological motifs. Through structured case studies and parallels drawn from world mythology this work makes a strong case for the rich Psychological and mythological material found in Marvel films. iii Acknowledgements I would like to offer many thanks to my suPervisor Prof. Luke Hockley. Your suPPort and guidance through my studies has been greatly aPPreciated. Further thanks to my second suPervisor Dr. Elena Caoduro for her active voice, feedback and suPPort through my research. To my Partner Angela. Thank you for your endless suPPort and love through my studies. You will always be my favourite suPerhero! iv Introduction This thesis investigates the imPact of mythological themes and archetypal theory as they relate to Marvel’s Avengers films. In doing do it will ask: What do mythological themes and archetypal theory reveal about Marvel’s Avengers films? The argument will draw on two related but distinct writers on mythology. First JosePh CamPbell and the mythological links he discovered regarding the hero’s journey and secondly Carl Jung’s archetypal theory and its use of mythology as a way to amPlify narrative themes and images. Through textual analysis this thesis will ProPose connections between the Psychological and mythological of both the characters and themes in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). Two films in Particular will be used, Avengers: Assemble (Dir: Whedon, 2012) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (Dir: Whedon, 2015). Throughout reference will be made to other Marvel films and television Programmes as a means to develoP the argument and to strengthen the overall analysis. As mentioned, Jung and in Particular archetyPal theory and the collective unconscious Provide a different but cognate look at world mythology to CamPbell. Through the course of this thesis, connections will be made between Jung’s theory of archetyPes and CamPbell’s writing on the function of myth for the individual. Jung saw myths as stories of archetypal encounters and a means to understand Personal comPlexes within his Patients. By subscribing to Jung’s suggestion of modern man as myth-maker and how he re-enacts archetypal themes through stories this thesis will build on these concePts by analysing the Avengers films. This will lead to an exploration of how Avengers Assemble and Age of Ultron resonate thematically in ways which reflect an understanding of the human Psyche as suggested by the Jungian theorist Samuels et al (1986). The strength of the aPProach derived from CamPbell’s and Jung’s theoretical standPoints will maP out and establish the v ProPosition that cinema goers engage with archetypal encounters seen through mythic cinematic Projections. The Psychological develoPment of the characters will be explored by using the ideas set out in CamPbell’s 1949 book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and the hero’s journey itself Provides an illuminating theoretical framework for the exploration of these themes through textual analysis. The hero’s journey in its basic structural form consists of a hero starting an adventure, encountering crisis and overcoming that crisis before becoming victorious. This basic structural Pattern is also known as the ‘monomyth’, (Joyce, P. 39, 1939). CamPbell suggested that myths from around the world share this common structure and form. DePloying CamPbell’s work on the hero’s journey this research will investigate his inverted meaning of myth as metaPhor (Myers, 2017) and establish connections to Marvel’s Avengers films. As CamPbell (1949) suggested, the monomyth has thrived and been a Point of inspiration to cultures around the world in an attemPt to understand ourselves. The Marvel films are one of its recent incarnations. The MCU is Produced by Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios. Between 2008-2011 it was distributed by Universal and Paramount, and after Disney acquired the Marvel comPanies in 2016 the titles were co-produced with Sony Pictures (Clark, 2009). The franchise is structured to introduce the audience to the key characters in the films and also to the larger MCU. This wider MCU also includes media bubbles that are not for cinematic release, including television series such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Dir: Bochco et al, 2013-19) created by Joss and Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen which was Produced for ABC. There are also numerous Netflix series such as Daredevil (Dir: Abraham et al, 2015-16), Jessica Jones (Dir: Clarkson et al, 2015-18), Luke Cage (Dir: Abraham et al, 2016-18) Iron Fist (Dir: Dahl et al, 2017-18) The Punisher (Dir: Shankland et al, 2017- 2019) and The Defenders (Dir: Clarkson et al, 2017). This exPanded media integration extends to the accomPanying
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