HEROISM IN THE MATRIX: An interpretation of Neo’s heroism through the philosophies of Nietzsche and Chesterton By DUNCAN BRUCE REYBURN A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister Artium (Visual Studies) in the FACULTY OF HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA PRETORIA Supervisor: Prof. J van Eeden Co-supervisor: Ms S Viljoen April 2007 DECLARATION Student number: 20149060 I declare that Heroism in the Matrix: An interpretation of Neo’s heroism through the philosophies of Nietzsche and Chesterton is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ________________________ Duncan Reyburn 25 April 2007 iii “If there had been no real heroes imaginary ones would have been created, for men cannot live without them.” – Hamilton Wright Mabie (1903:1) iv SUMMARY AND KEY TERMS This study explores the representation of the hero in Lawrence and Andrew Wachowski’s Matrix film trilogy, which comprises The Matrix (Wachowski, Wachowski & Silver 1999), Matrix Reloaded (Wachowski, Wachowski & Silver 2003a) and The Matrix Revolutions (Wachowski, Wachowski & Silver 2003b). Special reference is made to how Neo embodies a postmodern view of heroism. This implies an exploration into the relationship between Neo, the protagonist and hero in the Matrix trilogy, and his mythological predecessors, as well as the relationship between the representation of Neo and ideas concerning heroism. In order to further understand the nature of heroism in the Matrix trilogy, the ideas of two philosophers, namely Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) and Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936), are explored and compared. It is argued in this study that the heroism presented to the viewer by the Matrix trilogy can be interpreted as being representative of the meeting of the apparently contradictory ideas of these two philosophers. Both of these philosophers, though striving for a heroic ideal, arrived at vastly different conclusions. This study, whilst considering the nature of heroism in these two views, also seeks offer an examination of the relationship that Nietzsche’s and Chesterton’s writings have to one another. This examination is not an attempt to take sides with either of these philosophers, but merely to point out certain aspects of their two distinctive viewpoints as they relate to the films in question. This study especially seeks to investigate the claim that Neo is the embodiment of the Übermensch, the figure that most clearly resembles Nietzsche’s heroic ideal. Chesterton’s views of heroism are referred to in order to counter-balance and contextualise Nietzsche’s views on this. Mainly ethical aspects of the character and narrative of the hero are focused on in this study in order to show, firstly, that these more abstract aspects are implicit in the representation of the hero in the Matrix trilogy, and secondly, that the hero belongs to a moral taxonomy. The final aim of this study is to present a coherent view of the many facets of heroism that incorporates an assessment of how philosophy, ideology and semiology underpin the visual. v Key terms: Chesterton, GK; eternal return; eternal revolution; heroic journey; heroism; The Matrix; The Matrix Reloaded; The Matrix Revolutions; Monomyth; Nietzsche, Friedrich; perspectivism; soteriology; Übermensch (Superman); Visual Culture; Wachowski brothers; will to power. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DEDICATION • The financial assistance of the University of Pretoria towards this research is herby acknowledged. Opinions expressing in this dissertation and conclusions arrived at are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the University of Pretoria. I could never come close to expressing the gratitude I feel to the following people: • My parents, Lindsay and Yvonne, whose unceasing love and support – found frequently in the form of wisdom, hugs, tea and food – have made me realise what a meaningful, happy life is all about. Impossibly huge thanks especially for giving me a place to stay and work on this dissertation. • Jeanne van Eeden and Stella Viljoen. I honestly couldn’t have asked for better supervisors. I’ve enjoyed this study immensely, and I know that a huge part of that enjoyment has come from your practical guidance and constant encouragement. • Vincent Geldenhuis, fellow student and friend. Thank you for challenging my assumptions. • Claire Nieuwoudt. Words fail me. • Allan Donkin, Derek Gardiner, James Hood, Michael Loubser, and Rodney Sloan. Thank you all for your friendship. Thank you for standing by me through some severe trials in what has turned out to be the most profoundly illuminating time in my life. You have proven that a light really can overcome the darkness. • Carolyn Arends, Rich Mullins and Philip Yancey. You praised Chesterton so highly in your writings that I had to find out what the fuss was all about. And then this happened. I would like to dedicate this dissertation to the following people: • Dad, Mom, Heather, Murray and Dalene. You have all shown me the true meaning of heroism. • My Claire. You have allowed me to experience what a permanent state of levitation is like. I love being up here with you. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration........................................................................................................... iii Summary and key terms ....................................................................................... v Acknowledgments and dedication ........................................................................ vii List of figures....................................................................................................... ix List of appendices ................................................................................................ x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION........................................................... 1 1.1 Background and aims of study........................................................ 1 1.2 Literature review ............................................................................ 7 1.3 Theoretical framework and methodology........................................ 11 1.4 Overview of chapters...................................................................... 13 CHAPTER TWO: NIETZSCHE AND CHESTERTON: AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR KEY IDEAS ...................................................................................... 15 2.1 A brief overview of Nietzsche’s philosophy.................................... 15 2.1.1 The Übermensch and the will to power................................... 18 2.1.2 Perspectivism......................................................................... 23 2.1.3 The Dionysian/Apollonian opposition .................................... 24 2.2 A brief overview of Chesterton’s philosophy .................................. 26 CHAPTER THREE: THE BIRTH OF THE HERO ............................................ 38 3.1 The birth of the hero in mythology and in The Matrix ..................... 39 3.2 The heroic choice according to Nietzsche ....................................... 48 3.3 The heroic choice according to Chesterton ..................................... 56 CHAPTER FOUR: THE LIFE OF THE HERO................................................ 69 4.1 Limitation and levitation................................................................. 69 4.2 Nietzsche: masks and mirrors ......................................................... 86 4.3 Chesterton: man and machines........................................................ 96 CHAPTER FIVE: THE DEATH OF THE HERO........................................... 106 5.1 The death of the hero in mythology and in the Matrix ..................... 106 5.2 Nietzsche and the eternal return ..................................................... 119 5.3 Chesterton and the eternal revolution.............................................. 127 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION ................................................................. 135 6.1 Summary of chapters ...................................................................... 135 6.2 Contribution of the study ................................................................ 139 6.3 Limitations of the study and suggestions for further research .......... 140 6.4 Concluding remarks........................................................................ 141 APPENDIX 1 ...................................................................................................... 144 APPENDIX 2 ...................................................................................................... 150 SOURCES CONSULTED.................................................................................... 152 viii LIST OF FIGURES Unless otherwise indicated, all images in this dissertation are screen-captures taken from the Matrix trilogy (Wachowski, Wachowski & Silver 1999; 2003a & 2003b) Figure 1: An example of postmodern eclecticism in The Matrix Reloaded, 2003........................................................................................... 1 Figure 2: Metacortex Information Technology building, in The Matrix, 1999... 43 Figure 3: A generic cubicle office at Metacortex, in The Matrix, 1999 ............. 44 Figure 4: A choice between a red pill and a blue pill, in The Matrix, 1999........ 51 Figure 5: The office space in The Matrix, 1999 ................................................ 61 Figure 6: Jeremy Bentham’s ([sa]) blueprint for the Panopticon, 1791 ............. 62 Figure