Misunderstood mythology of superheroes by Bea
It’s a common knowledge that ”superheroes are modern mythology” – a statement often applied in relation to the genre movies in a popular meaning (fiction). This kind of popular ”mythology” may see itself as ridiculous and not treat itself seriously, because its ultimate goal is escapism and telling an entertaining story. MoS and BvS, however, were never meant to be just entertainment, but modern myths in a narrow, precise sense – as an allegory or ”usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Many critics ridiculed the fact that BvS treats its characters seriously (”it takes itself more seriously than a Best Picture Oscar Winner”), but a myth isn’t a comedy and must treat itself seriously. It’s not a coincidence that a Joseph Campbell’s quote ”where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world” (in Kryptonian) is embeded in Superman’s suit (I know – it’s howlingly pretentious in a comic book movie), and his arc was planned to follow a hero journey in MoS-BvS-JL.
Zack Snyder explained this mythological perspective multiple times in his interviews. He said in the interview with Mark Hughes:
”I really believe this — and I think it’s obvious — I believe superheroes, they’re our modern myths. They’re our mythology in the modern world, and myth is designed to tell us about ourselves […] And I think that’s kind of what our superheroes can do for us, they can help us explain our world a little bit […] And I think that Batman and Superman also in a weird way occupy similar space, that they are the most powerful, iconographic superhero figures, and they occupy a place in all of our collective consciousness. Almost every person in the world at one time or another has said, “I’m Batman!” I believe that that’s a powerful thing. And he absolutely can tell us about ourselves.” (21).
This approach is stupid and pretentious for people who think that superheroes are ridiculous figures for kids, treating it seriously is just ”dumbing up” by taking something stupid and giving it ”a semblance of intelligence and sophistication” , and adults who appreciate it should grow up. There are other people, however, who see this serious approach as natural for these symbolic, mythological, archetypal, iconic fictional characters who had a tremendous impact on pop culture.
In The Power of Myth Joseph Campbell said: “Myth is much more important and true than history. History is just journalism and you know how reliable that is”. Myths are important because their narratives contain fundamental human truths about ourselves and our own nature, portrayed by larger than life characters. They are much more important than we would like to believe today, because our great trust in science makes us easily dismiss mythology as absurd or ridiculous. I’m convinced that the more complex and incomprehensible our world is, the greater need for mythology. ”Myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of the human life” (Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth) and can be a source of inspiration through existential experience. We even create myths from important historical events and they occupy a prominent space in our collective consciousness. It’s like Jan Vansina said:
”History must be curved, for there is a horizon in the affairs of mankind. Beyond this horizon, events pass out of historical consciousness and into myth. Accounts are shortened, complexities sloughed off, analogous figures fused, traditions “abraded into anecdotes”. Real people become culture heroes: archetypical beings performing iconic deeds.” (22).
Myths are important – they offer life models and general guidance that must be appropriate to the time, and can be used as tools to bring about a societal or political change. I think Campbell was right that these most important functions of myths are not adequately provided in modern society, making people susceptible to ideological manipulation. As Campbell stated it: “If you want to change the world, you have to change the metaphor” (The Power of Myth). Some politicians are aware of this fact so they gradually change original myths and create their own versions to make them the stuff of propaganda (with the help of media). Most people, focused on the most urgent problems or life necessities and unused to broader perspective, are completely unaware of the process, falling prey to propaganda.
Joseph Campbell was convinced that artists have the responsibility of re-interpreting traditional myths for contemporary society. Zack Snyder and Chris Terrio understand it – that’s why they have created BvS the way they did – not as a story about Batman and Superman but a full-fledged myth about us, told through these larger than life characters. They did it to make us experience something basic and fundamental (the stuff of myths) that allows us to see the world and ourselves from a new perspective, NOT entertain us for three hours with explosions and jokes. Zack Snyder succeeded perfectly for people who have overcome their bias and ALLOWED him to speak to them through his movie. It’s exactly as Clay Enos said: “Zack Snyder wonderfully hijacked the medium [superhero films] to make significant, moving, perennial statements about our time here on Earth.” Many people answered the call.
I sincerely hope that WB executives will return to the director-driven approach that made the studio so great in the past. I hope they will embrace mythological, symbolic, and archetypal aspects of DC characters. I love them for this reason and prefer them to more ”relatable” heroes, and I know it’s the main aspect that makes them unique and loved by millions – it’s an eighty-year-old legacy that is important all over the world. DCEU needs Zack Snyder. As a director, coordinator, and executive producer, because he has a vision and knowledge but also understands artistic freedom. He would never expect other directors to fit a specific formula because it’s effective and popular (or change movies in post production to fit it). I hope WB executives will return to the meaningful narratives (which doesn’t preclude making some movies just for fun) that can have profound impact on people and create real change. I hope that WB will regain my respect as a studio with social conscience that values art and will not become ”a second-rate everybody else”, but will create a new rule of filmmaking in the genre – NOT sticking to the ”golden standard of superhero movies”.