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{{examples}}
{{examples}}
== Anime and Manga ==
== [[Anime]] and [[Manga]] ==
* In ''[[Death Note]]'', Light Yagami believes himself a god who brings his own form of justice to the world by killing criminals with a supernatural notebook (all thoughts that concern this usually being accompanied by [[Glowing Eyes of Doom]] in the anime). He proclaims his godhood ''in the first episode'' and is generally consistent in this. It's like an [[Action Prologue]]. Eventually, people also start worshipping him as one too, especially Teru Mikami, who always calls him "God". Near eventually [[Shut UP, Hannibal|calls him out]] on this:
* In ''[[Death Note]]'', Light Yagami believes himself a god who brings his own form of justice to the world by killing criminals with a supernatural notebook (all thoughts that concern this usually being accompanied by [[Glowing Eyes of Doom]] in the anime). He proclaims his godhood ''in the first episode'' and is generally consistent in this. It's like an [[Action Prologue]]. Eventually, people also start worshipping him as one too, especially Teru Mikami, who always calls him "God". Near eventually [[Shut UP, Hannibal|calls him out]] on this:
{{quote|''"You yielded to the power of the shinigami and the notebook and confused yourself with a god."''<ref>A similar line is found in the earlier anime, ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]''.</ref>}}
{{quote|''"You yielded to the power of the shinigami and the notebook and confused yourself with a god."''<ref>A similar line is found in the earlier anime, ''[[Bubblegum Crisis]]''.</ref>}}
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* {{spoiler|Zeus}} in ''[[King of Thorn]]'', who manipulated the Medusa in {{spoiler|Shizuku}}, and gave himself some nifty abilities in the process. {{spoiler|He also orchestrated a lot of things in the plot}}, and is [[Giggling Villain|a giggling]] [[Complete Monster|asshat]].
* {{spoiler|Zeus}} in ''[[King of Thorn]]'', who manipulated the Medusa in {{spoiler|Shizuku}}, and gave himself some nifty abilities in the process. {{spoiler|He also orchestrated a lot of things in the plot}}, and is [[Giggling Villain|a giggling]] [[Complete Monster|asshat]].


== Comic Books ==
== [[Comic Books]] ==
* Explored in ''[[Doctor Solar|Solar Man of the Atom]]''.
* Explored in ''[[Doctor Solar|Solar Man of the Atom]]''.
* This is common in [[Superhero]] comics, as [[With Great Power Comes Great Insanity]]. Perhaps the single best-known example is Jean Grey of the [[X-Men (Comic Book)|X-Men]], who, as Dark Phoenix, goes to star-eating levels before committing suicide. (Though later [[retcon]]s serve to [[Continuity Snarl|confuse the issue]].) [[Doctor Doom]] is also a frequent offender.
* This is common in [[Superhero]] comics, as [[With Great Power Comes Great Insanity]]. Perhaps the single best-known example is Jean Grey of the [[X-Men (Comic Book)|X-Men]], who, as Dark Phoenix, goes to star-eating levels before committing suicide. (Though later [[retcon]]s serve to [[Continuity Snarl|confuse the issue]].) [[Doctor Doom]] is also a frequent offender.
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* Two words. [[Reality Warper|Emperor]]. [[The Joker|Joker]].
* Two words. [[Reality Warper|Emperor]]. [[The Joker|Joker]].


== Fan Works ==
== [[Fan Works]] ==
* ''[[Thousand Shinji]]'' ends with {{spoiler|Shinji, Asuka, Rei and Misato ascending to becoming the new Chaos gods}}, leading after a [[Time Skip]] into ''[[The Open Door]]''.
* ''[[Thousand Shinji]]'' ends with {{spoiler|Shinji, Asuka, Rei and Misato ascending to becoming the new Chaos gods}}, leading after a [[Time Skip]] into ''[[The Open Door]]''.
* ''Until the End of Time'': [[Dragonball Z|Super Saiyan]] [[Those Wacky Nazis|Hitler]]. Complete with a [[Shout-Out]] to the ''[[Street Fighter (film)|Street Fighter]]'' movie.
* ''Until the End of Time'': [[Dragonball Z|Super Saiyan]] [[Those Wacky Nazis|Hitler]]. Complete with a [[Shout-Out]] to the ''[[Street Fighter (film)|Street Fighter]]'' movie.
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* ''[[Ponies Make War]]'': Ignoring the fact that most of the main villains and one of the protagonists are ''actual'' gods, the story ultimately has a subversion of this trope in the case of {{spoiler|Twilight Sparkle. After tapping into the full power of the Elements of Harmony, she becomes a [[Physical God]] so powerful that only [[Big Bad|Titan]] himself is able to knock her down -- and she is ''horrified'' by it, deciding that ''nopony'' should have that much power.}}
* ''[[Ponies Make War]]'': Ignoring the fact that most of the main villains and one of the protagonists are ''actual'' gods, the story ultimately has a subversion of this trope in the case of {{spoiler|Twilight Sparkle. After tapping into the full power of the Elements of Harmony, she becomes a [[Physical God]] so powerful that only [[Big Bad|Titan]] himself is able to knock her down -- and she is ''horrified'' by it, deciding that ''nopony'' should have that much power.}}


== Films -- Live-Action ==
== [[Film]] ==
* ''[[The Man Who Would Be King]]'' is practically the [[Trope Codifier]].
* ''[[The Man Who Would Be King]]'' is practically the [[Trope Codifier]].
* In ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'', the Train Man is a [[Physical God]] while in his subway:
* In ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'', the Train Man is a [[Physical God]] while in his subway:
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'''Train Man:''' ''*punches Neo into the back wall*''
'''Train Man:''' ''*punches Neo into the back wall*''
'''Train Man:''' "Down here[[Beat|.]][[Dramatic Ellipsis|..]] I'm God. }}
'''Train Man:''' "Down here[[Beat|.]][[Dramatic Ellipsis|..]] I'm God. }}
* ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)]]'' (1931): [[Ur Example|One of the earliest examples]]. After Henry's famous [[Large Ham|"It's alliiive!"]], when he goes on to say [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c "Now I know what it feels like to be God!"] Originally, that part of the line was cut because the censors said it was blasphemous (which it is). It was cut off by a thunderbolt; the full line wasn't restored until ''1999'', 12 years after most of the other excised scenes were restored in full.
* ''[[Frankenstein (1931 film)|Frankenstein]]'' (1931): [[Ur Example|One of the earliest examples]]. After Henry's famous [[Large Ham|"It's alliiive!"]], when he goes on to say [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xos2MnVxe-c "Now I know what it feels like to be God!"] Originally, that part of the line was cut because the censors said it was blasphemous (which it is). It was cut off by a thunderbolt; the full line wasn't restored until ''1999'', 12 years after most of the other excised scenes were restored in full.
* ''[[Batman Forever]]'': Neatly subverted, as The Riddler makes a deep dark speech involving the titular line, finished with a [[Power Echoes|deep, echoing invocation]] of "I", then asks, "[[Large Ham|Was that over the top? I can never tell!]]"
* ''[[Batman Forever]]'': Neatly subverted, as The Riddler makes a deep dark speech involving the titular line, finished with a [[Power Echoes|deep, echoing invocation]] of "I", then asks, "[[Large Ham|Was that over the top? I can never tell!]]"
* ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'': Jafar does a textbook example of the rundown of this trope, wishing to become an all-powerful genie. In his following exultations, he mentions how the universe is now his to control, even going so far as to create a small solar system between his hands just for the hell of it. This is until Aladdin reminds him what the other half of "phenomenal cosmic power" is... "itty bitty living space".
* ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]'': Jafar does a textbook example of the rundown of this trope, wishing to become an all-powerful genie. In his following exultations, he mentions how the universe is now his to control, even going so far as to create a small solar system between his hands just for the hell of it. This is until Aladdin reminds him what the other half of "phenomenal cosmic power" is... "itty bitty living space".
* Skeletor has one of these speeches at the climax of the ''[[Masters of the Universe (film)|Masters of the Universe]]'' live-action movie, right down to the line "I am a god!"
* Skeletor has one of these speeches at the climax of the ''[[Masters of the Universe (film)|Masters of the Universe]]'' live-action movie, right down to the line "I am a god!"
* ''[[The Lawnmower Man]]'' (has [[In Name Only|nothing but the title in common]] with the [[Stephen King]] short story), where Jobe declares his intention to be the "Cyberchrist." His defining line (referring to [[Cyberspace]]): "[[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|I am God here!]]"
* ''[[The Lawnmower Man]]'' (has [[In Name Only|nothing but the title in common]] with the [[Stephen King]] short story), where Jobe declares his intention to be the "Cyberchrist." His defining line (referring to [[Cyberspace]]): "[[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|I am God here!]]"
* ''[[Groundhog Day]]''. After reliving the same day over and over again, and attempting suicide in a vast number of different ways, Phill eventually concludes that he's God, then tentatively adds, "Not ''the'' God. Just ''a'' god." Lampshaded by the character himself when he explains logically ''why'' he's come to this conclusion.
* ''[[Groundhog Day]]''. After reliving the same day over and over again, and attempting suicide in a vast number of different ways, Phil eventually concludes that he's God, then tentatively adds, "Not ''the'' God. Just ''a'' god." Lampshaded by the character himself when he explains logically ''why'' he's come to this conclusion.
* ''[[Street Fighter (film)|Street Fighter]]'': At the climax, [[Raul Julia|Bison]] (now mad with power) delivers the following line as he goes [[One-Winged Angel]] on [[Jean-Claude Van Damme|Guile]].
* ''[[Street Fighter (film)|Street Fighter]]'': At the climax, [[Raul Julia|Bison]] (now mad with power) delivers the following line as he goes [[One-Winged Angel]] on [[Jean-Claude Van Damme|Guile]].
{{quote|"Something wrong, Colonel?? You came here expecting to fight a madman, and instead you find [[Large Ham|a god]]?}}
{{quote|"Something wrong, Colonel?? You came here expecting to fight a madman, and instead you find [[Large Ham|a god]]?}}
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{{quote|''"For the crime of being human, when we could have been gods! Guilty"''.}}
{{quote|''"For the crime of being human, when we could have been gods! Guilty"''.}}
* Loki invokes this in ''[[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]]'' (in fairness, he ''is'' a Norse god, but in the Marvelverse the Norse gods were [[Sufficiently Advanced Aliens]].) [[Incredible Hulk|Hulk]] [[Curb Stomp Battle|disagrees.]]
* Loki invokes this in ''[[The Avengers (film)|The Avengers]]'' (in fairness, he ''is'' a Norse god, but in the Marvelverse the Norse gods were [[Sufficiently Advanced Aliens]].) [[Incredible Hulk|Hulk]] [[Curb Stomp Battle|disagrees.]]
{{quote|'''Hulk:''' ''"Puny god."''}}
{{quote|'''Hulk:''' ''Puny god.''}}
* Divine from ''[[Pink Flamingos]]''. When asked if she believes in God, she replies "I ''am'' God!"
* Divine from ''[[Pink Flamingos]]''. When asked if she believes in God, she replies "I ''am'' God!"


== [[Literature]] ==

== Folklore ==
* In a Low German folktale collected by [[The Brothers Grimm (creator)|The Brothers Grimm]], "The Fisherman and His Wife", the eponymous lady, having been made successively King, Emperor, and Pope by a magic flounder, demands to be made equal to God. The couple end up as they began, living "in piety" (a phrase used to mean "in poverty" at the time of the writing).
** The equivalent Russian tale, as recorded and remade as a poem by [[Alexander Pushkin]], doesn't have the wife want to be the big-G God. Here she wants merely to be "the lady of the seas", something like a small-g goddess. The fish nevertheless gets pissed off, probably because that's what is the fish herself.


== Literature ==
* Issus in ''[[John Carter of Mars|The Gods of Mars]]''. Almost universally worshipped as a goddess by all the Martian races, {{spoiler|but actually just a manipulative old Black Martian crone with delusions of grandeur.}}
* Issus in ''[[John Carter of Mars|The Gods of Mars]]''. Almost universally worshipped as a goddess by all the Martian races, {{spoiler|but actually just a manipulative old Black Martian crone with delusions of grandeur.}}
* The Authority in ''[[His Dark Materials]]'', who is actually the oldest angel.
* The Authority in ''[[His Dark Materials]]'', who is actually the oldest angel.
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* [[Orson Scott Card]]'s ''Homecoming'' series: The Keeper of Earth is never outright stated to be God (or even Gaia), but with the stunts She (as The Keeper is usually called) pulls off (sending an image of Nafai's face to a Digger girl 1,000 years before he was born, chasing the bulk of humanity off with a spontaneous Ice Age), She might as well be.
* [[Orson Scott Card]]'s ''Homecoming'' series: The Keeper of Earth is never outright stated to be God (or even Gaia), but with the stunts She (as The Keeper is usually called) pulls off (sending an image of Nafai's face to a Digger girl 1,000 years before he was born, chasing the bulk of humanity off with a spontaneous Ice Age), She might as well be.
* [[Simon R. Green]]'s ''[[Deathstalker]]'' series, in many cases - though the most notable one involves a [[Stable Time Loop]] combined with a HUGE [[Ass Pull]] at the very end of the Owen-centric series.
* [[Simon R. Green]]'s ''[[Deathstalker]]'' series, in many cases - though the most notable one involves a [[Stable Time Loop]] combined with a HUGE [[Ass Pull]] at the very end of the Owen-centric series.
** If you want a webcomic approximation of this, check out ''[[Bob and George]].''
** If you want a web comic approximation of this, check out ''[[Bob and George]].''
* Frank Herbert's ''[[Dune]]'', the protagonist, Paul Atreides becomes the [[Messianic Archetype|Kwisatz Haderach]], the universe's [[Ubermensch|super being]]. His consciousness can be in many places at once and can see things before they happen. He is worshipped as a messiah and god.
* Frank Herbert's ''[[Dune]]'', the protagonist, Paul Atreides becomes the [[Messianic Archetype|Kwisatz Haderach]], the universe's [[Ubermensch|super being]]. His consciousness can be in many places at once and can see things before they happen. He is worshipped as a messiah and god.
** An important point that [[The Film of the Book]] apparently missed: Paul is not a god (the limitations of his power are repeatedly shown), and doesn't consider himself so. He is a man playing on superstitions to appear as a god to his followers.
** An important point that [[The Film of the Book]] apparently missed: Paul is not a god (the limitations of his power are repeatedly shown), and doesn't consider himself so. He is a man playing on superstitions to appear as a god to his followers.
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* Twisted by {{spoiler|Elof}} in Michael Scott Rohan's ''The Winter of the World'' trilogy: he '''doesn't''' become a god, he realizes at the climax, and [[God Was My Co-Pilot|reveals to his closest friends]] at the end, that {{spoiler|he '''was''' a god who put aside his divine power, [[Memory Gambit|and the memories that went with it]], in the hopes that being a mortal man (although a high-powered mage-smith) would help him understand humanity}}. It did, sort of. Then he vanishes.
* Twisted by {{spoiler|Elof}} in Michael Scott Rohan's ''The Winter of the World'' trilogy: he '''doesn't''' become a god, he realizes at the climax, and [[God Was My Co-Pilot|reveals to his closest friends]] at the end, that {{spoiler|he '''was''' a god who put aside his divine power, [[Memory Gambit|and the memories that went with it]], in the hopes that being a mortal man (although a high-powered mage-smith) would help him understand humanity}}. It did, sort of. Then he vanishes.


== [[Live-Action TV]] ==

== Live Action TV ==

* Gary Mitchell in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
* Gary Mitchell in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
** In the episode "Return to Tomorrow", [[Energy Beings|Sargon]] explains that his civilization destroyed itself when it became so advanced and arrogant that "we dared think of ourselves as gods".
** In the episode "Return to Tomorrow", [[Energy Beings|Sargon]] explains that his civilization destroyed itself when it became so advanced and arrogant that "we dared think of ourselves as gods".
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* In one episode of the ''[[Twilight Zone]]'', a pair of space-farers found themselves stranded on an apparently desolate planet. One of these men found a civilization of microscopic people, and quickly set himself up as their god. Though his fellow tried to talk him out of it, the newly deified pilot decided to stay as the god of these tiny people. This being the ''[[Twilight Zone]]'', [[It Got Worse|things went south quickly for him]].
* In one episode of the ''[[Twilight Zone]]'', a pair of space-farers found themselves stranded on an apparently desolate planet. One of these men found a civilization of microscopic people, and quickly set himself up as their god. Though his fellow tried to talk him out of it, the newly deified pilot decided to stay as the god of these tiny people. This being the ''[[Twilight Zone]]'', [[It Got Worse|things went south quickly for him]].
** Craig's boast, "'''I'M THE GOD! I'M THE GOD!'''" became a catchphrase on ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
** Craig's boast, "'''I'M THE GOD! I'M THE GOD!'''" became a catchphrase on ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
* There was an episode of ''[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World|Sir Arthur Conan Doyles the Lost World]]'' where the character Challenger gains omnipotence. He quickly demands that everyone worship him, acts bored when confronted with his friends' problems, and generally acts like a [[Jerkass]]. He changes his tune with two of his friends get killed, and finds that he can't bring the dead back to life, [[Tear Jerker|crying and screaming that he's sorry and that he will give up anything to have them back]]. {{spoiler|It was [[All Just a Dream]]}}
* There was an episode of ''[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World]]'' where the character Challenger gains omnipotence. He quickly demands that everyone worship him, acts bored when confronted with his friends' problems, and generally acts like a [[Jerkass]]. He changes his tune with two of his friends get killed, and finds that he can't bring the dead back to life, [[Tear Jerker|crying and screaming that he's sorry and that he will give up anything to have them back]]. {{spoiler|It was [[All Just a Dream]]}}
* ''[[Boss]]'': The villain in episode 2.
* ''[[Boss]]'': The villain in episode 2.
* In the ''[[Coupling]]'' episode "Faithless", Jane learns that James, who she's attracted to, hosts a religion program. In the course of [[Digging Herself Deeper]], she comes out with:
* In the ''[[Coupling]]'' episode "Faithless", Jane learns that James, who she's attracted to, hosts a religion program. In the course of [[Digging Herself Deeper]], she comes out with:
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* One episode of '70s show ''Search'' had a millionaire with a grudge kidnap that episode's main character Nick Bianco to an island he'd set up as a [[Death Course]]. While the bad guy is explaining how [[Hunting the Most Dangerous Game|he's going to take his time about killing Bianco]], and there's no escape because he's modified Nick's [[Comm Links|communications implant]] so he can use it to monitor Bianco anywhere he goes, Nick says sarcastically, "Oh, I get it. You're God!" The millionaire smiles calmly and replies, "On this island, I am."
* One episode of '70s show ''Search'' had a millionaire with a grudge kidnap that episode's main character Nick Bianco to an island he'd set up as a [[Death Course]]. While the bad guy is explaining how [[Hunting the Most Dangerous Game|he's going to take his time about killing Bianco]], and there's no escape because he's modified Nick's [[Comm Links|communications implant]] so he can use it to monitor Bianco anywhere he goes, Nick says sarcastically, "Oh, I get it. You're God!" The millionaire smiles calmly and replies, "On this island, I am."


== [[Music]] ==

== Music ==

* In the [[Queen]] song [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1j-6vRykFs "The Seven Seas of Rhye"], the lyrics are essentially Freddie Mercury stating this.
* In the [[Queen]] song [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1j-6vRykFs "The Seven Seas of Rhye"], the lyrics are essentially Freddie Mercury stating this.
** "Princes of the Universe" too:
** "Princes of the Universe" too:
{{quote|"I am immortal,
{{quote|''I am immortal,
I have inside me blood of kings!
''I have inside me blood of kings!
I have no rival
''I have no rival
No man can be my equal!" }}
''No man can be my equal! }}
*** "Princes of the Universe" was written specifically for the ''[[Highlander]]'' movie, so it's fitting.
*** "Princes of the Universe" was written specifically for the ''[[Highlander]]'' movie, so it's fitting.
* Jay-Z's nickname Hova/Hov comes from Jehovah, a name for God in the Hebrew Scriptures.
* Jay-Z's nickname Hova/Hov comes from Jehovah, a name for God in the Hebrew Scriptures.
** Rakim was calling himself (and being called by others) God long before him. Canibus also claimed that the fact that he wasn't worshiped seemed absurd to him.
** Rakim was calling himself (and being called by others) God long before him. Canibus also claimed that the fact that he wasn't worshiped seemed absurd to him.
* In [[The Who]]'s ''[[Tommy]]'', the title character doesn't so much believe he's God as believe that he's the Messiah, and the trope is subverted in that {{spoiler|his followers ultimately reject him}}, but "Sensation" contains the following lyrics:
* In [[The Who]]'s ''[[Tommy]]'', the title character doesn't so much believe he's God as believe that he's the Messiah, and the trope is subverted in that {{spoiler|his followers ultimately reject him}}, but "Sensation" contains the following lyrics:
{{quote|"I leave a trail of rooted people
{{quote|''I leave a trail of rooted people
Mesmerized by just the sight,
''Mesmerized by just the sight,
The few I touched now are disciples
''The few I touched now are disciples
Love as One
''Love as One
I am the Light ?" }}
''I am the Light?}}
* ''[http://brazilian-songs-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/raul-seixas-gita.html Gita]'' by Brazilian rock star Raul Seixas:
* ''[http://brazilian-songs-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/raul-seixas-gita.html Gita]'' by Brazilian rock star Raul Seixas:
{{quote|"I am the bitter taste on the tongue
{{quote|''I am the bitter taste on the tongue
The mother, the father and the grandfather
''The mother, the father and the grandfather
The son who's yet to come
''The son who's yet to come
The beginning, the end and the middle
''The beginning, the end and the middle
I am the beginning, the end and the middle" }}
''I am the beginning, the end and the middle}}
* "Experiments in Mass Appeal" by Frost*:
* "Experiments in Mass Appeal" by Frost*:
{{quote|Forever, immortally
{{quote|''Forever, immortally
Endeavor, a god I'll be
''Endeavor, a god I'll be
Remember reality
''Remember reality
Forever, immortally }}
''Forever, immortally }}
* Glinda and Elphaba call ''each other'' out in this in "Defying Gravity":
* Glinda and Elphaba call ''each other'' out in this in "Defying Gravity":
{{quote|ELPHABA:
{{quote|'''ELPHABA:''' ''I hope you're proud how you would
''Grovel in submission
I hope you're proud how you would
''To feed your own ambition
Grovel in submission
'''GLINDA:''' ''Can't I make you understand?
To feed your own ambition
''You're having delusions of grandeur }}
GLINDA:
Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur }}
* A couple of songs by Innerpartysysten invoke this trope;
* A couple of songs by Innerpartysysten invoke this trope;
** ''Don't Stop'':
** ''Don't Stop'':
{{quote|The road I walk is paved in gold
{{quote|''The road I walk is paved in gold
To glorify my platinum soul
''To glorify my platinum soul
I am the closest thing to God
''I am the closest thing to God
So worship me and never stop }}
''So worship me and never stop }}
** ''American Trash'':
** ''American Trash'':
{{quote|I've got this planet in my hands
{{quote|''I've got this planet in my hands
You know I'll waste it if I can }}
''You know I'll waste it if I can }}


== [[New Media]] ==

== Religion and Mythology ==
* Justified in the ''[[The Bible]]'' (New Testament): [[Jesus]] actually ''is'' [[God]], and well knows it. Played straight with Lucifer in pop culture (the following never actually occurs in the Bible). Created as one of the greatest of the angels, [[Blasphemous Boast|he declared himself "above the Most High"]] and [[Face Heel Turn|attempted to make himself the ruler of all creation]]. Needless to say, that [[Fallen Angel|did not turn out well]].
** Speaking of the Bible, the [[Trope Namer]] comes from the Book of Ezekiel.
* Several mortal characters in [[Greek Mythology]] became gods or otherwise immortal, including Apollo's son Asclepius, who became the god of healing and medicine; Ino, who raised Dionysius for Zeus and became a minor goddess of the sea, who helped Odysseus return home; the Diomedes who appeared in ''[[The Iliad]]'', raised to godhood by Athena; and most famously Hercules, AKA Herakles, who in return for saving the gods of Olympus from the Giants and for his many heroic deeds, became a god after his death. On the other hand, a mortal man fixed pots and pans to his chariot, [[Tempting Fate|claimed to be "Zeus the Thunderbearer"]], and got his fool self struck with lightning for the effort. Yeah. Zeus has a temper.
* Subverted in The Apocolocyntosis (Pumpkin-ification) of the Divine Claudius, written by Seneca. The gods decide not to deify Claudius, but instead is sent to Hades to work for Caligula.
* The Nation of Gods and Earths, also known as the Five Percenters believe that the Original Asiatic Blackman is God, and that each black woman is the Earth. They vehemently deny the existence of any supernatural "mystery God" and break the word Allah down as Arm Leg Leg Arm Head, meaning humanity. The possibility of women being God is controversial, and many Gods (and Earths) disagree as to who has the right to call themselves God. Some even see the potential for white Five Percenters to prove themselves to be God, despite Caucasians traditionally being seen as "devils by nature".


== Play-by-Post [[RPG]]s ==
* ''[[Blackthorn Corporation]]'': {{spoiler|General Alan Jericho and Jean-Baptiste, respectively the messiah and a high priest of a demonic cult.}}
* ''[[Blackthorn Corporation]]'': {{spoiler|General Alan Jericho and Jean-Baptiste, respectively the messiah and a high priest of a demonic cult.}}
* ''[[Shadowside]]'': Whenever someone says this, suffice it to say there's trouble.
* ''[[Shadowside]]'': Whenever someone says this, suffice it to say there's trouble.
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** [[Xanatos Gambit|Xan.]]
** [[Xanatos Gambit|Xan.]]


== [[Oral Tradition]], [[Folklore]], Myths and Legends ==
== Professional Wrestling ==
* In a Low German folktale collected by [[The Brothers Grimm (creator)|The Brothers Grimm]], "The Fisherman and His Wife", the eponymous lady, having been made successively King, Emperor, and Pope by a magic flounder, demands to be made equal to God. The couple end up as they began, living "in piety" (a phrase used to mean "in poverty" at the time of the writing).
** The equivalent Russian tale, as recorded and remade as a poem by [[Alexander Pushkin]], doesn't have the wife want to be the big-G God. Here she wants merely to be "the lady of the seas", something like a small-g goddess. The fish nevertheless gets pissed off, probably because that's what is the fish herself.
* Justified in the ''[[The Bible]]'' (New Testament): [[Jesus]] actually ''is'' [[God]], and well knows it. Played straight with Lucifer in pop culture (the following never actually occurs in the Bible). Created as one of the greatest of the angels, [[Blasphemous Boast|he declared himself "above the Most High"]] and [[Face Heel Turn|attempted to make himself the ruler of all creation]]. Needless to say, that [[Fallen Angel|did not turn out well]].
** Speaking of the Bible, the [[Trope Namer]] comes from the Book of Ezekiel.
* Several mortal characters in [[Greek Mythology]] became gods or otherwise immortal, including Apollo's son Asclepius, who became the god of healing and medicine; Ino, who raised Dionysius for Zeus and became a minor goddess of the sea, who helped Odysseus return home; the Diomedes who appeared in ''[[The Iliad]]'', raised to godhood by Athena; and most famously Hercules, AKA Herakles, who in return for saving the gods of Olympus from the Giants and for his many heroic deeds, became a god after his death. On the other hand, a mortal man fixed pots and pans to his chariot, [[Tempting Fate|claimed to be "Zeus the Thunderbearer"]], and got his fool self struck with lightning for the effort. Yeah. Zeus has a temper.
* Subverted in The Apocolocyntosis (Pumpkin-ification) of the Divine Claudius, written by Seneca. The gods decide not to deify Claudius, but instead is sent to Hades to work for Caligula.
* The Nation of Gods and Earths, also known as the Five Percenters believe that the Original Asiatic Blackman is God, and that each black woman is the Earth. They vehemently deny the existence of any supernatural "mystery God" and break the word Allah down as Arm Leg Leg Arm Head, meaning humanity. The possibility of women being God is controversial, and many Gods (and Earths) disagree as to who has the right to call themselves God. Some even see the potential for white Five Percenters to prove themselves to be God, despite Caucasians traditionally being seen as "devils by nature".


== [[Professional Wrestling]] ==
* Parodied somewhat when [[John Bradshaw Layfield]] would occasionally taunt his opponents that he's a "Wrestling God" (even if he's a whiny cowardly Heel).
* Parodied somewhat when [[John Bradshaw Layfield]] would occasionally taunt his opponents that he's a "Wrestling God" (even if he's a whiny cowardly Heel).
* Also played straight when [[Vince McMahon]] briefly declared himself a god in 2006. Also sometime in the nineties he stated he was above us all before some wrestler beat sense back into him
* Also played straight when [[Vince McMahon]] briefly declared himself a god in 2006. Also sometime in the nineties he stated he was above us all before some wrestler beat sense back into him
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{{quote|"[[Implied Death Threat|This right here, is gonna put him away! You'll never see Sting again!]] [[It's All About Me|I'm the man!]] [[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|I…AM…]]'''[[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|GOD!!!]]'''}}
{{quote|"[[Implied Death Threat|This right here, is gonna put him away! You'll never see Sting again!]] [[It's All About Me|I'm the man!]] [[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|I…AM…]]'''[[Punctuated! For! Emphasis!|GOD!!!]]'''}}


== [[Tabletop Games]] ==

== Tabletop Games ==

* The accurate assessment version of the trope appears in ''[[Nobilis]]'', where everyone of significance is equivalent in power to what a human would call a god. A great deal of the game's drama comes from dealing with this fact.
* The accurate assessment version of the trope appears in ''[[Nobilis]]'', where everyone of significance is equivalent in power to what a human would call a god. A great deal of the game's drama comes from dealing with this fact.
* The [[God-Emperor]] of the Imperium of Man for ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' [[Subverted Trope|subverts this.]] He explicitly doesn't consider himself one, but considering [[Physical God|his immerse power]] and <s>[[Treachery Cover-Up|after he was maimed fighting his favoured son and put on life-support]]</s> [[Horus Heresy|he ascended the Golden Throne]], much of humanity believes ''he is''.
* The [[God-Emperor]] of the Imperium of Man for ''[[Warhammer 40,000]]'' [[Subverted Trope|subverts this.]] He explicitly doesn't consider himself one, but considering [[Physical God|his immerse power]] and <s>[[Treachery Cover-Up|after he was maimed fighting his favoured son and put on life-support]]</s> [[Horus Heresy|he ascended the Golden Throne]], much of humanity believes ''he is''.
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* Some humans in ''[[Kult]]''. {{spoiler|They're actually ''right'', but it's far from easy to walk that way.}}
* Some humans in ''[[Kult]]''. {{spoiler|They're actually ''right'', but it's far from easy to walk that way.}}


== [[Video Games]] ==

== Video Games ==
* The ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' series starts several years after Bhaal, the god murder, was killed. The entire series is all about people fighting about a claim on his divine power.
* The ''[[Baldur's Gate]]'' series starts several years after Bhaal, the god murder, was killed. The entire series is all about people fighting about a claim on his divine power.
** In ''Baldur's Gate'', the [[Big Bad]] {{spoiler|Sarevok}} orchestrates for himself becoming the leader of the Iron Throne trade company and one of the lords of the City of Baldur's Gate and at the same time creates a heated conflict between Baldur's Gate and the nation of Amn. The entire point of his plan is to create a war as brutal and violent as possible, as a sacrifice for a ritual that makes him the new God of Murder.
** In ''Baldur's Gate'', the [[Big Bad]] {{spoiler|Sarevok}} orchestrates for himself becoming the leader of the Iron Throne trade company and one of the lords of the City of Baldur's Gate and at the same time creates a heated conflict between Baldur's Gate and the nation of Amn. The entire point of his plan is to create a war as brutal and violent as possible, as a sacrifice for a ritual that makes him the new God of Murder.
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* This is {{spoiler|Colonel Redips'}} plan in ''[[Mega Man X Command Mission]]''.
* This is {{spoiler|Colonel Redips'}} plan in ''[[Mega Man X Command Mission]]''.


== Web Comics ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==

* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'': Deconstructed with {{spoiler|Petey}}.
* ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'': Deconstructed with {{spoiler|Petey}}.
{{quote|'''Reverend Theo''': Wow, you really ''do'' think you've become a god.
{{quote|'''Reverend Theo''': Wow, you really ''do'' think you've become a god.
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{{quote|[http://www.faans.com/index.php?p{{=}}957 "See, even the concept that the General could lose was more than he could deal with. The General isn't these people's leader, she's their god. And I've read enough fantasy to know how gods die."]}}
{{quote|[http://www.faans.com/index.php?p{{=}}957 "See, even the concept that the General could lose was more than he could deal with. The General isn't these people's leader, she's their god. And I've read enough fantasy to know how gods die."]}}
* In ''[[Fafnir the Dragon]]'', [[Twilight (novel)|Edward Catheter]] invokes this trope after drinking the blood of the titular dragon. However, {{spoiler|since he was supposed to ''bathe'' in it, not ''drink'' it, the firey blood of Fafnir helped to kill him.}}
* In ''[[Fafnir the Dragon]]'', [[Twilight (novel)|Edward Catheter]] invokes this trope after drinking the blood of the titular dragon. However, {{spoiler|since he was supposed to ''bathe'' in it, not ''drink'' it, the firey blood of Fafnir helped to kill him.}}
* In [[Zodiac (webcomic)|Zodiac]], Nightmare considers herself and other superpowered whasnames to be gods because of their powers.
* In ''[[Zodiac (webcomic)|Zodiac]]'', Nightmare considers herself and other superpowered whasnames to be gods because of their powers.
* In ''[[The Beast Legion]]'', Dragos proclaims himself as a God the will purge the light at the end of Issue 2.
* In ''[[The Beast Legion]]'', Dragos proclaims himself as a God the will purge the light at the end of Issue 2.


== Web Original ==
== [[Web Original]] ==
* ''[[Mitadake High]]''
* ''[[Mitadake High]]''
** This will happen in if Kira can create a cult of Kira-worshippers. Which is creepy.
** This will happen in if Kira can create a cult of Kira-worshippers. Which is creepy.
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* The [[Mary Sue]]s and [[Marty Stu|Gary Stus]] in the [[Anti Cliche and Mary Sue Elimination Society]] have fanatical belief in their own superiority when compared to the rest of the Multiverse's residents. Willowe and Runoa, however, want to take this a step further and make it ''fact''.
* The [[Mary Sue]]s and [[Marty Stu|Gary Stus]] in the [[Anti Cliche and Mary Sue Elimination Society]] have fanatical belief in their own superiority when compared to the rest of the Multiverse's residents. Willowe and Runoa, however, want to take this a step further and make it ''fact''.


== [[Western Animation]] ==

== Western Animation ==

* In the ''[[Justice League]]'' episode "Tabula Rasa", after beating all the members of the League and gaining their powers, the antagonist android AMAZO decides there's no challenge left for him on Earth and simply leaves to travel the universe. He eventually returns to Earth in ''Justice League Unlimited'' and helps the League on several occasions.
* In the ''[[Justice League]]'' episode "Tabula Rasa", after beating all the members of the League and gaining their powers, the antagonist android AMAZO decides there's no challenge left for him on Earth and simply leaves to travel the universe. He eventually returns to Earth in ''Justice League Unlimited'' and helps the League on several occasions.
** Amazo's godlike nature was also directly referenced by the other characters. [[Lex Luthor]] is openly dismissive of the idea, but Superman notes that if Amazo comes back, Luthor will be "doing a lot of praying".
** Amazo's godlike nature was also directly referenced by the other characters. [[Lex Luthor]] is openly dismissive of the idea, but Superman notes that if Amazo comes back, Luthor will be "doing a lot of praying".
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* One episode in ''[[Family Guy]]'' has Peter proclaiming that he has divine healing powers that cured Chris of his cancer (the two of them are in cahoots). This causes the townspeople to believe Peter to be a god and Peter then starts acting like he is God until the real God starts to punish the family until Peter stops with his shenanigans.
* One episode in ''[[Family Guy]]'' has Peter proclaiming that he has divine healing powers that cured Chris of his cancer (the two of them are in cahoots). This causes the townspeople to believe Peter to be a god and Peter then starts acting like he is God until the real God starts to punish the family until Peter stops with his shenanigans.


== [[Other Media]] ==

== Other ==
* According to the immense [[wikipedia:The Apotheosis of Washington|fresco]] on the ceiling of the [[The United States|United States]] Capitol Building, [[George Washington]] became a god. No doubt if he was alive, he would have had something very negative to say.
* According to the immense [[wikipedia:The Apotheosis of Washington|fresco]] on the ceiling of the [[The United States|United States]] Capitol Building, [[George Washington]] became a god. No doubt if he was alive, he would have had something very negative to say.
* In ''[[Bionicle]]'', the Barraki's goal when they dwelled on land was to conquer all the universe and overthrow the Great Spirit Mata Nui. While they failed, Makuta was inspired by it and began formulating a [[Gambit Roulette]] to do it himself on an even grander scale. {{spoiler|''And he succeeds,'' committing [[Grand Theft Me]] against a [[Physical God]] and banishing Mata Nui's spirit into space in a [[Soul Jar]].}}
* In ''[[Bionicle]]'', the Barraki's goal when they dwelled on land was to conquer all the universe and overthrow the Great Spirit Mata Nui. While they failed, Makuta was inspired by it and began formulating a [[Gambit Roulette]] to do it himself on an even grander scale. {{spoiler|''And he succeeds,'' committing [[Grand Theft Me]] against a [[Physical God]] and banishing Mata Nui's spirit into space in a [[Soul Jar]].}}
** On a smaller scale, [[The Starscream|Hakann and Thok]] pull off the "get superpowers and subsequently have delusions of godhood" deal after they steal Brutaka's power via improvised [[Power Copying]]. Despite razing half of Voya Nui and [[Curb Stomp Battle|effortlessly flattening the rest of the]] [[Quirky Miniboss Squad|Piraka]] [[Curb Stomp Battle|and the Toa Inika]] ''[[Curb Stomp Battle|twice]]'', it doesn't last.
** On a smaller scale, [[The Starscream|Hakann and Thok]] pull off the "get superpowers and subsequently have delusions of godhood" deal after they steal Brutaka's power via improvised [[Power Copying]]. Despite razing half of Voya Nui and [[Curb Stomp Battle|effortlessly flattening the rest of the]] [[Quirky Miniboss Squad|Piraka]] [[Curb Stomp Battle|and the Toa Inika]] ''[[Curb Stomp Battle|twice]]'', it doesn't last.


== [[Real Life]] ==

== Real Life ==
Examples of ''rulers'' who were considered deities either on their own initiative or by that of their subjects (which has been very common throughout history) should be placed over at [[God-Emperor]]. For other examples, see below.
Examples of ''rulers'' who were considered deities either on their own initiative or by that of their subjects (which has been very common throughout history) should be placed over at [[God-Emperor]]. For other examples, see below.