Messianic Archetype: Difference between revisions
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[[File:jesuschristmessiah.jpg|link=Jesus|right]] |
[[File:jesuschristmessiah.jpg|link=Jesus|right]] |
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While the word "messiah" has different meanings in different cultures and there have been [ |
While the word "messiah" has different meanings in different cultures and there have been [[wikipedia:List of messiah claimants|dozens of claimants to the title]] according to [[Wikipedia]], for most Western intents and purposes, the term has been [[Hijacked By Jesus]], with Jesus becoming the [[Trope Maker]]. |
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In media, the [[Messianic Archetype]] is a character whose role in the story (but not necessarily personality) echoes that of Christ. They are portrayed as a savior, whether the thing they are saving is a person, a lot of people or the whole of humanity. They endure a sizable [[Heroic Sacrifice|sacrifice]] as the means of bringing that salvation about for others, a fate they do not deserve up to and including death or a [[Fate Worse Than Death]]. Other elements may be mixed and matched as required but the [[Messianic Archetype]] will include one or more of them, not limited to: being the [[Chosen One]], gaining a group of devoted followers, being betrayed by one of these followers, persecution by non-believers, parallels to the [[Passion Play]], obvious [[Crucified Hero Shot]], a figurative or literal resurrection, and even a [[Second Coming]]. Bonus points if the character has the initials J. C. in their name. |
In media, the [[Messianic Archetype]] is a character whose role in the story (but not necessarily personality) echoes that of Christ. They are portrayed as a savior, whether the thing they are saving is a person, a lot of people or the whole of humanity. They endure a sizable [[Heroic Sacrifice|sacrifice]] as the means of bringing that salvation about for others, a fate they do not deserve up to and including death or a [[Fate Worse Than Death]]. Other elements may be mixed and matched as required but the [[Messianic Archetype]] will include one or more of them, not limited to: being the [[Chosen One]], gaining a group of devoted followers, being betrayed by one of these followers, persecution by non-believers, parallels to the [[Passion Play]], obvious [[Crucified Hero Shot]], a figurative or literal resurrection, and even a [[Second Coming]]. Bonus points if the character has the initials J. C. in their name. |
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** Season Six Jack seems to have taken over Locke's role in this archetype. |
** Season Six Jack seems to have taken over Locke's role in this archetype. |
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* An episode of ''[[Kingdom Hospital]]'' involved the Reverend Jimmy being found crucified, followed by a series of miracles re-enacting those of the New Testament. Unusual in that his [[Messianic Archetype]] status only becomes evident ''after'' he's died. |
* An episode of ''[[Kingdom Hospital]]'' involved the Reverend Jimmy being found crucified, followed by a series of miracles re-enacting those of the New Testament. Unusual in that his [[Messianic Archetype]] status only becomes evident ''after'' he's died. |
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* In the [[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]] episode ''[ |
* In the [[Doctor Who (TV)|Doctor Who]] episode ''[[Doctor Who (TV)/NS/Recap/S3 E13 Last of the Time Lords|Last of the Time Lords]]'', Martha Jones walks the world alone for a year after The Master successfully takes over and reduces the planet to [[Crapsack World|a living hell hole]] in preparation for its total annihilation. She becomes something of a legend, considered to be a savior who will defeat the Master. Martha's means of saving the world however involves spreading stories about the Doctor ''"no weapons, just words"'', as well as leaving an instruction, and insisting the whole time that [[The Messiah|the Doctor]] is the actual saviour. |
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** The Tenth Doctor may have been accepted as a messianic figure by many humans in the New Series, but the writers of the Eleventh Doctor really take advantage of this trope. River Song is convinced that Eleven is the closest thing to a god that the Whoniverse has. Eleven himself seems to believe in some sort of God instinctively, and seems convinced that a higher power is messing with his head. Eleven hates himself (at least according to one of the writers), but is unable to fully save the universe until he accepts (at least temporarily) at least one of those "flaws". For the Christmas Special, people have commented that Eleven will "save the soul of a rich man". They haven't played with the idea as much as as the Tenth did yet, but give them time... |
** The Tenth Doctor may have been accepted as a messianic figure by many humans in the New Series, but the writers of the Eleventh Doctor really take advantage of this trope. River Song is convinced that Eleven is the closest thing to a god that the Whoniverse has. Eleven himself seems to believe in some sort of God instinctively, and seems convinced that a higher power is messing with his head. Eleven hates himself (at least according to one of the writers), but is unable to fully save the universe until he accepts (at least temporarily) at least one of those "flaws". For the Christmas Special, people have commented that Eleven will "save the soul of a rich man". They haven't played with the idea as much as as the Tenth did yet, but give them time... |
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** The RTD era is a subversion as Waters of Mars thoroughly demonstrates that {{spoiler|once the Doctor starts thinking of himself as a saviour or god, he becomes more of a [[Dark Messiah]]}} and that, ultimately, all the messiah metaphors scattered throughout seasons 1-4 aren't meant to indicate anything good. So far Moffat seems to be playing the [[Messianic Archetype]] straight. |
** The RTD era is a subversion as Waters of Mars thoroughly demonstrates that {{spoiler|once the Doctor starts thinking of himself as a saviour or god, he becomes more of a [[Dark Messiah]]}} and that, ultimately, all the messiah metaphors scattered throughout seasons 1-4 aren't meant to indicate anything good. So far Moffat seems to be playing the [[Messianic Archetype]] straight. |
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* [[Egyptian Mythology]] brings us Horus. Revered as a SUN GOD and a god of royalty, he was betrayed and killed by his uncle Set, and thus was revered as a martyr. He would later be resurrected by his mother, Isis, the goddess of reincarnation. His symbol, the Eye of Horus, was seen as a sign of royal protection. |
* [[Egyptian Mythology]] brings us Horus. Revered as a SUN GOD and a god of royalty, he was betrayed and killed by his uncle Set, and thus was revered as a martyr. He would later be resurrected by his mother, Isis, the goddess of reincarnation. His symbol, the Eye of Horus, was seen as a sign of royal protection. |
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* The Arthurian legends are, to a great extent, a retelling of the David story from the Bible, complete with the idea that Arthur will return to save Britain in her greatest hour of need. |
* The Arthurian legends are, to a great extent, a retelling of the David story from the Bible, complete with the idea that Arthur will return to save Britain in her greatest hour of need. |
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* A similar myth exists about Frederick Barbarossa, who was a real historical figure, and a number of others, some real, some altogether legendary. A more extensive, but no doubt still partial list, can be found under [ |
* A similar myth exists about Frederick Barbarossa, who was a real historical figure, and a number of others, some real, some altogether legendary. A more extensive, but no doubt still partial list, can be found under [[wikipedia:King in the mountain|the King in the Mountain entry at the other wiki]]. |
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* Mithra, ancient Zoroastrian god of covenant and oath. |
* Mithra, ancient Zoroastrian god of covenant and oath. |
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