falsecaterpillar: (hud)

So I did more research about Tony, Steve, and Thor possibly representing three classical heroes from antiquity (Odysseus (the hero of The Odyssey), Achilles (the hero of The Iliad), and Aeneas (the hero of The Aeneid)): 

So, reading up on Odysseus, I did see something that is rather stunning. He’s often compared to iron–particularly in one passage where Eurylochus describes him: 

“You’re a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit’s stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot.” - Eurylochus (The Odyssey)

And what’s really cool? In one alternative translation, offered by Lombardo, he’s even referred to as “iron-man”: 

“You’re a hard man, Odysseus, stronger / Than other men, and you never wear out, / A real iron-man” - Eurylochus

Like… what even is this? Iron Man

Outside of that very peculiar coincidence, Odysseus really does share a lot of commonalities with Tony Stark: both came from a wealthy upbringing; both were “good with the ladies”; both were extremely arrogant at the beginning of their stories only to become humble by the end; both are characterized by extreme wit and intelligence; both were trapped in a cave and had to use their craftiness to escape; both long for returning home; both have ride-or-die partners (Penelope and Pepper). 

With Steve and Achilles, they have very, very different personalities. Achilles is a hot-headed rage machine who has a penchant for the despicable (like desecrating a corpse isn’t even half of it), while Steve Rogers is essentially virtue incarnate. 

However–one thing important to note is that Achilles, to the Greeks, was the perfect hero. He was essentially the perfect solider. Immensely popular, he had a cult following (!!!). In his day, you could imagine he’d have posters, bed spreads, kids dressing up as him, the works. In this regard, Steve Rogers is kind of a modern equivalent of the Achilles myth–a perfect hero, idolized by many. He only exemplifies our ideals. 

Other similarities go into their powers. Achilles was dipped into the River Styx, which granted him almost near invulnerability and strength. In a way, this is similar to how Steve underwent the Super Soldier Serum. Furthermore, Achilles was granted a weapon of the gods–a shield–forged by Hephaestus himself. 

Another interesting thing to note about Achilles is that he had an incredibly strong bond with a fellow solider–Patroclus. It’s Patroclus’s death that leads, in so many ways, to Achilles’ downfall. This loss drives him into a rage, leading him to brutally murder Hector. In a way, this is similar to how Steve loses himself when it comes to Bucky Barnes. It’s one of his only weaknesses.

So, while Steve may not seem very similar to Achilles in character (as Steve is noble and good, while Achilles is vengeful and vicious), they’re both larger-than-life heroes who were idolized in their time for their accomplishments in combat. Both had magic shields. And both have strong friendships with a man that were a source of weakness.

With Thor and Aeneas, there’s a lot to dissect. Aeneas is one of the sole survivors of Troy after the Trojan War. He leads what is left of his people on a long journey, fraught with peril, losing many along the way, to found a new Kingdom for them–the Roman Empire. He’s characterized as having poor emotional impulse control, but such strong devotion to the gods that he is able to overcome this flaw. He believes very strongly in the idea of Fate. At one point, he even visits his father in the Underworld. Much of his story is about learning about to be a good ruler for his people

This is all similar to Thor. Being one of the last of his people, Thor sets out to find a new home for Asgard at the end of Thor: Ragnarok. He is a man with poor impulse control, but strong guiding principles–and we know Thor believes in destiny and prophecy. He sought out the Water of Sight in Age of Ultron, and also used his foreknowledge of Ragnarok to stop Hela. Part of Thor’s story has been about him learning about to be a King to the people of the Nine Realms. 

In all, these three heroes are often summarized as such:

Odysseus is the cunning hero who outsmarts his enemies. 

Achilles is the raging superhuman who isn’t afraid to fight those who wrong him. 

Aeneas is the pious hero who is focused on the needs of his people. 

It’s all very hmmmmm. 
falsecaterpillar: (iron man)

In the original draft for CA:CW, Tony and Pepper were still together–and Pepper was pregnant. The reason the Russos (+ Markus and McFeely) wrote out Pepper from the story (and Tony’s life) was to destabilize Tony for the purposes of making him break at the end. If Pepper had been in the picture (and expecting), then Tony would’ve been far more levelheaded and probably wouldn’t have gotten as involved. I harp on this point, because it tells us the Russos have always had it in the cards for Tony to become a father. In hand with this, in A:IW, Tony had the prophetic dream about having a child.

read the rest of the theory under the cut )

 

falsecaterpillar: (hud)
A comprehensive list of evidence Tony Stark is the one to wield the Infinity Gauntlet (since I’ve spattered this content through like 5 posts now):

EVIDENCE #1: STRANGE SAVES TONY AFTER SEEING THE FUTURE WHERE THEY WIN

Dr. Strange told Tony he’d be willing to let Tony, Peter, anyone die to protect the Time Stone. But when it came down to the wire, Strange offered the Time Stone to save Tony’s life. This was after Strange lived through 14,000,605 scenarios and saw 1 where they win. Which means the “endgame” required 1) Thanos winning, most likely to throw him off his guard, and 2) Tony’s survival, because otherwise Strange could’ve offered up the Stone to save anyone else (or held onto it after Tony died for some other purpose).

How would Strange know Tony’s survival was necessary? In Doctor Strange (the movie), it’s said that a soul can only travel/see to places where it’s been and where it’s going to be. In which case, Strange knew he’d die – and this was most likely one of the last possibilities he looked at. Because why the hell would he look at a scenario where he’s gone and can’t see anything – especially early on; let alone look at a reality where he gives up the Time Stone?

When Strange does take a peek at this grim possibility? Where he loses the Time Stone and perishes? His soul comes back. Maybe it’s when he comes back, he sees Tony there – maybe with the Infinity Gauntlet. Perhaps this is what clued Strange in to the fact Tony is invaluable to what’s to come – and why Strange begins calling Tony by his first name and treating him with respect. Not only does Strange now know that Tony is alive in whatever scenario they win, but Tony is the one who saves them all.

read the rest of the theory under the cut )