The Messiah Complex in Literature
A brief look...somewhat brief look.
Messiah Figures in Literature
Whether or not you’re a Christian, you’ve probably got a bit of a Savior mentality. It’s not your fault, it seems to be natural. It could be the influence of Christianity in media, but I doubt it because the idea of a savior goes beyond Christianity or Judaism. The truth is, I believe humanity is obsessed with the idea of a savior primarily because we recognize the imperfections of this world, imperfections that require immense saving that we are incapable of individually or societally resolving. They exist, and they transcend human interference.
We might take small bites out of it, but the problems persist, and they always will. This isn’t nihilism or an advocacy for that philosophical train of thought. Quite the opposite. Do your part to bring a bit of peace to what you can. Pray for that perfect kingdom to come “On earth as it is in heaven” as Christ said. However, until a savior intervenes, and I believe in only one capable of doing so, these problems will continue to plague our world. It is these problems that writers feel the need to insert a savior. Or they create similar problems in their stories that reflect the real world. And these messianic figures become some of our greatest literary legends. They all pale in comparison with Christ, but they all also reflect a bit of Christ’s nature. Let’s look at a few, shall we?
The Skywalkers
I’m an advocate that the true “messiah” character or the “one who will bring balance to the force” was not Anakin, but, was instead, Luke. However, I’m open to any other arguments to hear otherwise. But this is about the archetype of Messiah characters and both father and son fit the bill. Maybe even together.
When it comes to Anakin, he is like a messiah, there is so much clout about him, and mysticism, and he truly becomes a powerhouse when it comes to the force. Then there’s the element of prophecy. He fulfilled elements of the prophecy and so he became the messiah that everyone wanted. But he wasn’t good. In fact, just about everything about him was wrong, or corrupted. He did much out of pride, ambition, and obsession.
Luke on the other hand is the opposite. Where Anakin is bold and presumptuous, Luke is timid and mild. He’s often on the side of doing what is right even when it is not wise, defying the wills of his superiors not out of pride, but love for others. Putting them first and when something bad happens to him, he embraces the issue and becomes better from it. Not getting darker. Eventually, this good in him overwhelms his father and turns him back. Between the two of them, the dark side is defeated. Though, I believe the crux of the defeat comes from Luke, not Darth Vader (AKA Anakin).
The Prophet, Priest, and King (In Lord of the Rings)
I’m not sure if there are arguments for this, but I like to read Lord of the Rings with the idea that Tolkien put his perception of Christ into the story he wrote, making an argument for a need for a prophet, priest, and king, in salvation for the world he created.
Prophet:
Gandalf is the example of the Prophet. He comes and goes offering insights and wisdom. He helps redirect the people back to the path. Often ensuring that they remain steady though things look bleak or impossible. He encourages them, revitalizing their hearts toward the task. If all were like Gandalf Middle Earth would never have had a problem in resisting and defeating Sauron, but that would also have left a blank space for such a beautiful story to occur the way it did. He bears the burden of shaping Middle Earth to be peaceful
Priest:
Our ring bearer, Frodo, can be viewed as the priest. He is the moral compass that steers the ship for most of the story, though he comes to dark times at the end, a kind of necessary purging of evil. He does the job, bears the burden of all Middle Earth, and teaches people what it means to have a humble spirit. Reminding them that all Middle Earth is better served with a humble spirit than to be brave, brazen, or brash. (Had to put an alliteration there)
King:
Who other than Aragorn could be seen as a king? His part to play, to be the namesake to defeat Sauron, shielding Frodo from Sauron’s gaze by making his presence known. While Gandalf passed down wisdom, and bearing the burden of responsibility. He takes the punishment, he takes the battle, and he bears down on Sauron with all his might, just to give Frodo a chance. The King is not the one to bear the humility or be the final end of Sauron (who had a couple), but he appears as so for the sake of Middle-Earth.
Sam:
I mention Sam here because he was always the best of them all. The job of all the others would not have been possible if it were not for Sam. He is naïve and timid, but loyal and true. He sticks to Gandalf’s teachings, is loyal to Frodo even in his hardest times, and believes the best of Aragorn. Sam is the glue that holds them together and is the instrument of success for the fellowship.
Resurrected Savior: Harry Potter
Well, the namesake of this story is the example of a Messiah-like archetype in this series. He comes from humble beginnings, with a prophecy, a namesake of famous parents standing up to evil, and is said to be the downfall of evil once again. Then, he grows in power and yet turns away from power when it comes to him, then dies, resurrects, and defeats evil for good. Harry is a Messiah, not a perfect one, but he is the savior of the magical world. He is also good. He just makes good choices (most of the time) and struggles with those who don’t. He also turns those who don’t to his side, converting or redeeming them. The connections to Christ or a messiah are very deep with Harry.
The Miraculous Powers of Superman
Not exactly a literary figure, but he is a comic book character often seen in media and so is an applicable character, and one I think is very interesting. He is a being that comes from another planet and is keen on fixing the human race, rescuing them from their troubles. He is righteous, dutifully doing what is good and virtuous, standing against evil, even to the point of death or near death, laying his life down for others. Then there are all his wonderous, miraculous powers, which, like Harry, he seeks to use for good and does not seek more power for himself, instead giving it away.
The Human Diety, Paul Atreides:
One of the most interesting messiah characters in literature. There isn’t something specifically salvific about him, but there is something redeeming about him. Beyond just the planet of Arrakis. There is also a very dark side of the messiah types we see in literature. He’s a purging fire, burning down everything in his path of vindication for his family. Is it righteous? Probably not, but you still feel connected to him. Is he standing against the evils of the empire? Yes, but does he become evil himself? There is something of even the divine in him, with mystical powers. He eventually becomes the governing power of the entire known universe.
A Better Messiah
What’s the problem with all these messiahs? Well, besides some major character flaws, they all only solve one component of the human problem. None of them resolve the issue they have with their creator. And all tend to be more selfish, more human, than God. Whereas, the real messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, was perfectly human and perfectly God. He did more than all these figures in literature when he took the road of ultimate humility. Dying in the worst way possible at that point in history, having done nothing to deserve it. He didn’t fight to die, he died to finish the job, taking the wrath and burden of humanity down to the grave. Then he came back, offering us hope that no other messiah could.
We are fascinated with the sacrifice, powers, miracles, and righteousness in these characters. Because it is imprinted on us from birth. There is something wrong with this world in its present state. We desperately want to find a fix for this and we look at these characters and say in our hearts “If only.” If only there were someone to come down with powers and wipe bad guys away for us. Who was perfectly good, offering his power only to save others from the destructive forces of evil. If only there was someone who could make me better, and well.
We rarely look at the whole picture of the human catastrophe. Namely, us. Which is the problem with these messiahs. They look a little like us. Jesus looked like us, laughed like us, cried like us, hurt like us. He looked more human than we like to admit. He looked less like a messiah and a god, and more like an unbroken human trodding through a broken world. He wasn’t revered but reviled. His gifts went unappreciated and unrecognized. He was questioned for the miracles he performed and by the end of his life they were despised and ridiculed.
We may enjoy the stories of those other messiah-like characters. But they are all only a picture of the beauty of Christ. He was more than just an example to the rest of us. He came from heaven, took the form of man to repair all of man, and died in complete innocence. Thousands followed him, and when he died all scattered till only a few dozen remained. They are a picture but he is the real and perfect savior.
Isaiah 53 (A Prophecy of the Messiah)
Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Fantastic 👏