GODS AND MONSTERS: How Aristotle explains the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Can the classics tell us the truth about Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow and the Marvel pantheon? Robert Eaglestone, Professor of Contemporary Literature and Thought at Royal Holloway, University of London, uses the Marvel Cinematic Universe to explain Aristotle’s Poetics to his students. He sits down with fellow Marvelite Andrew Harrison to discuss the mythic resonances of the MCU. Face front! Warning: many spoilers here.

• “What Aristotle says about Greek tragedy and drama fits the Marvel Universe perfectly.”
• “Captain America and Iron Man’s moral choices come right out of their characters. And Aristotle would really appreciate that.”
• “Fighting Thanos is fighting the inevitability of death. We’re all going to lose – but what is a good death?”
• “Aristotle’s Lyceum was a kind of counter-school to Plato’s X-Men.”

Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison. Assistant producers Jelena Sofronijevic and Jacob Archbold. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production

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