Why Thanos is an Anti Hero – Editorial

As an Optimistic Nihilist, even though I don’t believe in any God, morals or principles, I truly agree that everybody has a right to live their lives as they see fit without any bigotry or judgement or (hate provided that they don’t harm others in the process). Nobody should be in a position to decide who lives or who dies let alone killing half the Universe. But, assuming that Marvel Universe is real and as portrayed in the movies, let’s have a look at Thanos real close before shaking our fists at him.

Also Read: Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies Ranked from Worst to Best

Argument

What makes a person? The experiences he’s/she’s had since the first memory. That’s what drives us. If we can afford an Apple, stealing would be immoral as our companions (parents, friends, relatives etc.) tells us so. And so, we believe that every thief has to be brought to justice. But for an Orphan, crossing that moral line may result in his survival.

Thanos is a citizen of planet Titan, a civilization like us but much more advanced. Apparently, Titan was also suffering from overpopulation much like Earth and the Governing bodies of Titan didn’t listen to Thanos’ advice to wipe out half of the Planet’s population to save it from extinction. After his Planet’s extinction, Thanos made it his personal mission to save the universe from a similar fate.

While on Marvel’s Earth, the last few years have made some technological advances. But still like our Earth, has the same issues of poverty, unemployment, economic meltdowns, Totalitarians trying to enslave the fellow Humans, World wars and Climate Change. All products of one monster, unchecked Population growth. Overpopulation is the single most downplayed recipe for disasters.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Captain America (all goodness of Humanity on steroids), Tony Stark (An average Human that bends the law who happens to be a Genius Billionaire), Thor (A literal 1500-year-old God that is obviously an ideal King) combined with some sidekicks and very strong allies (like Hulk) tried their best to stop Thanos.

Leaving out the bloodshed, the battle and the physical conflict, it boils down to the will of Thanos. To diminish half of Universe into nothing is no less feat than an almighty God (More than half of the world’s population believes God wiped us out in Noah’s flood 4500 years ago because we didn’t obey him. But according to us, he’s merciful, while Thanos, on the other hand, is a mad Titan). Thanos calls it mercy. And standing from where he is, it kinda makes sense. Sigmund Freud calls this ‘Death Drive’. The behavior that drives one towards death and self-destruction.

And evidently, Gamora’s native planet has been well-fed without poverty and misery, proving Thanos’ point. The conviction of Thanos is unshakeable. He even sacrifices his beloved adopted daughter Gamora. A person with that kind of conviction almost always gets his way. Even after he acquires all the stones, he kept his character throughout. He was as confident as ever, as cruel as he can be.

Also Read – Avengers: Endgame Review

He never gloated, never bragged, never dwelled on the past, never dumped his pain on anybody. But we still believe he’s the evil Titan because what he did challenges our Morals. We didn’t want to see Spider-Man, the teenage boy to die because almost all Humans have a soft spot for kids. And we want justice for Spider-Man’s death.

Anyway, life is meaningless, all the Universe is racing towards the cold and dark end. Thanos knows and truly believes that it is inevitable. Why postpone the obvious? Half of us can live happily or all of us can suffer. Nobody can make this decision, not without it weighing on you. To know that half of the Universe won’t exist because of you and still do it?? He chose the first option than the latter. He, firmly believed that only he has the will to perform it and so he should.

Also Read: ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ Review

And he did it with absolute randomness. He has no personal favorites. All of the beings in the universe got the exact equal chance of life as the others. Equality all over. Although the half dead beings won’t feel a thing, death always affect the living. To cause that much sorrow without guilt, one must be as tough as Thanos. Thanos is the necessary evil like U.S bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War 2. Without bombing the US still might’ve won, but the bombings broke the Emperor’s will, made Japan surrender unconditionally. This paved way for Article 9 of the Japanese constitution which in-turn prevented Japan from starting another war in the last seven decades.

“The hardest choices requires toughest wills.” If Batman would’ve had said this…., it would’ve been a Christopher Nolan’s movie.

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Suhel Abdulla

Another Engineer this world wanted but never needed. I was surrounded my whole life by the three most successful religions in the whole world. I was born a Muslim, grew up around Hindus and my School Teachers were Christians. I won’t assume, I won’t blame and I won’t shame. I listen, I understand and I write. I don’t have any complaints, just concerns. I'm curious enough to learn from the past, care for the present and hope for the future. I love Freedom of speech and writing keeps me free.

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