WORD OF THE DAY! 9/24/12.

life support [lahyf-suh-pohrt]
noun
1. A system, or piece, of equipment that makes life possible in otherwise deadly environmental conditions.
2. Medical equipment, or a system of such equipment, that replaces or assists bodily functions and so enables a patient to live who might otherwise not be able to comfortably function or survive without the aid of such equipment.

EX. Today, I'd like to take a look at two iconic film villains, Darth Vader (Star Wars) and Bane (The Dark Knight Rises), that share several similarities. Both characters are physically intimidating villains, both need life support to live that makes them part machine, with the imagery of Bane deliberately drawing on that of Darth Vader (arguably the most iconic villain in film history), and both have a similar arc in their respective films. By comparing the two characters, we will get a better understanding of the mythology underlying their development.

If you haven't seen the original Star Wars Trilogy and/or The Dark Knight Rises, you have been warned. I'd recommend the Star Wars films to anyone and would still argue that I highly enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises and that it was also a good film. Those of you who wish to continue, please enjoy.

Let's begin by looking at Darth Vader, since he comes first in film chronology:

Darth Vader, as Anakin Skywalker, was driven to the Dark Side, betrayed the Jedi, and in his rampage mortally wounded the pregnant Padme. Then, Obi Wan defeated him in combat, delimbing him, and leaving him to burn by the lava of Mustafar. Only through his rage and the assistance of his remaining mechanical limb, from a previous injury, was Vader able to survive long enough for the Emperor to arrive. The Emperor, using the improved cybernetic technology used on General Grevious, saved Vader's life but made him into a monster more machine than man. On one hand, he was more powerful than ever before, and on the other, he would never reach his full potential in his state.

Almost all of Vader's life functions, from breathing to eating, were carried out by the suit, without which he would quickly die. A beast of rage, only controlled by the Emperor, Vader became an enforcer of the Emperor's will and a hunter of the jedi he once considered his brethren.

In the original trilogy, Vader is an intimidating physical presence, lifting up prisoners with his own tow hands to throttle them or even choking them with the force. He was a human representation of the empire's tyrannical power and heartless cruelty.

Darth Vader began to turn back to his human side when he discovered his son, Luke Skywalker, was still alive. After giving his son the same wound that marked his turning away from humanity into a machine of war, the loss of his hand, Luke began a journey that, ultimately, led to Vader's redemption. Luke defeated Vader and then Vader saved Luke from the Emperor, sacrificing himself, so that his son might live. His last request was to look upon his son with his own eyes.

Now, Bane and Bruce Wayne do not have the same deep relationship of Luke and Vader, BUT, Bane does share some similar roles in the story of the film. Bane, much like Vader, was critically wounded but, unlike Vader, this happened in an act of self sacrifice. He was the protector of Talia al Ghul in the Pit, a hellhole of a place in some corner of the world, and was attacked by the prisoners. In order to save his life, he joined the anti-establishment terrorist organization known as the League of Shadows, until later excommunicated because of his monstrous appearance and physicality. The mask he wears provides him with a constant drip of chemicals that make the pain he suffers from his disfigurement bearable. This pain drives him, as does his love of Talia, to be the effective brute that he is and, combined with a sharp intellect, makes him a super terrorist leader.

Ironically in contrast to Star Wars, Bane's role is to represent the anarchy that threatens any society and the animal cruelty that threatens to turn men into beasts. Bruce Wayne represents the justice that keeps the balance of society and his actions are those of, wait for it, a dark knight. His actions are outside of the law, but, like law, protects the citizens of a society. Bane's prescience as a physical challenge to Batman and, through his philosophical role, he breaks Batman in the second act of the story. 

 Thus, much like Luke Skywalker, Bruce Wayne is physically wounded and must recuperate to overcome someone who is the other side of the coin-- Luke Skywalker could become Darth Vader and Bruce Wayne could've become Bane. When Bruce Wayne overcomes Bane, it is to protect
 Gotham, and to prove that the people of Gotham, who are an allegory for the hoi polloi (everybody), are worth saving and protecting. That people are basically good creatures.

While the two stories are not exact parallels, we can see the mythical properties given to both Bane and Darth Vader, as villains, to move the story. Machines are unnatural and both men are instantly recognizable as villains because of their intimidating physicality and appearance that are only capable through their machine enhancements. Luke Skywalker and Batman overcome their antagonists through willpower, not by becoming monsters themselves.