Monomyth Analysis of Guardians of the Galaxy

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The Threshold Guardian's role is to ensure the hero is worth of passing the threshold. Threshold Guardian is typically henchmen of the villain or antagonist, but they can also be neutral to either side, simply doing their job. Another type is a secret helper, there to act as a guide if the protagonist can pass the initial test and learn from the result. A delayed form of a secret helper is the guardian who turns to the protagonist's side after the protagonist shows them mercy or aids them (Goodin). In the case of Guardians of the Galaxy, the character that holds the distinction of “Threshold Guardian” would be Groot, a Floral Colossus that is a species thought to be extinct. He also formed a rapport with Rocket the Raccoon and together they took on bounty missions that eventually lead them to Quill. Groot interestingly has a high capacity for self-mindfulness and has an intellectual understanding of emotional knowledge. His vocabulary is limited throughout the movie as the only phrase he repeatedly states "I am Groot", but towards the end of the film he responds with "We are Groot". In essence, Groot is saying "You are all a part of me, without you, I do not exist." By sacrificing himself to save Quill and the rest signifies some degree of trust towards the Hero by aiding him.

After the first threshold, the Hero will enter the “Belly of the Whale” or a danger zone. The danger zone in the film will be the Planet Knowhere, a space station shaped like a severed head. The planet is known to house, mercenaries, criminals and other scum of the universe. The lawlessness of the planet provides a perfect sanctuary for the less than stellar population of the galaxy which is why this fits with the “Belly of the Whale” description. The crew’s objective is to meet with The Collector with the intent of selling the Orb and splitting the profit amongst the team. The Collector has an assortment of species, artifacts from all over the universe and would be delighted to add the Orb to his collection. Unfortunately, the deal was interrupted by Ronan’s henchmen. Later the crew finally encounters Ronan, which adds more to the danger aspect of the area.

The “Road of the Trials” is not a singular moment, it is a series of steps that the Hero need not necessarily succeed, because failure would not be detrimental to completing his mission. They are placed to prepare the Hero for greater obstacles that lay ahead. These barriers or test provide knowledge to the Hero to who he can trust and who needs to be treated with caution. “The hero is covertly aided by the advice, amulets, and secret agents of the supernatural helper whom he met before his entrance into this region.” (Campbell 81). The Hero, in this case is aided by his allies or aids and reveals how he acts when he succeeds or fails. In the film, Drax and Quill try to fight Ronan, but Drax was no match and was unable to avenge his family. Another step is when Nebula chased Gamora in a spacecraft with the possession of the Orb (now identified as the Infinity Stone). Nebula eventually succeeds in destroying the spacecraft which leaves Gamora floating in space to die. Quill realizes this and risks his life and freedom by saving her, but now he is in the hands of Yondu.

“Meeting with the Goddess” is when the Hero may comply with a powerful female figure with whom he finds unity and bonding of some kind. The Goddess may be a mystical, or supernatural being or she may be an ordinary woman with whom the Hero gains support and synergy (Vogler). Quill's "Meeting with the Goddess" started when he was violently introduced to Gamora as she tries to steal the Orb away from him. Quill realizes his affection for her at Kylin while bonding over music. He explains to her that the music is a mix of his favorite songs that his mother gave to him. Quill then asks her to dance, but she rejects him due to lack of trust. He later attempts to kiss her, but was physically denied and was told that she would not "fall for his pelvic sorcery."

The Temptress is the opposite of the Goddess; the Goddess compels the Hero on but the Temptress, provides a distraction or a detour. Rather than performing the role of a blocker or a Threshold Guardian, the Temptress presents a situation for the Hero where he must make a choice (Napier). The character Nebula is the one that closely fits this description. Nebula is the adopted daughter of the interplanetary warlord, Thanos. Throughout the movie, she was a constant obstacle to the Hero and his team. She was also in hot pursuit of the Infinity Stone for her father, Thanos. But, unlike Quill, Thanos and Nebula’s reason for possession of the Orb was motived by evil intent. Therefore, the relationship between the two caused the Hero many stressful situations.

The Hero must reconcile with the ultimate authority figure in his life. A Reconciliation means to an end the conflict. The authority figure needs to hand over approval or respect, or the Hero comes to the realization that the authority figure was right. In the same way, sons rebel against their fathers when young but when they get older they understand their father was only trying to help him, they come to know that the father was right (Napier). After the passing of his mother, Quill is kidnapped by a group of outlaw mercenaries. The group called the Ravengers led by Yondu armed with a single arrow that he can control simply by whistling. Quill never actually meets his father in this movie, but his father is the one that contracted Yondu to bring his son to him. Yondu decides to keep Quill for himself and raise him. In a sense, Yondu is somewhat of a father figure to Quill. Yondu does not raise and advise him like a normal father would, but Yondu just feels that he raised Quill since he was a child and Quill is obligated to obey him or he would be killed and eaten.

Apotheosis or Resurrection is when the Hero faces his most dangerous encounter with the possibility of death. The final test also represents something superior to the Hero's existence with the outcome having significant ramifications to the ordinary world that he is trying to protect. The climatic part that represents this final test is during the final fight between Ronan and the Guardians. Quill is able to distract Ronan with nifty dance moves that cause Ronan to lose grip the Infinity Stone from his hammer. Quill then grabs the stone, which has been known to cause the holder to be paralyzed or even death when touched from anyone else. Quill realizes that he is half human and half alien earlier in the story and possesses the ability to grab the stone without causing self-inflicted death. Also risking death, the team all hold the stone together and harness its power to defeat Ronan. The Hero