One massive emplacement for masculinity and humanity. After first being introduced to the world through comics until now, The Thor brand has been loved for several decades. Thor exemplifies masculinity in both the modern era and throughout history.
The article elaborates Thor’s sequence of evolution and how it transitioned from several states of manhood. In one of the Thor movies, Thor can be seen as depressed, overweight and directionless. This foreshadowed what is actually happening today with so many men clinically diagnosed with depression depressed than in comparison to the past. However, Thor proves to be triumphant in his battle with depression, eventually gathering himself and transcending back into his brute, confident and otherwise comical self.
Masculinity is depicted negatively and borders the fine line of feminist but the refreshing gaze at this “still masculine” character is wonderful to see in today’s age. The period of time when Thor was depressed in the movie proved to be rock-bottom, laughable, we knew Thor wouldn’t be there for long. Which begs the question, Why don’t men nowadays take the same approach?
Men want to conquer the world but many get distracted and go out of their way to impress women. However, one cannot lose himself in the process. Thor’s moments of lost masculinity were laughable and that’s how we should view ourselves in a society when we aren’t being a “man’s man.” There is nothing wrong with being in tune with your emotions, being affectionate or anything of the sort but above all else, stand firm as a man.
In the last Thor movie, Jane becomes Thor’s partner. This foreshadowed the power dynamic switch that we see today when men need additional support from their counterpart. However, he still becomes triumphant in his battles and even shows efforts of great resettlement in the area of fatherhood. Masculinity is evolving, not disappearing.
Thor's many forms throughout his multi-film series at this point points to an interesting direction that marvel is taking with the superhero, which has been shrouded with elements of toxic masculinity over the course of its history. I think Thor's lack of direction and "dad bod" at certain points in the series provides an interesting perspective as to what a superhero should be, as well as how even a god can be human and experience the same issues that any mortal man would.
I believe that you bring up a really interesting point about masculinity not fading but instead evolving. For years there has been a stigma around masculinity and a certain way a man must act. Now people are beginning to take a different approach where being masculine doesn't mean you need to be emotionless. In the Avengers even though it is comedic it shows a vulnerable side to the almost always ultra-masculine Thor. Also, in Thor: Love and Thunder the inclusion of Jane Doe as more powerful and strong it does not away from Thor's strength, showing that masculinity and feminity can coincide as one.