Last night, in a successful procrastination bid on my work, the little insurgent devils of distraction made me watch two movies, The NeverEnding Story and Stardust. Both are movies of fantasy, where the protagonist finds himself reluctantly dragged into other worlds, and as with all tales of fiction, working against the odds to save the day.
The NeverEnding Story is a movie that all must watch. A little boy finds himself the possession of a magic book wherein his unknowing imagination controls the plot. The main theme of the loss of imagination is one shared with Toy Story 3, and evokes a strange fear of growing up. However, my ideas on dreams, imagination and true play shall be saved for another day. Those who have heard my theory know it is a rather lengthy one to explain. Today, I have other things to talk about.
Stardust is another movie that is worth watching. An adaption of Neil Gaiman’s novel of the same name, it explores the magic of love, particularly the magic that one comes across seeking it. Yet, what interests me is not so much the main theme, or even the main character, however but one of the secondary ones, Captain Shakespeare.
The beloved Captain carries with him a fearsome reputation, one built up over the years. Known to his men as a bloodthirsty, cruel and heroic leader, he is truly soft at heart and a gentleman. It is with this that I feel truly shows his fearsome heroism. He fakes the captured Tristan’s death to save his life and takes Yvaine to his chambers to keep her away from the crew. In doing so, he then reveals that he gained his reputation without ever ‘spilling a drop of blood’, a feat far more difficult to achieve. His reputation is one borne clearly of love and not a lust for power.
It is this same love that makes him a great hero in the movie. Love draws people to each other, binds one squarely on the world. It is far more powerful than greed, lust, power, or fear that one can come up with. It is far harder to lead with love than it is to govern with the might of fear. The Captain’s leadership is clearly juxtaposed to that of the Princes, particularly Septimus, who faces off with the Captain in one scene. Septimus lusts for power, and in doing so, as the movie ends, he loses everything, including his life. Locked in a sordid tradition of having to slay his brothers for the throne, as the movie proceeds he is slowly stripped of everything and everyone around him. First his last few remaining blood relatives are murdered, then his men, and finally he is killed by, drowned by the Witches. His lust for power consumes him.
In contrast, the Captain’s sole desire is to give as much as he can. A closet homosexual and cross-dresser, he is reputation is superficial. With love, he teaches Tristan to be a gentleman and protects Yvaine’s identity, keeping her safe from her seekers. His love for them translates into bravery, when even at the loss of his reputation and faced with Septimus’ sword, he keeps strongly to his silence, gaining them much time and distance. His actions reward him grandly. Despite being caught and hung out to try as a poofter, in the death of his reputation, he gains a new one, an even bigger greater one, for there is no mutiny from his crew, instead a far greater respect is forged between them and him and they promised to continue sailing under his command.
Captain Shakespeare is a true hero in the film and a clear reminder that the virtue of heroism is borne of love. One cannot commit acts of brave heroism without the foundation of love to fall back upon and to push one into the fire. It is what makes little people into great heroes.
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