Steve Rogers: The Relentless Soldier
Firstly, I admit Steve Rogers was initially my favourite of all Marvel characters. A sickly child being endowed with peak human strength, with a pure will just to fight against oppressive forces and an appetite to learn? A good moral compass and a willingness to fight for freedom? What’s so wrong with that? Little did I know that Steve Rogers throughout the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has a lot more layers than I thought.
First of all, Steve is an orphan as both his parents have died. He may not have the familial issues other orphaned superheroes do (yes, I’m looking at you Batman) but through this he formed a very close bond with Bucky Barnes who took him in. Secondly, this is why Steve pursued service with the US Army as a reason for being since his disability prevented him from pursuing many physical duties and jobs. Finally, him being frozen in ice and re-emerging in 21st Century America with no friends, no family and only memories of what was must take an unspeakable toll on the mind.
Through The First Avenger and up to Age of Ultron, you might consider Steve a paragon of virtue. However the struggle of different ideologies between Tony Stark and himself become more apparent. After the events of The Winter Soldier, he’s no longer trusting of authority and prefers to do things himself.
Eventually things come to ahead in Captain America: Civil War in the aftermath of what happened in Sokovia. Steve refuses to fall under government supervision and the Avengers are split in two, all while trying to clear his only friend Bucky (revealed to be the Winter Soldier) from terrorist acts due to his brainwashing by the Soviets. At the movie’s climax a huge secret is revealed which changes how we view Steve: Tony views Winter Soldier killing both of Tony’s parents and worse still…Steve knew about it.
He decided to stay loyal to Bucky no matter what, even giving up the mantle of Captain America because of it. The only way I can describe what Steve is going through is a mixture of well masked PTSD and depression. I personally would coach him on learning not just to move on, but letting himself grieve, letting himself feel exactly all that’s gone on in his ridiculously strained and turbulent life. I’d also encourage him to write down his thoughts, encourage him to meditate (deliberately taking himself away from the physical) and let the relentless soldier rest…even if for a little while. None of it would be easy for Steve, but as someone who loves a challenge I’m sure he would do his best.
Ultimately, Steve Rogers is the best of us put into extraordinary circumstances. Him giving up the mantle of Captain America might be the most mature thing he’s ever done. Now, he can rest and truly live outside the battlefield he’s run after all his life. Maybe he’ll have a brilliantly ordinary one.
Until next time, #embraceinfinity and EXCELSIOR!
