Was Loki Brainwashed by Thanos During the Battle of New York?
The events of the Battle of New York in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are often debated, especially regarding the extent to which Loki was coerced or brainwashed by Thanos. Was he just coerced, or did he truly become a pawn under Thanos's control?
Loki's actions during this pivotal moment in Avengers history raise many questions. He was clearly under some form of influence when he attacked New York:
You think you know pain. He will make you long for something as sweet as pain.
However, the influence on Loki was not as straightforward as outright brainwashing. The term brainwashing is defined by Google as making someone adopt radically different beliefs by using systematic and often forcible pressure. In the case of Loki, his actions could be seen as the result of both coercion and manipulation rather than outright brainwashing.
Brainwashing vs. Coercion
The official Marvel website provides some insight, stating that Loki was 'influenced' rather than 'fully under control,' which aligns with a more coerced state rather than an uncontested brainwash. Additionally, interviews with creators anecdotally mention that Loki 'went through hell,' suggesting he might have been tortured by Thanos or the Other.
Some critics argue that Loki's actions in the post-Thor era were driven more by personal motivations than outright brainwashing:
Motives and Bargains
It's argued that Loki was more motivated by his own desires rather than being brainwashed. His primary goal was to conquer Earth and achieve dominion over Midgard. In the scenes from The Avengers, interactions between Loki and the Other (through whom Thanos contacted Loki) suggest a complex bargain. Loki wanted the scepter and his army, while Thanos wanted the Tesseract. This arrangement was mutually beneficial, but Loki was still clearly afraid of Thanos and the Other's control.
Assessing Loki's Morality
No discussion of Loki would be complete without addressing his character's morality. Despite his adoration for his brother, Loki is undoubtedly a villain. He was motivated by his own agenda and was willing to harm the people of Earth to achieve his goals. The fact that he needed Thanos and the Other to achieve his objectives emphasizes his vulnerability and manipulability:
"Loki is evil. He is one of the bad guys. While he loves his brother, he is not a good man. He really wanted to conquer Earth and kill the Avengers, and Thanos just happened to have similar goals and provided him with an army in exchange for the Tesseract."
Ultimately, the events of the Battle of New York highlight the complex interplay between coercion, influence, and personal ambition in shaping a character's actions. Loki's role in these pivotal events remains a subject of ongoing debate and speculation.