“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place, and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!”
This famous quote from Rocky Balboa to his son sums up the Rocky mythology that has been built over 50 years. It’s a true American-male mythos that is a blend of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, the victory of Rocky as the underdog, and the victory of the real-world underdog—as Sylvester Stallone wrote the script himself in three days, and after much difficulty and negotiation, was able to get the first low-budget Rocky made on his own terms (which is depicted in the new film “I Play Rocky.”)
The Rocky mythology has been greatly discussed and analyzed by critics and film buffs since the 1976 premiere of the film.
Rocky is the classic Campbellian hero called from obscurity (stating his desire to “not just be another bum from the neighborhood”). His quest is a spiritual transformation. He progresses from a state of stagnation to a "threshold experience," losing his mentor (Mickey), failing, undergoing midlife crises, and eventually returning as the wise, older guide to mentor a new generation in the Creed series of films.
The name of Rocky’s first adversary Apollo Creed, is heavily charged with mythological meaning. “Apollo” invokes the Greek god of the sun, order, and absolute power. "Creed" is reflective of the word’s meaning (a formal statement of guiding principles or faith) as well as the original Latin “credo” meaning “I believe.” Apollo Creed also has the tragic flaw in character of many of the Greek gods in mythology. He is consumed by his own pride, which causes his downfall.
In Rocky II, Rocky suffers an eye injury that threatens his career. To win the rematch, he must learn from Mickey to change from boxing right handed to boxing left-handed (southpaw) and rely on his other eye. This parallels mythological figures like Odin sacrificing an eye for wisdom at the Well of Knowledge, or the Egyptian god Horus losing his eye in battle, representing the sacrifice required to obtain higher consciousness and victory. Even the term “southpaw” brings to mind a bear—regarded as a fierce killer of men in the wild—as well as Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt that counted bears as sacred creatures.
Stallone has openly discussed the deliberate Christian and spiritual imagery embedded in the films. There are shots of Jesus on the cross in scenes with Rocky, as well as Rocky’s ritual of kneeling and giving the sign of the cross before each fight. He also has lengthy periods of prayer in the hospital chapel when Adrian is in a coma after the birth of their son. Even Rocky’s deep desire to “go the distance” can be seen as reflective of Jesus‘s journey of carrying the cross, and is symbolized in each movie as Rocky runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This “going with distance” symbolism has entered the real world as well, as many visitors to the steps run up them as Rocky did—extending their arms in victory at the top.
Despite Rocky swinging from poverty to riches and back again through all of the films, it is clearly depicted that family is what is most important in life. His wife Adrian is the prototypical “good woman behind every successful man.”
In conclusion, Rocky has become a decades-long perpetual reminder of what’s important: a man’s character, a man’s will, and a man’s values—guiding principles worth contemplating for any man.
Until next time
Scott and Lennart