Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe

SUMMARY:

In the film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe four ordinary kids; Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy  are sent to their grandfathers house while war is going on at home in London. During their stay in their grandfathers huge mansion the youngest and most curious Lucy finds a magical wardrobe that takes her to a virtual world filled with talking animals, mystical creatures, a White Witch, and a magical lion.

What these four children don't realize is that this adventure was no mistake; the people of Narnia had been waiting for them, to fulfill a long lost prophecy.

"When Adams flesh and Adam's bone

 sits at Care Paravel in throne

 The evil time will be over and done"

When word spreads through the forest that humans were spotted in Narnia, the White Witch does everything in her power to kill them before the long lived prophecy unfolds and destroys the White Witch and her powers over the land of Narnia.

To the utter fear of the White Witch the Majestic and powerful Lion Aslan, who had once ruled over Narnia shows signs of return when the White Witch's land filled with her cold spirit, begins to melt into the season of Spring.

Aslan is coming back, but until then, the four children must keep faith that he will return and hold strong so the legacy can be fulfilled and truth and happiness can be restored to the civilians of Narnia once again.

This story symbolizes many Greek archetypes between the Holy and Majestic Lion vs. The White Witch such as Light vs. Darkness, Water vs. Desert, Heaven vs. Hell, Fire vs. Ice


Light vs. Darkness - Aslan the true King of Narnia that holds the key to happiness through his incredible wisdom and unconditional love for his people; he is the light and truth. This  battles against the darkness and despair that tempts the thoughts of the Narnians, in fear that their king will not return, as well the lies and Darkness the Witch fills their minds with that they have no hope and she is too powerful for light to defeat her.


Water vs. Desert - Aslan is like water in a desert to the Narnian's that have suffered endless barren land without him.


Heaven vs. Hell - Aslan represents a God figure in this story and blesses all those who believe he will be coming back by rewarding them with the beautiful life lived in heaven with him, but for only those who wait, as many Narnians give up hope and join the White Witch's army out of fear in rebelling against her do not receive the rewards of having faith in Aslan that he will return


LASTLY


Fire vs. Ice -This is clearly shown through the seasons both forces represent. The White Witch creating a cold and fierce winter that melts in the light of Aslans return.

On every different angle this film portrays many aspects of Greek mythology

The number 4 in Greek mythology represents mankind - 4 limbs, 4 seasons, therefore in this film the 4 children together represent life. Because of their entrance into Narnia they brought the key to life back by fulfilling the prophecy.

With the White Witch's powers of creating an everlasting season of winter over Narnia, it symbolizes her character of a heart completely barren and cold towards everyone but herself.


Aslan portrays many aspects of Greek mythology in the figure he represents in this story.
He is portrayed as God.
His golden main represents Majesty, sun, wealth, life dependency and truth.
Through this story every character at one point in the film whether they didn't admit to it at first relied on Aslan who held the truth, everything revolved around Aslan and his incredible wisdom, love and majesty.


The color white represents light, purity, peace, innocence, goodness, spirit, morality, and spiritual thought.


Throughout the story while the Witch is still in power and winter is on its everlasting coarse, the sky; although filled with clouds, portray the mystery in the hearts of Narnian's questioning Aslan's return, are completely white. This represents the spirit and hope that Aslan is watching over his people even in their despair and it is foreshadowing his return.


The Greeks also believed the sun symbolized a hero, son of heaven, knowledge, the Divine eye, fire, life force, brightness, splendor, active awakening, healing, resurrection and ultimate wholeness. 


 As the sun melts the snow revealing the beauty of spring it reflects and symbolizes every aspect of the definition of sun in Greek mythology in concordance to the character of Aslan and what he brings with his return


These are only a few examples of the symbolism and Greek Mythology hidden in the inspiring story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 


But one of the most crucial, powerful, and defining moments in the film where Greek Mythology did an incredible job in empowering the message was at the end of the film in the bridge scene; it was the final battle against the White Witch and Aslan, standing on either side of a bridge that crossed over a rushing river. It was the beginning of the final battle against good and evil. With fear in the Witch's eyes she began to charge across the bridge towards Aslan when we drew a tear wrenching ear bleeding growl and that alone killed the White Witch.


The River symbolized life force; no matter how big of an army, frightening or powerful, light will always defeat darkness. The life force of the water reinforced that as the Witch charged across it with fear in her eyes as she met her death.


The Bridge symbolized change and transformation; When the witch crossed the bridge, and she made her last attempt to defeat the light that would destroy her, she was killed, and Narnia was changed forever. It also started a transformation in the hearts of the Narnian's as they watched their King defeat their biggest fears, and all doubt of his power has left their thoughts.


In conclusion the Chronicals of Narnia; The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Greek Mythology exploded in every scene through the color scheme, character traits, setting  and plot making this story incredibly powerful and inspiring to all who had the priveledge of watching it.


C.S. Lewis knows her stuff!