Here’s what I’m working with thus far…..

*****clarification: this is based on the film character Mystique, not the comic book character….difference are minor but they do exist*****

Myths are simply works of the imagination that help us to make sense of the world around us and deal with our fate. Just about every culture included a trickster in their myths; a character put in place to test the limits of right and wrong, good and evil.  Tricksters allow us to question our beliefs and morality while laying the excess shame and blame on someone else.  Most of today’s modern day tricksters are created simply for entertainment value but with some deep thought and investigation you can often times reveal their greater purpose.  According to Hyne’s in order for an individual to qualify as a trickster they must maintain at least one, preferably more, of the following six characteristics: ambiguity and anomalousness, they must be a deceiver or trick-player, the ability to shapeshift, be a situation inverter, a messenger and imitator of the Gods, or be a bricoleur.  The Oxford Dictionary defines mystique as “a fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something and also as an air of secrecy surrounding a particular activity or subject that makes it impressive or baffling to those without specialized knowledge.” While this definition greatly compares to just about every trickster, it more specifically describes the X-Men and other mutants, and personified in particular by a mutant named Raven, who chooses to go by the alias Mystique.  Mystique fits into Hyne’s definition of a trickster by having a genetic anomaly that allows her to shape shift which assists her in deception and trickery.

The X-Men are omega-level, super-human, mutants. An anomaly in their genetic codes gives each of them a unique mutant ability.  These anomalies do not void their human nature but rather create an alternate race or subculture within the realm of humans.  Most of the mutants live in a state of solidarity.  They believe that they are the only of their kind that exist and they wish to remain hidden and anonymous from their peers.  It is in 1944 that a young Raven happens upon Charles Xavier and learns that she is not alone.  As Xavier’s powers of telepathy grow he is able to reach out to other mutants and together they form a team of mutants known as the X-Men.  Raised by/ alongside Xavier, Mystique was taught equality for all and that mutants should be proud of who they are but remain slightly hidden out of respect for the fragility of the human race.  It soon becomes clear to her that Xavier prefers her in a hidden human form to her blue natural form, even when no humans are around. Eric, also known as Magneto, joins the team and he holds the belief that mutants shouldn’t hide themselves and soon convinces Mystique of this as well.  It inevitably becomes clear that human nature is to fear difference, and to therefore fear the mutants.  Magneto leads a group of mutants to separate from the X-Men and Mystique chooses to unite with him.  She argues with Xavier over her decision to be herself and fight for the mutants saying, “I used to think it was going to be you [Xavier] and me against the world, but no matter how bad the world gets you don’t want to be against it, do you? You want to be a part of it.” (X-Men: First Class. 2011.)  Mystique fights an internal battle between her love for Xavier and his love of mankind against her undeniable drive to be herself and use her power for the greatness and victory of all mutants.  Hyde stresses that every trickster is driven by hunger.  In the beginning Mystique’s passion aligns with Xavier’s and is the protection and well-being of all mankind.  As her love of self begins to wear thin she has only a yearning for acceptance, expressing to Beast, “We shouldn’t be trying to fit into society. Society should aspire to be more like us…Mutant and proud.”(X-Men: First Class. 2011)  This clarification in her life leads to her ultimate drive: the rise of the mutants and the destruction of mankind.  This decision is what turns Mystique into the villain and trickster that she is known as.

Mystique’s greatest power of deception is her ability to shapeshift, much like Loki in Norse mythology. Mystique is able to shift not only her organic appearance but also the appearance of clothing and other material accessories such as glasses, handbags, etc.  Along with this shifting ability she is able alter her voice to replicate that of the person she is portraying.  Unfortunately, she is not skilled enough to take on the exact persona of her subjects so she must study them if she wants her act to be entirely believable.  She is found out by a young Xavier when they first meet and she is disguised as his mother.  She misrepresents her by mistakenly being mother like when his mother is anything but.  Obviously, it was helpful too that he has the ability to read minds.  Her power is used for good, when she shapeshifts into Sebastian Shaw in order to prevent Azazel from murdering the Beast, one of the X-Men.  However, she later uses her power of shifting against the X-Men when she is battling Wolverine and shapeshifts into his fellow X-Men, in an effort to throw him off guard and defeat him. This is similar to when Loki would use his abilities to help the gods but also use them for his own benefit, often going against them.

While most of Mystique’s shapeshifting starts out as harmless fun, she quickly develops her gift and uses it frequently to deceive those around her. On more than one occasion, Mystique uses her powers to portray political figureheads, top military leaders, and other government officials She does this to trick the surrounding officials into changing their viewpoints on various important matters, ranging from missile defensives, waging war, and interrupting peace amongst society in order to prove beneficial for the mutants.