By: Sammy Wang

Maui is the deuteragonist, the second most important character in a story, of the 2016 animated movie, Moana. Directed by John Musiker and Ron Clements, the movie was successful upon release and I believe it’s due to the complex personalities of their characters.

Maui, a powerful demigod, is an especially interesting character. Abandoned by his human parents at birth, he was granted powers by the gods, who raised and took pity on him. raised and granted powers by the gods who took pity on him. Later in life, before he met Moana (the protagonist), he granted humanity multiple gifts, which ranged from stealing fire, lassoing the sun, and harnessing the breeze.

Despite being raised by the gods, Maui returns to humans, seeking their approval. He takes pride in being called, “Shapeshifter, Demigod of the Wind and Sea, Hero of Men and Women.” Not getting that approval from his own parents makes him seek approval from people like his parents: humans.

He won’t admit his need for approval- in his song “You’re Welcome,” after mentioning some of the feats he did, he wrapped it up as, “that was Maui just messing around.”

To say that he was looking for approval from humans would make him look pathetic, especially since the gods literally gave him powers. So, he takes on an egotistical personality to seem like a relaxed and powerful demigod to conceal his insecurities.

Maui has also attached himself to his hook, both physically and mentally. HIs hook gave him his shapeshifting powers and was what made him able to grant things to humans. When he lost it after failing to steal Te Fiti’s heart, he was affirmative in getting his hook back, because he doesn’t feel like himself without it.

When Te Kā stuck Maui’s hook, he wasn’t willing to follow Moana again for fear of losing it once more. Because, as he says, “I am nothing without my hook.”

Fortunately, with his time away self-reflecting (literally because his tattoo was what made him go back to Moana to help), he sacrifices his hook to help Moana, knowing that righting his wrongs is more important than keeping his image.

In conclusion, Maui is a fun character with a snarky personality that grows throughout the movie!

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moana_(2016_film)#Critical_response https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz55uy7ZMDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM