How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Avengers.
Quote #1
LOKI: Kneel before me. I said, kneel. Is not this simpler? Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of humanity, that you crave subjugation. The bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy in a mad scramble for power, for identity. You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel.
OLD MAN: Not to men like you.
LOKI: There are no men like me.
OLD MEN: There are always men like you.
This is a subtle way of reminding us that not all power-mad dictators wore bright-colored spandex. If you look through Loki's larger-than-life trappings, you might be reminded of some powerful human figures—like, say, Hitler—that tried to accomplish the same basic thing.
Quote #2
LOKI: The humans slaughter each other in droves, while you idly threat. I mean to rule them. And why should I not?
THOR: You think yourself above them?
LOKI: Well, yes.
THOR: Then you miss the truth of ruling, brother. A throne would suit you ill.
Thor gets it. Power can be a good thing, but it needs to be used wisely. You don't use power to lord over the people you rule, but to help make their lives better.
Quote #3
BLACK WIDOW: These guys come from legend. They're basically gods.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: There's only one God, ma'am, and I'm pretty sure He doesn't dress like that.
It's a funny line, but it also says something important. Thor, Loki and the Asgardians have amazing abilities, but they're not infallible. Even their power has limits.
Quote #4
TONY STARK: You know, I've got a cluster of shrapnel, trying every second to crawl its way into my heart. This stops it. This little circle of light. It's part of me now, not just armor. It's a... terrible privilege.
BRUCE BANNER: But you can control it.
TONY STARK: Because I learned how.
BRUCE BANNER: It's different.
Both of these guys are talking about control, and the ability to control their power is seen as a way of doing good with it. Obviously, Dr. Banner has a few more issues to deal with on that front than Tony, but…
Quote #5
NICK FURY: You ever been in a war, Councilman? In a firefight? Did you feel an over-abundance of control?
Another important point on the limits of control. You may be as powerful as a god, but when lots of folks get together and start shooting at each other (or throwing each other through walls or what have you), things can get out of hand very quickly.
Quote #6
NICK FURY: Last year, Earth had a visit from another planet that had a grudge match that leveled a small town. We learned that not only are we not alone, but we are hopelessly, hilariously outgunned.
You think you're the 600 lb. gorilla on the block, and then a pagan god starts smacking around a sentient suit of armor in New Mexico, and suddenly you get a proper sense of scale. Fury's actions are largely governed by the fact that he feels absolutely powerless before the alien forces elsewhere in the universe, and he's looking for a way to even the odds. Sadly, it doesn't go quite the way he expects…
Quote #7
BLACK WIDOW: Nick Fury seems to trust you. But now I need you to come in.
BRUCE BANNER: What if I said no?
BLACK WIDOW: I'll persuade you.
BRUCE BANNER: And what if the... other guy says no?
BLACK WIDOW: You've been more than a year without an incident. I don't think you want to break that streak.
BRUCE BANNER: I don't get always what I want.
Look at this dialogue from the perspective of who has the power. As long as Dr. Banner stays Dr. Banner, the Black Widow is holding the cards. But he's got a big green ace in the hole, and while he may be bluffing with it, he warns her that he may not have a say in whether it gets played. Tread carefully, Ms. Romanoff.
Quote #8
STEVE ROGERS: Fury didn't tell me he was calling you in.
TONY STARK: Yeah, there's a lot of things Fury doesn't tell you.
We talked about how characters without power—or specific super powers—assert themselves. Nick Fury has a Helicarrier, but he's really just a man. So in order to keep a handle on the demi-gods and super soldiers, he collects information. Leverage is power…and Fury knows just how to use it.
Quote #9
LOKI: Please tell me you're going to appeal to my humanity.
TONY STARK: Uh, actually I'm planning to threaten you.
LOKI: You should have left your armor on for that.
TONY STARK: Yeah. It's seen a bit of mileage and you've got the Glow-stick of destiny. Would you like a drink?
LOKI: Stalling me won't change anything
TONY STARK: No, no no: threatening! No drink? You sure? I'm having one.
Again, while Tony has power, it doesn't match Loki's. And yet, he's moving in to assert control over the villain du jour: partly through sheer bluster, but also because he feels like he can leverage Loki by talking to him.
Quote #10
CAPTAIN AMERICA: Dr. Banner, now might be a good time for you to get angry.
BRUCE BANNER: That's my secret, Captain: I'm always angry.
Dr. Banner's big concern is keeping control over his alter-ego, since he tends to level cities when "the other guy" gets out of his pen. The big reveal here—and seriously, it's one of the coolest in the whole movie—confirms that Banner has more control over his power than he once did, and can start applying it in positive ways (like bashing rampaging monsters from outer space).