Intermediary Archetypes Superheroes as Reflections

Intermediary Archetypes

Superheroes as Reflections of Society's Ideals

When comparing the heroes of classical society with today's heroes, the differences are easy to see. Classical society had heroes like Odysseus, Achilles, and Aeneus -- strong men whose heroic actions are not achieved through good works, but through actions that benefited their nations in battle. In fact, many of the classical heroes' actions are not that heroic. They are often rather selfish, view women as objects, and seem rather helpless outside of the battlefield. In today's society, however, heroes have turned to into superheroes. Instead of earning their glory through battle, they are generally considered heroic for a good dead, such as stopping some war-minded evildoer who wants to take over the world. Instead of being selfish, they do not want people to see their identity, are characterized as chivalrous in their attitudes toward women, and devote their lives to pursuing their higher calling. Despite these differences, however, another is quite predominate. Classical heroes are simply heroes, but modern heroes are super heroes, gifted with certain skills, powers, and gadgets that make their heroic attempts easier. All of these differences lead to questions about the differences between the two societies and the ideals that they hold.

The fact that classical heroes were closely associated with war while modern-day heroes are associated with the supernatural certainly suggests a change in ideals from antiquity to postmodernism. In fact, when war and peace is viewed, today's modern society is not much different from ancient Greece and Rome. States throughout the world are constantly involved in struggles, and even when war has not been declared, militaries are generally involved in some type of conflict. Despite the similarities between the societies, however, modern-day heroes are not the commanders of troops. Instead, these people tend to be looked upon as necessary evils. Instead, we have Superman, Batman, and Spiderman who selflessly battle evildoers whose nemesis often hold values that American Imperialists would have been proud of at the end of the 1800s. Thus, the differences between the classical heroes and the modern-day superheroes suggest a change in ideals. While war, conquest, honor, and winning war was once valued by society, today, war is looked down upon by society. We don't praise those who can kill the most, we praise those whose innovation -- or superpower -- allows them to do the most good. Thus, one can argue that society's change in ideals has accounted for the development of the superhero. Innovation, or having an ability that no one else has and the capacity to do good with it, is now seen as more valuable than having sheer brute force.

In addition, the advent of secret societies instead of bragging rights can also be chalked up to a difference between classical and modern ideals. In classical times, heroes were in it for the glory, the honor, and the ability to brag about their status as a hero. Today, heroes are parts of secret societies were their identity is protected. In fact, in the humorous move the Incredibles, superhero parents teach their superhero children that their identities are their greatest assets, and the children should defend them. Once again, this can be explained by the difference in societal ideals from classical antiquity to today. The image of the superhero today is of one who undertakes bravery as a means of selfless defense of the innocent. A superhero who revealed his or her identity would become, quickly, a celebrity, as Peter Parker in Spiderman would surely attest. This would be in direct violation of the description of superheroes as selfless. Thus, since society's ideals have changed, embracing selflessness over bragging rights.