5. ARCHETYPES
There are several additional archetypes within the story of Spiderman.
The archetypes are listed as follows:
• Aunt May Parker – Mentor
• Uncle Ben Park – Father Role
• Mary Jane Watson (M.J.) – Damsel in Distress
• Harold Osborn – Best Friend
6. THE HERO’S QUEST
Spiderman is a mythical American character created by Stan Lee. Lee
introduced his colorful hero in 1962. Spider-Man is one of the most
popular American icons. This hero’s quest is detailed by Spiderman’s:
• Separation
• Initiation
• Transformation
• Return
8. • Spiders have saved great
leaders
• Hopi believe in Spider
goddess of the Earth
• West African God associated
with Creation
• Cherokee believe in
Grandmother Spider who
brings light to the world
MYTHOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL
ORIGINS OF THIS STORY
• True Origins unknown
• Commonly said to be
Tricksters and
Mischief-makers
• British folklore depicts
goblins as malicious
and spiteful murders
• Often shown carrying
iron spikes and iron-
shod boots
9. • Conflict between romance vs.
fighting evil
• Conflict between personal desires
vs. good of community
• Conflict is similar to ordinary
human struggle
• Human conflicts retain relevance
through the ages
• The heroes’ quest encourage
individuals to rise to occasion
CONFLICTS BETWEEN PERSONAL DESIRE AND
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
10. CONCLUSION
• Hero’s Quests Can Teach Valuable Lessons
• How One Deals With Conflict can Influence Journey
• A Hero Steps Beyond Known Capabilities
• Anyone can Easily Become a Hero or Villain Under the
Right Circumstances
• Many Contemporary Stories Mimic Myths of Ancient
Times
• The Battle of Good Versus Evil
11. REFERENCES
Biography for green goblin from Spiderman, (2002). Retrieved from,
http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0001357/b
Google Images http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/266/spidey_goblin_aerobics.gif
Marvel Directory. (2012). Individuals- Spider-Man, May Parker, Ben Parker, Mary Jane Watson,
Harold Osborn. Retrieved from http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/s/spiderman.htm
Meyer, M.D. (2003). Utilizing mythic criticism in contemporary narrative culture: Examining the
"present-absence" of shadows in Spiderman. Retrieved from,
https://classroom.phoenix.edu/afm211/secure/view-
attachment.jspa?ID=24044881&messageID=155181920&name=Archetypes
New World Encyclopedia http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Goblin
Spider Mythology and Folklore http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/samhaintraditions/a/Spider-
Mythology-And-Folklore.htm
Spiderman history. (no date). Retrieved from, http://www.vex.net/~dq711/spiderman.htm
Spider-Man series, (2002). Retrieved form the World Wide Web on July 7, 2012 at
http://www.filmsite.org/series-spiderman.html
Tamburello, B. (2012). PersonalityPsych2011 - Peter Parker (Spider-Man). Retrieved from
http://personalitypsych2011.wikispaces.com/Peter+Parker+(Spider-Man)
Notas do Editor
Many myths passed down from generation to generation lauds tales of heroes rising to the occasion through sheer determination, and willingness to fight for what is right against evil. Many myths speak of heroes born into greatness, whereas there are others who have it thrust upon them. For every natural born or reluctant hero, there has always has been an opposite villain. The villains in myths are either born evil, or have allowed the seduction of power and greed cloud their thoughts. The story of Spiderman and the Green Goblin follows in the same vein as the myths of old. One can follow the young hero become as he becomes who he was meant to be while witnessing the villain falls from grace by choice or circumstance. Further, as with many story both old and new, one can observe the influences of both hero and villain’s choices.
Spiderman’s human identity is Peter Parker. Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben and Aunt May raised him after the death of his parents from a plane accident when he was a boy (Spiderman History, n.d.).
As a teenager Peter appeared as a weak and nerdy outsider. His life changed when he visited a science demonstration radiology technology. While exploring the labs Peter was bitten by a radioactive spider. The morning following the bite he realized some changes: enhanced strength, agility, and powers of a spider (Spiderman History, n.d.). He could cling to surfaces and sense danger but most important he was capable of shooting web strands like powerful vines (Spiderman History, n.d.).
Days later his uncle was killed by a burglar who Peter had come across with days earlier during a robbery but he decided not to get involve then (Spiderman History, n.d.). When Peter discovered his uncle’s murderer was the same burglar he felt guilty because he could have stopped him (Spiderman History, n.d.). From that day on he swore to fight evil. Whenever there was a burglary he helped the police capture the burglars.
Peter Parker must keep his identity as Spider Man a secret to avoid his loved ones getting hurt.
Image retrieved from googleimages.com
The Green Goblin is born from an experiment. Norman Osborne was a genius when dealing with chemistry and mechanical gadgets (Biography for Green Goblin from Spiderman, 2002). His main goal was power and wealth. He developed a serum for the United States military meant to enhance the strength, endurance, and intelligence of a soldier (Biography for Green Goblin from Spiderman, 2002). Pressured by his business partners he tested the serum on himself and gained the enhancements, but it also turned him insane (Biography for Green Goblin from Spiderman, 2002). Wanting more power he murdered his business partners who made him feel inferior, and anyone who would stand in way. Soon he came across Spiderman who interfered with his goals and criminal acts. The Green Goblin offered Spiderman to join him but that interfered with his goal of protecting people against evil. The Green Goblin discovered Spiderman’s identity and attacks him personally through his loved ones (Biography for Green Goblin from Spiderman, 2002). At the end, good wins and evil loses. Spiderman defeats the villain and continues to fight evil.
There are several additional archetypes within the story of Spiderman. The first is Spiderman’s mentor, Aunt May. Aunt May Parker took in her husband’s nephew, Peter Parker, after the death of his parents and raised him. The second archetype is Peter’s Uncle Ben as the Father role. Uncle Ben took to the role as Peter’s father when Peter’s parents died. One evening, Peter found his uncle dead and vowed to exact revenge on the killer as Spiderman. The third archetype is the damsel in distress portrayed through the character of M.J. aka Mary Jane Watson. M.J. was a popular student and actress who grew up next door to Peter Parker. The final archetype is Harold Osborn who is the best friend. Harry went to the same school as Peter. They were roommates as well as best friends. (Marvel Directory, 2012)
Spiderman is a mythical American character created by Stan Lee. Lee introduced his colorful hero in 1962. Spider-Man is one of the most popular American icons. Unlike other super-heroes, Peter Parker is a regular guy with real problems. In order to detail Spiderman’s quest, first we must describe Peter’s separation which is Peter being left an orphan at age six when his parents perished in a plane crash. He then went to live with his aunt and uncle. Next, the initiation of Spiderman is that while attending a public exhibition demonstrating the safe handling of nuclear laboratory waste materials for school, Peter was bitten by a spider. The transformation is when Peter is making his way home after being bitten and he realized he exhibited spider-like traits that he immediately associated with the spider bite. Spiderman’s return is based upon a theme of growth and maturation and how Peter’s past influences his present. Spiderman’s story reflects his humanistic side by highlighting his struggle to help his Aunt and his relationship with M.J. (Marvel Directory, 2012)
Mirrors and masks are two symbols used in the film of Spiderman. The mirror allows Norman Osborne to talk with the Green Goblin. The mirror represents the ability to reflect what can not directly be seen (Meyer, 2003). Inner depths of the subconscious can be seen through mirrors (Meyer, 2003). In ancient times, water served as a source of reflection as well as jewelry, glass and metal (Meyer, 2003). Masks are a way to hide a one’s true identity. Full masks represent supplanting of one consciousness for another, and half masks hide the wearer from the outside world (Meyer, 2003).
Images retrieved from googleimages.com
Spiders have had both negative and positive myths surrounding them. Many cultures such as the Cherokee, West Africans, Greeks, and Hopi have myths that tell tales of spiders or arachnid doing both good things and bad. In many cultures, great leaders are said to have had their lives saved by spiders. According to a story in the Torah, David, the soon to be King of Israel, was chased by soldiers who were dispatched by King Saul. After David found a cave to hide away from the soldiers, a spider came along and built a humongous web over the opening of the cave. When the soldiers came upon the cave and saw the web, they continued on believing that no one could have entered it. This is one of a few myths told of spiders being saviors or life preservers for mortals (paganwiccan.about.com).
Goblins, in myths never seem to have positive tales told of their exploits. In many cultures, goblins are deformed fairies or inferior gnomes. Most myths depict goblins as being tricksters, full of mischief, but not necessarily evil. There has never been a true consensus of where goblins come from however, many myths state that goblins originated in France, in a fork of the Pyrenees Mountains and traveled far from there traveling trough all of Europe at some point in history (newworldencyclopedia.org). In British folklore, it is said that some goblins live in castles and are malicious and spiteful killers who are very quick and dress in iron pikes they carry and iron-shod boots they wear (newworldencyclopedia.org).
The creators of the Spiderman tales may have found their creative impetus from these myths of old and put their own spin on them, making what we now see as the Spiderman and the Green Goblin tale.
The conflict is Peter’s love for M.J. and his life as the superhero fighting evil. M.J. declared her love for Peter, but he painstakingly told her that they could only be friends. Peter decides to breaks up with Mary Jane because he realizes his superhero life will always endanger her.
Peter has the conflict of developing a romantic relationship with Mary Jane, or to use his power’s to fight evil. This conflict can be related to choices ordinary humans struggle with when deciding to be selfless in their decisions for the greater good of someone else or the community. These human conflicts retain relevance through the ages because situations continue to present themselves just in different scenarios. The heroes’ quest stories encourage individuals to rise above their personal desires for the better good of someone else. In the case of Peter Parker, he sets aside his personal feelings for M.J. to use his superpowers to protect the community.
Ultimately, as with most myths and the cultures that pass them down, the good wins over evil in the Spiderman and the Green Goblin story. There is the underlying story of a young man, whose sole existence is suddenly changed, and through trials and tribulation his foundational ideals are upheld. Peter Parker lost so much at such a young age, and as any true hero does, he transcends his mortal capabilities and reaches levels never thought possible. Peter’s Aunt and Uncle molded Peter into the man able to handle the burden of being Superman, protector of all. Their early guidance and love were the strength Peter needed to remain focused on what was right and evil and resist whatever lures power could bring. Conversely, Osborne’s fall into becoming the Green Goblin also mimics myths of old, by detailing how quickly power and greed can change a person. There is a thin line between hero and villain. It is the choices one makes that determines which role is fulfilled.
