“Heroic weapons” The Use of Weapons by Old and Modern Heroes

Abstract

This study explores the use of weapons in both literature and films. It focusses on three categories: weapons that make a hero special, heroes that make a weapon special and heroes who are weapons themselves. The use of special weapons has been around in literature for centuries and has in turn made its way into the world of filmmaking. Weapons often serve as a symbol or an icon for a hero. Even without having seen one Marvel film, most people would be able to recognize the pattern on Captain America’s shield. Yet there are heroes who actually need weapons in order to become a hero or regain their heroic status. It is also possible for heroes to make common weapons special, such as Robin Hood and his bow and arrow. Another possibility is that some heroes are so powerful, they do not need weapons to fight; their strength is their weapon. This study highlights certain weapons from both old and modern sources, such as the poem Beowulf and the Star Wars films.