Apparently, we have a need for superheroes.
For millennia, every generation has wanted them. Over the years though, the criteria for being considered a superhero have changed considerably, as have the criteria for the regular, ordinary hero.
The oldest in the lineage of Great Britain’s, and therefore – God Save the Queen – Canada’s superheroes, was Beowulf; he killed the monster Grendel to earn his reputation.
We don’t know much about him physically; he may not even have had great abs but he was brave. His men were brave too, brave enough to be considered regular, ordinary heroes, though Grendel killed and ate a lot of them.
Today, bravery isn’t required to be a regular hero. One need only be able to endure affliction or suffering to some degree.
The news media today describe survivors of all tragic events as heroes. Make it through the carnage of a devastating plane crash or a mass shooting: you’re a hero.
Superheroes must therefore develop more and more incredible powers and skills to distinguish themselves from the glut of ordinary heroes.
Fortunately, Hollywood has stepped in to help. The modern superhero repertoire now includes the ability to fly, set things on fire, freeze things, stretch one’s body parts and shoot lightning bolts, spider webs or sharp blades out of one’s fingers.
All those powers were far, far beyond Beowulf’s ability, though he was reportedly a really good drinker.
It has all gone too far. The standards for heroes and superheroes need to be reset.
Only brave people who do something exceptional for their fellow man should be considered heroes. That was the original definition.
Beowulf embodied all the qualities that were considered positive in his day and he protected not only his own people, but even his neighbours.
Of course to be a modern hero you don’t have to kill things. Terry Fox is a good example; his deeds defined him as a true, modern hero. Note that the label shouldn’t be applied to a two year old who gets stuck for eight hours in a laundry chute and tearfully survives.
But superheroes then should also be redefined. We don’t need Beowulf or Superman. There are no longer hideous monsters or arch villains for us to defeat; the Americans now eliminate them all with drone air strikes.
No, instead our redefined superheroes need to be intelligent and wise, not muscular and sinewy, people who are willing to serve their country and their countrymen; men and women who give up their private lives to work tirelessly for the common good, people who join others to fight for their principles and who are not swayed by self-serving goals or the promise of reward.
People like those who will soon be elected!
Oh, sorry! I have confused reality with Hollywood fantasy again.
– Jim Holtz is Weekender columnist and a former reporter for the Grand Forks Gazette