“I'm loyal to nothing, general----except the dream”
-----Captain America (Daredevil: Born Again)
I admit that I've never been a huge fan of Captain America or an avid reader of his comics. But of all the Marvel movies, the Cap movies are the ones I liked the most, especially the winter soldier. Since then, I've had a deep respect for the character & believe that he is indeed the greatest superhero in the Marvel Universe.
Captain America is like an 'everyman superhero'. All the
other super-characters have a surplus of 'beyond human' capabilities. Like Tony
Stark's boundless intellect, Thor's Godhood & superhuman might, Hulk's overwhelming physical strength & durability & Hawkeye's uncanny vision
& aim. All these attributes rightfully lift these characters into the realm
of 'super human'--ness & whenever they are on screen or in a
comic book page, a certain 'one-in-a-million' element radiates from them.
But Cap is totally different. Sure his abilities are at the
very peak of human capacity but does not surpass them to a degree that is predominant in the other super-characters. Originally he was a weak & scrawny
man labeled unfit for military service but later transformed into a
super-soldier when he volunteered for a secret Government operation. But his
true superhuman prowess stem not from the chemicals he was later injected but
from his inner spirit that has always been there even prior to his physical
transformation. His powers are not in his physicality or anything that's
really 'exclusive' to him but from a source that is common to every men & women.
Whenever Cap is present on screen or in a comic book page, we
don't really see a “mighty destroyer of worlds” like character, we see an earnest &
a noble man who stands for something greater than himself & is willing to
give his life to protect others----that's the true essence of heroism. Heroism
doesn't imply powers & abilities, it means what someone stands for. In
that sense, Iron man, Hulk, Thor, Hawkeye & Black widow are more warriors than
heroes while Steve Rogers is a true hero in it's purest form. There's a reason why
Captain America is acknowledged as the leader of the Avengers or why only Cap
gets to shout the battle cry “Avengers Assemble”.
Now on to the main topic of this article----Captain America's
shield. The seemingly indestructible shield that's inseparable from Cap
himself. From the blows of Thor's hammer to any form of energy
projection----nothing can break the shield. Of course the very description of
the shield validates it's invulnerability. The shield is made from Vibranium, an
extremely rare metal that's totally absorbent of any form of kinetic energy
& is nigh indestructible. But if you look deeper, a whole new imagery can be
found for Cap & his shield.
First, take a moment & think about the character of Steve
rogers, that's why I gave such a detailed description earlier. A selfless, principle centered man who is only
loyal to a dream that all people are created equal & continues to battle
all threats to that dream wherever he finds them.
Now take another moment & think about the indestructible
nature of the shield itself & it's attachment to Cap. In some cases, it's
been stated by various characters that no one except Steve Rogers is worthy of
carrying the shield. It might well seem that in a way, the shield is like an
extension of Cap himself.
Now I want you to use your imagination & find any
connections between the man & the shield. Look at the shield in terms of an
imagery, more of a representation of something than just an indestructible piece
of metal. Does that feel right? Try to follow the line of thinking that the
shield is part of Cap himself. But if that's it, it can't be a part of his physicality cause then it would be shattered in a thousand pieces when
it took the full blunt of Thor's hammer (Mjolnir). It must be something
beyond a physical representation of Cap, then.
Again, look the the essence of the character that is Steve
Rogers. Nobility, truthfulness, selflessness & courage. Now can it be that
the shield is a physical or outer manifestation of one of these elements? We're in a
metaphysical plane now, it certainly can.
Now what if I say that the shield is a physical manifestation
of Truth itself? Sounds crazy? Steve Rogers' whole life is dedicated to
standing up for truth & what if that shield is an imagery or a physical
representation of Truth?
Think about it for a while. Truth is more of an abstract. In
all of existence, truth is the only entity that's impervious to any force. Truth
doesn't change & is independent of all the forces in the Universe.
Even Time & Space is dwarfed by the timeless and indestructible nature of Truth. What can possibly
destroy something whose validity is celebrated by all of existence? Does it
sounds like Captain America's shield? The similarity in undeniable. Cap stands
for truth & in some way, the shield is a physical manifestation of truth
that's always by his side. Like Cap himself, the shield has also become a symbol
of Justice throughout the Marvel Universe.
From a metaphysical viewpoint,this interpretation of the
shield makes sense, at least to me. I always thought Captain America's shield
has some kind of meaning in relevance with Cap himself that requires a certain
degree of extrapolation. I want to conclude this article with a great Captain
America quote that beautifully illustrates Steve Rogers' quest for
truth, justice & equality for everyone.
“Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what
the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides
that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one
principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we
believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob & the press
& the whole world tells you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a
tree beside the river of Truth, and tell the whole world----No, you move.”
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