Heroic Qualities of the Primary Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Abstract

This paper examines what makes the superhero team Avengers in the Marvel’s Cinematic Universe a group of remarkable people rather than a chemical mixture that can cause devastation. The focus of this paper lies on the primary avengers such as Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. This paper delves into what they have in common, how they differ from each other, and what make them heroes. In addition, this paper compares a traditional hero character, Rambo, with these primary avengers arguing that making a sacrifice and making a choice of meaning rather than being are how they overcome the emotion of fear. In order to do this, this paper engages Helen Block Lewis’s findings about the connections between the emotion of shame and the act of violence. Additional researches about this issue and other related issues are examined as well. In addition, Lacan’s argument is used to explain the primary avengers’ choice of meaning instead of being.