Analyzing Batman
Batman is possibly one of the most successful comic book characters ever created. He is also possibly one of the darkest.
His past is based on an unsettling family background. He saw his parents being murdered at which time he decided he would dedicate his life to fighting crime. Not much later he developed his persona as Batman and kept his two identities separate.
Aside from the normal life of a super-hero, Batman has always had undertones of melancholy and brooding. His heart is as dark and mysterious as the outfit that he wears. Indeed, Sigmund Freud could quite happily have spent months trying to unravel this deeply troubled individual.
More recent films have tapped into his deeper nature becoming more sombre in tone. The first television series was lighthearted and trivial by comparison and suitable for young children, but not represent the other side of his nature.
It is not hard to see the similarity of the name Gotham city to Gothic city. Gothic cities have darkly designed buildings Hence the perpetuation of mystery and darkness. This dark side is also an aspect of his great foes such as the Joker. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the character was very frightening and certainly far removed from the tv series.
If Batman were real how would he fit into today’s culture? He would be a loner and most probably an outcast. Interacting with others would prove difficult. Opening up about his inner turmoil surely wouldn’t be easy .
Therefore we have a depressed, Prozac-popping social outcast with an introverted personality. And what of his crime fighting side? With his personal problems would it not be easy to imagine him having vigilante and anti-social tendencies? He could even, ironically, become a criminal.
And so, after thinking it through we have a very different Batman from the one who is so widely known and loved. We are left with a disturbed and depressed individual who is drug dependent and unable to communicate with anyone. He could quite possibly be a dangerous repeat offender with his own ideas of right and wrong (maybe even having sociopathic tendencies). And, to top it all, because of his antisocial thoughts and behaviour he may have been awarded with an ASBO.
Tags: Costume