Spiderman's Take on the Responsibility of Man

A couple of months ago I watched the first two Spiderman films directed by Sam Raimi. They were pretty solid films but that was it. However what struck me was the portrayal of man’s responsibility.

Let’s first take Peter Parker. Throughout the whole films it is pretty explicit that he should be use his powers as Spiderman for the good of mankind. The two most noteworthy scenes in this regard are: the line by his Uncle that “with great power becomes great responsibility”; and when the robber steals money from the wrestling event owner and Parker refuses to stop him as he runs past, since the owner defrauded him- the robber subsequently kills his Uncle Ben. But not only is he expected to use his powers to fight crime but should keep a perfect domestic calendar; for example when he returns late home and misses helping Ben decorate and missing Sarah Jane’s performance in that play. These two incidents, and other similar ones, are portrayed in a very bad light showing not only does he have a great responsibility to the community to fight crime but also to be the perfect man.

Now contrast this with portrayal of Norman Osborn (aka the Green Goblin). Initially he is shown to be an enthusiastic, but misguided, scientist and an ambitious businessman. He only becomes evil after he uses that green gas before it has been properly tested and turns him into a vindictive and malevolent criminal. What is most interesting is his internal fight between his true self and the Green Goblin: there are a few scenes in which his true self pleads with the Goblin not to kill Spiderman and innocents but this schizophrenia slowly dies until the Goblin takes over; although remnants of his true self are remain as the Goblin’s last scene shows. Due to this scripting Osborn is portrayed in a sympathetic light even to the extent of pretty much absolving himself of responsibility for his actions as the Goblin. This is a similar kind of portrayal given to Otto Octavius.

Now if I’m not mistaken these portrayals of mans’ responsibility are somewhat inconsistent. Someone who misses decorating with his Uncle is portrayed as if he has killed thousands while someone who has killed thousands is portrayed as if he has missed decorating with his Uncle! The underlying theme is that man only commits evil actions because an outside force- society- causes him do it. However what makes society bad? Well it must have been their society. But who made theirs bad and so on. As is clear this exhibits a regression ad infinitum fallacy: today’s action is based on yesterdays but never explains why the ultimate yesterday was bad. Therefore someone at some point must have commit an evil action of their own accord and be responsible for it otherwise the chain of causation does not come into existence. As is clear from this is that individuals must be responsible for their actions good or evil. This is clearly shown in the Garden of Eden when Eve ate from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and sinned- demonstrating that you believe God to be a liar. She didn’t have to do it but she did and was responsible for that; she was though tempted by the Devil but she still had free moral agency. Consequently the film’s view of man is contorted and factually inaccurate showing man to be in denial about his true self and thus continuing in his sin. I believe the way Parker is portrayed is an attempt by the maker’s who know that they commit sinful actions to shift attention and responsibility upon someone superior to them and hold them to far higher moral scrutiny.