Title: 2-3C: Successful Symbols
Course: Course Development Guidelines > Section: Sample Lesson: ENG3U 2-3: A Hero's Shield

[fa-rocket] Learning Goals

  - Analyze reading texts for a variety of elements
  - Identify the conventions and techniques in media texts

[fa-th-large] Captain America: The Shield

In Marvel, superhero virtue is best exemplified by Steve Rogers, Captain America. His symbol as a hero is reminiscent not only of his ample virtues and sense of justice, but of hidden elements to his unique character. Captain America’s Shield seems standard and straightforward, but how the Shield is used in battle, its impression on other people, and its historical symbolism is more nuanced.

Captain America’s famous Shield is an inherently passive weapon and symbol, though the Captain does use it quite uniquely. It’s truthfully designed as a means to defend and never to attack. The shield is stereotypically discarded by a warrior in a duel for the sword because “real men” fight with a penis substitute.

[fa-th-large] The Shield: Combat

Rogers uses the Shield in a variety of methods, but the most common is as a mid-ranged, blunt weapon. Though Rogers does utilize the tool as protection, his most iconic displays of proficiency is when it is a weapon. Rogers casually throws the Shield in order to ricochet, allowing the object to bounce off of specific points before landing a blow. By denying the tool its traditional use, the Shield symbolizes Rogers’ own personal vendetta against evil. In the face of danger to those the Shield would traditionally protect, he throws the Shield itself headfirst into danger and uses himself as a buffer.

[fa-th-large] The Shield: Combat Symbolism

The Shield’s use as a projectile is not new in modern superheroics, but Rogers’ use is different than the phallic and penetrating connotation of standard projectiles, like arrows and bullets. A Marvel Universe arrow or bullet can possibly curve in the hands of the right expert, but these tools can never return. Rogers’ Shield will bounce, flip, and turn in order to return to his hand. This use of the Shield is much like his sense of justice: absolute. The Shield will always return to him—despite what physics may have previously intended for it. In many ways, the initiation of Rogers throwing the Shield may be metaphorical of his mantle as a hero: a conduit of justice itself.

To an extent, the Shield’s return is vital to Steve Rogers himself, almost like a law of nature. When Rogers can’t get his Shield, the narrative’s tone switches to panic. In CAPTAIN AMERICA, two doors trap Rogers’ Shield and immediately, the stakes of the scene are elevated until the Shield is retrieved. CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR had a similar scene, where Rogers’ Shield is captured by Spider-Man, a feat that was meant to amaze due to the cognitive association between the Shield and Steve Rogers. Further, the few comic book instances of the Shield breaking foreshadowed a great tragedy in the story—such as in the Civil War story arc.

This Shield’s transcendent nature and its capacity to fluidly travel throughout the battlefield is reminiscent of Captain America’s patriotism. It is no secret that Captain America is the longstanding symbol for patriotism in the Marvel Universe, however, this patriotism has often been fluid. Captain America veils his political ideals either by chance or design. Rather than identifying as one specific party, he twists and turns within the ambiguous definitions of the American Way.

[fa-th-large] The Shield: Cultural Symbolism

The Shield declares balance and guardianship. Biblically, the Shield conveys protection against evil and falsities. In combat, it is Rogers’ most important weapon. To Steve Rogers, Captain America, it could possibly signify his on-going battle against villains. It is also a reminder of his American virtues such as justice, liberty, and patriotism. By covering the shield in the patriotic red, white, and blue, Rogers illustrates his intentions to protect the country itself.

Although, Captain America troubles this definition by using the stripes of America as a shield. Thus, the symbolism of Steve Rogers’ shield morphs into a social statement of faith in the American Way, that it will protect all those therein. The Shield is to Captain America what the Virgin Mary was to King Arthur, a symbol of invincibility. King Arthur used the symbol of the Virgin Mary to slay nine hundred men. The symbol of the Virgin Mary blessed Arthur with the same grace as the mother of god.

[fa-th-large] The Shield: Inter-Personal Symbolism

The Shield itself is an unlikely weapon. There are no sharp edges and it is probably the least phallic of weaponry possible. Whereas a phallic weapon, like a sword or spear, will symbolize power and intimidation—both supposedly “masculine” traits—a shield will have an inherently feminine symbolism. A shield is the natural antithesis to the sword: a shield blocks where a sword strikes; a shield saves lives where the sword takes them. The shield is the mother to the sword’s father. Due to the cultural biases that exist in patriarchal cultures, people are not intimidated by the Shield on its own. Rather, people will flock to it for comfort and shelter.

Through Rogers’ use of a motherly tool, we can assume a relationship between Rogers and his mother. Fans of the more recent CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 issue will recall Rogers’ own drunken and abusive father, and Rogers’ mother who was tenderhearted and kind. She shields Rogers from the abuse of his father. In this comic canon, both of Rogers’ parents are immigrants in the country and factory workers: two things which represent the American Dream.

[fa-cogs] The Shield: In Conclusion

Captain America’s shield is a construct of not just Captain America’s faith in the American Way as a protector. It’s a reflection of his mother’s power and her “traditional” feminine traits. She came to America with a dream of an ideal America that she later found. In many ways, Captain America’s relationship with his mother affects his future as a hero. Rogers didn’t choose a weapon like his father, who came to America and drowned himself in hopelessness. Rogers chose the hope that his mother had: along with a blunt symbol that offered America’s second chances.

The Shield is a unique view into Steve Rogers. Many fans often see the hero Captain America and believe that is who he is absolutely. Rather, the role is a costume. Though it is an important part of Steve Rogers, and who he is, there are more elements to Rogers. Rogers was selected to be Captain America, after all. Thanks to the Shield, we see Rogers through his mother’s round eyes: as a fighter, dreamer, and protector.

Now that you have completed the reading, complete the following forum post activity: 2-3C: Successful Symbols

[fa-check-square] Success Criteria

Before moving on to the next section, make sure you understand the following:

[fa-check-circle] I can make inferences about symbolism in texts

[fa-check-circle] I can identify the features of comic book