Batman

Batman: Anthropomorphic or Psychotic??







As a long time fan of Batman I always saw him as a psychotic
thrill-seeker with too much money who by chance was a “good guy”. (There may be
a little jealousy in that sentence and note the term good guy is used loosely
in Batman’s context).






As a child I thought I saw a clear line as to what an
anthropomorphic character was. Grated I was a kit and i didn't know the word so it was more like animal’s,
people’s, animal-people anyway I digress… For some reason I never saw Batman
as one.





Now, if we look at definitions:





Wikipedia




“Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics
to, or, some would argue,^[1][2]
recognition of human characteristics in, animal or non-living things,
phenomena, material states and objects or abstract concepts. Examples include animals and plants and forces of nature such as
winds, rain or the sun depicted as creatures with human motivations, and/or the
abilities to reason and converse. The term derives from the combination of the Greek
ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), "human" and μορφή (morphē),
"shape" or "form".”






Merriam-Webster


“Etymology: Late Latin anthropomorphus of
human form, from Greek anthrōpomorphos, from anthrōp- + -morphos
-morphous


Date: 1827


1 : described or thought
of as having a human form or human attributes deities>
2 : ascribing human characteristics to
nonhuman things “






Dictionary.com




“1. ascribing human form
or attributes to a being or thing not
human, esp. to a deity.
2. resembling or made to resemble
a human form: an anthropomorphic carving.


Origin:
1820–30; anthropo- + -morphic”










As an example, given the above definitions one could say
Batman is obviously, by fact, an anthropomorphic character.






However…





My focus isn’t on the definition, which can vary, rather the
intent/context of the word. Batman uses the image of a bat to induce a
particular emotion. Therefore isn’t the fact that he uses an animal irrelevant?


I mean, sure he looks like an anthropomorphic bat-man, but
his intent is to make you c*ap your pants not to make you “awwww” and feed him
fruit. He could have well used a banana suit if his enemies had bananaphobia.






Is it all just case of “art is art because I say it is and
if it happens to fall into a broader classification of public opinion then so
be it”?





As an observer of comics as an art form, despite how clear
the message, could I ever fully interoperate what the artist is trying to get
across unless I ask them personally?






Given fact and philosophy all he want’s is to induce fear,
and given the fact he does use a fursona, how would one classify Batman?






Furthermore, what about other comic book characters?





Perhaps the lines are blurred somewhere along the line.

















P.S. sorry for the grammatical errors, Meowing Fox.

As much as I love batman (BRUCE WAYNE FOREVER!!!!! *fan girl scream*) I wouldn't consider him antrho. Bruce uses a bat as a symbol for a gaurdian over Gotham. Forever hiding in the shadows, looking over it's citizens at night. The use of a bat is more likely to get certain characteristics through to the audience.

HA hA!! Love the scream!






Interesting, though. So what your saying is despite dressing
like a bat, his intent and use of the symbol negates any lesser pronounced characteristics?

i dont think the costume makes him a furry because he doesnt act like a bat and like behave differently when he is in that costume. he just uses it a s a disguise and to glide.

I consider myself a furry but when I put on my tail and ears I don't really change personality. My fursona is basically me in wolf form.

personality dont allays need to chainge, but a fursona isnt used as a discize, its used to show your inner self, batman is like a mascot. not all mascots are part of the furry fandom

very valid points. i think i tend to aggree.

but i have this firend, and she is a
damite that he is. and i tried to explain it to her but she seems to think, he has a suit so he is in fact....

frustrating, no? in a, that's sort of cute but your totally wrong kind of way, lol