The Terminology: Gargoyle - Research Paper Example

? Gargoyles Gargoyles The terminology gargoyle seems to have an etiological function in a majority of languages. In all of its origins, the term gargoyle shares an intimate linkage with the word gargle. From the French, the word gargoyle emanates from gargouille meaning the throat. However, the main questions that comes to our minds once we hear this word is: do gargoyles puke, spit or gargle? According to the oxford online dictionary, gargoyle is defined as a water spurt or a pipe through which water can be emitted. This object always assumes a decorative facial outlook projecting from the gutter of the roof. In a brief explanation, gargoyles are curvaceous structures that are usually located on the outside of buildings which have a draining system (Hecht, 2005). Gargoyles can be categorized as zoomorphic meaning that they take either an imaginary or real form of animals. Additionally, gargoyles can be anthropomorphic which possess a form of human beings. Others that signify demonic outlooks fall into fringe categories. In all the ages, gargoyles have taken various formats ranging from grotesques to chimeras. Consequently, gargoyles have been used by sculptors and artists to display their creativity. The origin of gargoyles began in the medieval ages with the onset of believing in Christ as the sole God and a living being. This notion was incongruent with the medieval credence that had the perspective of life being a struggle between good and evil. The perception intrigued many more believers who extended their idea of human beings having the ability to portray this dual nature. As such, the simplest living creatures were thought to have this duality in the form of magical might (Hecht, 2005). This perspective had implications that led to severe misunderstandings between the human beings and the animals. In the recent past, gargoyles have been represented as cartoon characters or alternatively in the Neo-Gothic times, they are referred to as faction animals. In the digital world especially on the internet literature, gargoyles have been portrayed as evil and badly behaved with regard to their conduct (Chisholm, 2000, November 12). Gargoyles were used to signify several meanings and attributes when used as sculptures. A majority of the sculptures had satirical significance on topics of public conduct and religion among other touchy issues. For example, the deadly sin of lust was represented by a sculpture of the lion in animals while in humans the representative part was the genitalia. Gargoyles were thought to have spiritual and allegory linkages. Gargoyles were thought to drive away demonic spirits and were used in places of worship for such purposes. Gargoyles could stand security and keep an eye on unwanted spirits as well as other creeping creatures. It was thought that they were unseen and they could come to life during the nights when all the people were in deep slumber. Perhaps another likelihood of the medieval gargoyles existence could be the fact they served as stern warnings to the evil’s populace. In the places of worship, there is always serenity and calmness compared to the outside that is marked with so many evil happenings. In a recent article, the gargoyles have been reported to be insurance policies against the falling and subsiding of structures (Weisman, 2009). Within the world of fiction, gargoyles are depicted as a racial variant of living creatures. The following excerpt is an overview of the series called the gargoyles, a movie produced by Weismann and Paur. Gargoyles had distinct features such as wings and were seen to possess might and power. The gargoyles were thought to be the protectors of the city during the year 994 A.D. These creatures were characterized as immobile caricatures embedded in stones on castles and other stone buildings. After the setting of the sun late in the evenings, these creatures would change their morphological features and come to life. They would do this with the sole aim of protecting their territories. These creatures did not possess names as identity tags but in the long sequence of events, they took names so as to deal with human beings. The tussle between the gargoyles and humans goes on for a period of time before betrayal begins. Six of the gargoyles are killed while the remaining gargoyles are converted into stony structures until the building rises to the skies. When a thousand years had lapsed in the year 1994, a wealthy businessman, David Xanatos acquires a castle (Hecht, 2005). The businessman extends the castle using stones to assume a skyscraper status in Manhattan. Consequently, the solar rays emanating from the sun resurrects the gargoyles to life. However, the gargoyles experience a myriad of problems including how to adapt to the new environment. Additionally, the gargoyles had to deal with matters arising from mistrust among the human beings. Apparently, this mistrust was further inflicted by betrayal from another gargoyle named Demona. Demona had survived the destruction of gargoyles that happened in 994 A.D. and she is the main figure central to both betrayals. However, with the help of a female human acquaintance called Elisa, the gargoyles begin to gain trust on humans as they adopted into the society. This is clearly depicted when they leave the castle in which they lived in to find a concealed home at the clock tower located in New York (Weisman, 2009). In pursuit of justice after ushering into the following year, the gargoyles clan fights all the evil spirits and forces. These forces were exemplified in the following characters: Anthony dracon, thailog who was portrayed as corrupt, the diabolical Anton sevarius as well as Demona and Xanatos. Others were illuminati who was inexplicable and the children of Oberon who resembled the gods. Later on, Elisa and Goliath, discover that the eggs laid during the tenth century were grown ups that emerged from the Avalon Island. After the battle between them and the archmage, Goliath together with his team as well as the mists in Avalon begins the conquest for defending the innocent. Soon, there is going to be a major battle between the clans upon realizing that beings and things were not the only creatures of this sort (Hecht, 2005). After experiencing a short spell of peaceful co-existence, the hereditary foes of all gargoyles launch a fight against this clan. The ensuing danger is the exposure of this clan to the general public following the destruction of their secret home. The gargoyles were very wary of Demona’s act of genocide and this incidence led to the gargoyles being feared by human beings. This is because; the humans had never seen such creatures before in their history of being. The hunter’s clans are warmly received by Xanatos to signify the settlement in their enmity. It is the therefore after this happening that goliath together with his clan members decide to protect their city. Perhaps, the most difficult task for the team is to try to persuade the human beings that they are harmless and show their innocence. The main characters in gargoyles exhibit extraordinary traits and each of them seem to play a role in the development of the story. The first character goes by the name Goliath who is the principal leader. He is depicted as a dignified and intelligent chief. However, he seems to be inexperienced and set in his undertakings. Perhaps his greatest strong points are his sense of absurdity and devotion. He possesses a lot of physical power and strengths which are both inspiring in playing his role as the leader of the gargoyles team. Although, the number of his strong points outshines his weaknesses, Goliath can get angry very fast. He is logical and reasonable in his thinking because he believes that a compromise can be reached between human beings and the gargoyles. This is despite the fact that he does not have trust towards humans. Goliath is considered a conservative of the traditions and he finds it difficult to adapt to the contemporary humankind. This is so evident in his relationship with the human detective, Elisa. Goliath possesses a lot of respect to Elisa and this shows the level of bondage he had to the first living being. The friendship was deepened by the feelings the two had for each other until they eventually fell in love. Initially, Goliath is the mate to Demona, who was the betrayer and never lasted after the rejuvenation of his clan (Weisman, 2009). Another character is Hudson who is the oldest among the gargoyles clan. He has one eye and is shown to be the wisest among his friends. Therefore, because of this attribute, Hudson is made to be the advisor to both Brooklyn and Goliath. He is depicted as a television watcher in most cases and is the only gargoyle that fights with a sword as a bludgeon. He is illiterate in that he is unable to read and, this attribute puts a lot of indignity to his personality. However, this does not deter him from achieving the capability of learning, because he finds assistance from a blind expert. Following his confinement by the Xanatos, he manages to escape without injuries using his resourceful ability. He is believed to be the biological father to Broadway, another controversial gargoyle in the clan (Hecht, 2005). Brooklyn is depicted as the gargoyle that does not possess human like features. As a member of the three young male gargoyles, Brooklyn is shown to have a beak like mouth and is generally unappealing at all. He is calculative and analytical in nature because he does not have the physical power like other gargoyles. Due to his master planning skills, he is a devastating character because he is capable of launching extreme attacks to the opponents. He is patient in making his moves and this makes him an extraordinary leader in a number of events (Weisman, 2009). Brooklyn is elected as the second rank in the command. Although he was reluctant in taking the position while Goliath went to Avalon, he shows his capability of leadership once he takes the position. His love life seems not be a smooth trail. First, it begins with the rejection by Maggie Reed the genetically engineered gargoyle. Despite the rejection, Brooklyn offer to help Maggie when a confrontation pops up between her and Fang. Secondly, Brooklyn faces completion among his fellow mates for Angela. This rivalry is put to an end when Angela opts for Broadway instead of Brooklyn. Other characters include Lexington who shows technical competency among the gargoyles. He is poor in interacting socially among the gargoyle clan. Broadway is portrayed as a glutton and loves eating so much. His fierce nature in fighting together with a mixture of intelligence puts him equally placed in the gargoyle clan. He is easy going and finds himself getting along better with Elisa even after the shooting of the latter. He possesses logical deductive tendencies and this he portrays through his investigative capabilities such as the Silver Falcon issue. He is a quick learner who quickly achieves literacy state and develops a passion for poetic work (Chisholm, 2000, November 12). Angela is the daughter to Goliath and Demona who is brought up by Katherine, Magus and Tom in the Avalon Island. Following the conquest of Arch mage, Angela goes back to Goliath in Manhattan. She is intelligent and this seems to emanate from her mother. She is the woman the young trios fight over while in New York for love. Elisa Maza is the human police detective who becomes the first true contemporary friend to the gargoyles. She plays the role of showing the gargoyles the twentieth century city of Manhattan in turn of help in thug hunting. As a lone ranger, the shooting incidence by Broadway changes her perspective with relations. She is loyal to the gargoyles and owes them a big chunk of trust especially towards Goliath. When the fiction ends, she realizes that she was truly in love with Goliath. Other characters include Matt Bluestone who is the partner to detective Elisa, David Xanatos who is the wealthy businessperson accountable for breaking the spell of gargoyles existence a thousand years ago (Hecht, 2005). References Chisholm, K. (2000, November 12). The World of Gargoyles. Retrieved December 14, 2011, from Gargoyles-fans: http://www.gargoyles-fans.org/characters/index.htm Hecht, B. (2005). Gargoyles. Montana: Kessinger Publishing. Weisman, G. (2009). Gargoyles: Clan Building. Maryland: Diamond Comic Distributors. Read More