The Spiderman Complex

The guilt and despair that result from this incident spark in Peter Parker a desire to avenge his uncle's death by fighting crime across New York City.7 With this decision, Parker's powers are given a purpose and take on a new persona.
             At this point, Parker enters a state of conflict. For a time, Parker's Spiderman persona is wonderfully heroic. Soon, however, it becomes evident that the sacrifices that Parker makes in order for his role as Spiderman to flourish are great, perhaps too great. The people Peter Parker loves are threatened in attempts to attack Spiderman personally.8 "No matter how hard I try, the ones I love will always be the ones who pay." "9 Parker's responsibilities as Spiderman prevent him from succeeding in college and prevent him from developing personal relationships.10 Even the simple task of making an 8:00 appointment becomes complicated for Parker.11 The more that Parker succeeds as Spiderman, the more he fails in his own life. This conflict consumes Peter Parker's life, and it is evident that he must identify with one side or the other. .
             Parker has other options; he is not forced to continue his life as Spiderman. Parker is given the opportunity to join the evil Green Goblin, who offers him an easier, safer route sans his greatest enemy.12 He also has the choice to repudiate his role as Spiderman. He is told, "You always have a choice, Peter "a choice to affirm or not to affirm his role as Spiderman." 13 Parker must be Peter Parker or Spiderman, but evidently cannot fully affirm both roles at the same time. In identifying with Spiderman, Parker affirms his burden of moral responsibility. In identifying with Peter Parker, he affirms his burden of suffering the guilt for his uncle's death.
             Sartre's concept of freedom can be applied to the dichotomy of responsibility and suffering as seen by the example of Peter Parker. According to Sartre, a person chooses his entire world.