The supernatural and magic have played important roles in building cultural narratives and explaining the unexplained throughout human history. Sunjata, an old West African story, and Black Panther, a blockbuster film based in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are engaging works that heavily contain supernatural aspects. These aspects are important in moving the storylines ahead and impacting the characters’ travels. This article will examine how the supernatural or magic is used for good or evil in Sunjata and Black Panther and the difficulties in assigning such clear labels to these mystical components.
The supernatural powers are reflected in Sunjata by the figure of Sunjata himself, who has magical talents given to him by the spirits. His abilities become a powerful force for good, allowing him to defeat his foes and unify the Mandinka people. Sunjata, for example, uses his superhuman skills to overcome and eventually conquer the sorcerer monarch Soumaoro. This is an example of Sunjata’s magic being used for the greater good, as it assists in the liberation of his people from a dictator. Similarly, with the existence of Vibranium and traditional Wakandan traditions, the supernatural takes center stage in Black Panther. Vibranium, a mythical alloy with tremendous potential, bestows extraordinary abilities to Black Panther and helps him to guard and lead his people (Black Panther, mint 1-3). Furthermore, the heart-shaped herb, a plant-filled with magical characteristics, bestows talents on the Black Panther and links him to his ancestors. This supernatural aspect provides the protagonist with strength, but it also acts as a trigger for moral quandary and conflict.
Both of them demonstrate that the supernatural is neither necessarily good nor evil. Rather, its use is determined by the intents and acts of those wielding it. While Sunjata’s magic assists in the restoration of justice, Soumaoro has extraordinary skills that he employs for evil. For example, he produces a magical bow and arrow capable of turning an entire army into stone. This exemplifies the duality of magic, as it may be used for either good or malignant ends. Similarly, in Black Panther, the villainous Erik Killmonger gains Black Panther abilities via Wakanda’s ancient ceremonies (Black Panther, mint 1-3). His motives and deeds, however, differ from those of the protagonist. Killmonger’s quest for vengeance and worldwide dominance drives him to utilize his newly discovered talents to inflict bloodshed and devastation. In this case, the supernatural is used for evil, emphasizing its impartiality and the significance of human decisions and intentions. Furthermore, labeling supernatural entities as solely good or evil is difficult since they often cross standard moral limits. The supernatural opens up a universe that exists beyond human comprehension and cultural conventions. It offers complications and ambiguities that resist easy classification.
The supernatural components of Sunjata also represent the Mandinka people’s cultural and spiritual beliefs. They are inextricably linked to their belief in ancestral spirits and the power of nature. The supernatural is an important component of their worldview, and categorizing it as good or evil would ignore its deeper cultural importance. Similarly, the supernatural is profoundly embedded in Black Panther’s Afrofuturistic vision of Wakanda, where technology, tradition, and spirituality blend to form a highly evolved civilization. The subjective aspect of morality further complicates the applicability of good or evil to supernatural entities. What is excellent or bad is often subjective and depends on one’s cultural, societal, and personal viewpoints. Killmonger’s acts in Black Panther, for example, might be understood as a reaction to the historical persecution of black people across the globe (Black Panther, mint 1-3). While his techniques are severe, some viewers may identify with his underlying objectives, blurring the borders between morality and immorality.
In conclusion, Sunjata and Black Panther both play a complex and nuanced role in the supernatural or magic. Since supernatural components perform a variety of functions and their moral implications depend on the motivations and actions of the protagonists, it is difficult to characterize them as purely good or evil. The supernatural is shown in both texts to be a neutral entity that may be used for either good or evil purposes. Furthermore, our perception and interpretation of the supernatural are significantly shaped by cultural environment and subjective viewpoints. We learn more about the subtleties of human nature and the influence of belief systems by digging into the depths of the supernatural in these stories.
Work Cited
Black Panther. “Black Panther: Killmonger Challenges T’Challa to Ritual Combat [Clip] | TNT.” YouTube, 21 Oct. 2020.
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