Arnold Schwarzenegger A Real Essay, Research Paper
Bible as Literature
Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Real Life Samson
Heroes have been around since the beginning of time. The first hero that I can think of is David, from the biblical story David and Goliath. Heroes have not really evolved that much since the early days, they are still basically the same strong characters with inhuman like powers normal mortals can’t even comprehend. Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. Contrary to popular belief, I think real heroes are just regular people who overcome grave dangers the average person never has to encounter.
We spent the last three decades observing the climb to superstardom by famed weight lifter and body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the movies, he has portrayed some of the most courageous and strongest people that have ever walked the earth. We have watched as he has solved crimes, saved damsels in distress and single handedly beaten entire armies. In our hearts and minds, we know that the world of movies is only make- believe, but it is difficult not to get caught up in the strength and abilities of Schwarzenegger. Just by watching his massive build and muscles one is drawn into thinking his deeds are very real indeed. The audience usually watches the movie and goes home with little thought to whom the real Schwarzenegger is. If one had to compare the real life person to a figure in the Bible one of the closest comparisons would have to be Samson. They have much in common regarding their physical strength, but that is not where the strongest similarity occurs. They both share a quiet confidence in which they know what they want (such like a woman), and are capable of going for it, attaining it and doing so in the face of adversity.
In real life most people are aware that Schwarzenegger is married to a Kennedy. Just the name Kennedy evokes such a feeling of awe and emotion that one pauses for effect. The family even has a place that is named the “Kennedy Compound” and most of the family members have achieved fame and fortune in their own right. The family is a pillar of staunch democrats who represent and epitomize the Democratic Party and its beliefs.
Most, if not all family members have married “like” people who share the political views of one of the most powerful families in America. For one to go into that family and spout off Republican or conservative views would be considered almost dangerous by some accounts and certainly political suicide.
Schwarzenegger never blinked an eye. He displayed the strength of Samson when he marched into the Kennedy family and asked for the hand of Maria Shriver Kennedy in marriage. This is similar in how Samson showed his strength of character when he chose to marry a Philistien, his people’s main enemy. Although Samson displayed the same courage, in the end, his marriage failed. But his initial strength was apparent in that he was willing to go against his parent’s wishes and marry her.
And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistin
Samson saw a woman he wanted for a wife, who was unfortunately a daughter of a Philistine. His father cautioned him that it would be a mistake to marry her, but he knew what he wanted and he did it without hesitation.
One can only imagine the warnings that Schwarzenegger must have received when he, an avowed and very public conservative Republican, decided to marry a Kennedy. But he displayed the same strength and quiet confidence that Samson showed when he chose his wife.
Since his marriage, which has lasted almost twenty years so far, He has continued to display the strength of Samson in his personal, professional and political life. One cannot live in this country without being aware of the Kennedy’s political views and clout. The Democratic Party depends heavily on the reputation of its most famous family and the actions and behaviors of the extended family members through marriage.
Schwarzenegger has never let his marriage to the Kennedy Clan interfere with his beliefs or desires to promote those beliefs. Schwarzenegger made no secret of his political affiliation with the Republican Party.
Walking out on to the stage during political campaigns has given an enormous boost to the republican causes, because, in part, we are privy to the opposite beliefs of the family that he married into.
In addition to the internal strength that was displayed by both men they also displayed immense physical strength throughout their private ordeals. Samson had to display it when he died as a prisoner of the Philistines. When he brought the house down on 3,000 of them, even though it caused his own death he, paralleled the part that Schwarzenegger played in the second terminator movie. During that movie his character commits suicide for the purpose of killing the enemy who, if left alone would have caused an incredible amount of damage. This was the same self-sacrifice and strength that Samson displayed when he pulled the pillars down, consequently killing everyone who was inside by crushing them.
Schwarzenegger has long since been a hero and a role model to millions as a body builder and an actor. He came out of nowhere with his funny accent and poor acting ability and then learned to act, made millions and became a star. No one can deny his clout through the use of movies. However where his Samson like strength really comes into play is in the matter of his marriage to Maria Shriver Kennedy and his public political beliefs that are diametrically opposed to one of the most influential families in the nation. While the moviegoers of the world admire his physical strength and ability, the true strength of Schwarzenegger, comes from the internal knowledge that he is his own person. Conversely, Samson’s strength came from the knowledge that he was God’s person.