Signature weapon: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Weapon commonly associated with a certain group or individual}} |
{{Short description|Weapon commonly associated with a certain group or individual}} |
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{{Redirect|Weapon of choice|other uses|Weapon of Choice (disambiguation){{!}}Weapon of Choice}} |
{{Redirect|Weapon of choice|other uses|Weapon of Choice (disambiguation){{!}}Weapon of Choice}} |
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A '''signature weapon''' (or '''trademark weapon''' or '''weapon of choice''') is one commonly identified with a certain group or, in the case of [[literature]], [[comics]], and [[film]], where it is a popular ''[[Trope (literature)|trope]],'' for both [[protagonist|heroes]] and [[villain]]s to be associated with and highly proficient in the use of specific weaponry. Examples include [[Robin Hood]]'s [[English longbow|longbow]],<ref>{{cite journal |
A '''signature weapon''' (or '''trademark weapon''' or '''weapon of choice''') is one commonly identified with a certain group or, in the case of [[literature]], [[Epic poetry|epic poems]], [[comics]], and [[film]], where it is a popular ''[[Trope (literature)|trope]],'' for both [[protagonist|heroes]] and [[villain]]s to be associated with and highly proficient in the use of specific weaponry. Examples include [[Robin Hood]]'s [[English longbow|longbow]],<ref>{{cite journal |
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| author = Paddy Lambert |
| author = Paddy Lambert |
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| title = Robin Hood: The Unlikely Hero |
| title = Robin Hood: The Unlikely Hero |
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| date = 31 October 2011 |
| date = 31 October 2011 |
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| url = http://www.heritagedaily.com/2011/10/robin-hood-the-unlikely-hero/ |
| url = http://www.heritagedaily.com/2011/10/robin-hood-the-unlikely-hero/ |
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}}</ref> [[Don Quixote]]'s [[jousting]] [[lance]], a [[Magician (fantasy)|wizard]]'s [[Wand#Modern_popular_culture|wand]], the [[Death (personification)|Grim Reaper]]'s [[scythe]], the [[Sun Wukong|Monkey King]]'s [[Ruyi Jingu Bang|iron rod]], a [[Jedi]]'s [[lightsaber]], [[William Tell]]'s [[crossbow]], [[David]]'s [[sling (weapon)|sling]] and [[James Bond|James Bond's]] [[Walther PPK]]. The [[Colt Single Action Army|Colt .45 SAA]] and [[Winchester rifle|Winchester]] are ubiquitous in [[Western (genre)|Westerns]]. In horror cinema, there is [[Jason Voorhees]]'s [[machete]], [[Freddy Krueger]]'s bladed glove and [[Leatherface]]'s [[chainsaw]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MTV's Killer Halloween: Weapons of Choice |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2440218/mtvs-killer-halloween-weapons-of-choice/ |website=MTV.com |access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> |
}}</ref> [[Don Quixote]]'s [[jousting]] [[lance]], a [[Magician (fantasy)|wizard]]'s [[Wand#Modern_popular_culture|wand]], the [[Death (personification)|Grim Reaper]]'s [[scythe]], [[Zeus]]' [[thunderbolt]], [[Poseidon]]'s [[Trident of Poseidon|trident]], [[Thor]]'s [[Mjölnir|hammer]], [[Arjuna]]'s [[Gandiva|bow]], the [[Sun Wukong|Monkey King]]'s [[Ruyi Jingu Bang|iron rod]], a [[Jedi]]'s [[lightsaber]], [[William Tell]]'s [[crossbow]], [[David]]'s [[sling (weapon)|sling]] and [[James Bond|James Bond's]] [[Walther PPK]]. The [[Colt Single Action Army|Colt .45 SAA]] and [[Winchester rifle|Winchester]] are ubiquitous in [[Western (genre)|Westerns]]. In horror cinema, there is [[Jason Voorhees]]'s [[machete]], [[Freddy Krueger]]'s bladed glove and [[Leatherface]]'s [[chainsaw]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MTV's Killer Halloween: Weapons of Choice |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2440218/mtvs-killer-halloween-weapons-of-choice/ |website=MTV.com |access-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> |
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Signature weapons enable viewers of [[limited animation]] [[superhero]] [[cartoon]]s, [[comics]], [[fantasy]] [[anime]] and [[mecha]] to easily distinguish between characters who are often nearly identical in appearance (e.g., the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]). Signature weapons are a common feature of [[role-playing game]]s and [[video game]]s, where their acquisition usually marks a newly heightened level of martial prowess and/or aids in the creation of a unique [[Avatar (computing)|avatar]].<ref>{{cite web |
Signature weapons enable viewers of [[limited animation]] [[superhero]] [[cartoon]]s, [[comics]], [[fantasy]] [[anime]] and [[mecha]] to easily distinguish between characters who are often nearly identical in appearance (e.g., the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]). Signature weapons are a common feature of [[role-playing game]]s and [[video game]]s, where their acquisition usually marks a newly heightened level of martial prowess and/or aids in the creation of a unique [[Avatar (computing)|avatar]].<ref>{{cite web |
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== Historical Examples == |
== Historical Examples == |
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Non-fictional associations include [[samurai]] and their [[katana]] (which were restricted to the warrior class in [[History of Japan#Feudal_Japan_.281185.E2.80.931868.29|feudal Japan]]), the U.S. General [[George S. Patton]], who carried an [[ivory]]-gripped [[Colt Single Action Army]] into battle (and had two kills with it during the [[Pancho Villa Expedition|Mexican Expedition]]), the [[Schutzstaffel|Nazi SS]] [[Luger P08 pistol|Luger]], the [[Roman army|Roman]] [[pilum]], a [[knight-errant]]'s battlefield regalia, the [[Thuggee]] [[garrote]], and [[Prohibition]]-era gangster "[[Machine Gun Kelly]]", who cultivated his reputation for employing a [[Thompson submachine gun|Thompson automatic]]. |
Non-fictional associations include [[samurai]] and their [[katana]] (which were restricted to the warrior class in [[History of Japan#Feudal_Japan_.281185.E2.80.931868.29|feudal Japan]]), the U.S. General [[George S. Patton]], who carried an [[ivory]]-gripped [[Colt Single Action Army]] into battle (and had two kills with it during the [[Pancho Villa Expedition|Mexican Expedition]]), the [[Schutzstaffel|Nazi SS]] [[Luger P08 pistol|Luger]], the [[Roman army|Roman]] [[pilum]], a [[knight-errant]]'s battlefield regalia, the [[Thuggee]] [[garrote]], and [[Prohibition]]-era gangster "[[Machine Gun Kelly]]", who cultivated his reputation for employing a [[Thompson submachine gun|Thompson automatic]]. |
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Characters with signature weapons are also found in the various [[Epic poetry|epic poems]], such as [[Zeus]]' [[thunderbolt]], [[Poseidon]]'s [[Trident of Poseidon|trident]], [[Thor]]'s [[Mjölnir|hammer]] and [[Arjuna]]'s [[Gandiva|bow]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:20, 12 July 2022
A signature weapon (or trademark weapon or weapon of choice) is one commonly identified with a certain group or, in the case of literature, epic poems, comics, and film, where it is a popular trope, for both heroes and villains to be associated with and highly proficient in the use of specific weaponry. Examples include Robin Hood's longbow,[1] Don Quixote's jousting lance, a wizard's wand, the Grim Reaper's scythe, Zeus' thunderbolt, Poseidon's trident, Thor's hammer, Arjuna's bow, the Monkey King's iron rod, a Jedi's lightsaber, William Tell's crossbow, David's sling and James Bond's Walther PPK. The Colt .45 SAA and Winchester are ubiquitous in Westerns. In horror cinema, there is Jason Voorhees's machete, Freddy Krueger's bladed glove and Leatherface's chainsaw.[2]
Signature weapons enable viewers of limited animation superhero cartoons, comics, fantasy anime and mecha to easily distinguish between characters who are often nearly identical in appearance (e.g., the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). Signature weapons are a common feature of role-playing games and video games, where their acquisition usually marks a newly heightened level of martial prowess and/or aids in the creation of a unique avatar.[3][4]
Historical Examples
Non-fictional associations include samurai and their katana (which were restricted to the warrior class in feudal Japan), the U.S. General George S. Patton, who carried an ivory-gripped Colt Single Action Army into battle (and had two kills with it during the Mexican Expedition), the Nazi SS Luger, the Roman pilum, a knight-errant's battlefield regalia, the Thuggee garrote, and Prohibition-era gangster "Machine Gun Kelly", who cultivated his reputation for employing a Thompson automatic.
References
- ^ Paddy Lambert (31 October 2011). "Robin Hood: The Unlikely Hero". Heritage Daily.
- ^ "MTV's Killer Halloween: Weapons of Choice". MTV.com. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ Andrew Williams (30 January 2005). "Grey Lotus: Obtaining Signature Weapons".
- ^ Nicholas Tan (5 December 2012). "Far Cry 3 Signature Weapons Guide".
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