We have long been intrigued by Daredevil through his related comics and famous TV series, the vigilante patrols the streets of Hell’s Kitchen in a devilish red costume.
But there’s a question that often arises: why does Matt Murdock, a devout Catholic, choose to dress as a devil?
Turns out, the answer is complex, rooted in both personal symbolism and deeper psychological struggles.
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#1 Honoring His Father – The Devil as a Legacy
One of the more straightforward reasons Matt Murdock adopts the devilish persona is to honor his father, Jack Murdock.
Jack was a boxer with the nickname “Battlin’ Jack Murdock,” and he was often referred to as “The Devil” in the ring due to his fierce fighting style.
For Matt, taking on the devil motif in his costume is a way to pay tribute to his father, who was both a hero and a cautionary figure in his life.
The red suit, horns, and the devil symbol all connect back to his father’s legacy, reminding Matt of the man who inspired him to fight, both in the courtroom and on the streets.
#2 Scaring the Criminals
Another key reason Matt Murdock dresses as a devil is to strike fear into the hearts of criminals.
The devil is a universal symbol of fear, chaos, and punishment, exactly the kind of emotions Matt wants to evoke in the minds of those who prey on the innocent.
By embodying this fearsome figure, Daredevil leverages the power of psychological warfare.
Criminals, already superstitious and wary of the unknown, are more likely to be intimidated by a figure who resembles the very embodiment of evil they dread.
#3 Catholic Guilt and the Embodiment of Wrath
The symbolism of Daredevil’s costume goes deeper, particularly when you consider Matt Murdock’s strong Catholic faith.
Catholicism is a faith rich with imagery and symbolism, where the devil represents sin, temptation, and the battle against inner darkness.
Matt’s choice to dress as a devil reflects his internal struggle with these themes, particularly his ongoing battle with guilt and rage.
Matt carries what’s often referred to as “Catholic guilt” – a deep, abiding sense of unworthiness and moral struggle.
Despite his efforts to do good, Matt feels the weight of his sins, his anger, and his violent tendencies.
In many ways, he sees himself as more a child of the devil than a child of God.
The red suit and horns are not just a costume; they are a manifestation of the darkness he feels within himself, the part of him that is driven by wrath, one of the seven deadly sins.
Daredevil as a Symbol of Duality
Matt Murdock’s dual identity as both a Catholic and a devilish vigilante highlights the intense conflict between his desire for justice and the methods he uses to achieve it.
By day, he is a lawyer who upholds the law, seeking justice through the legal system.
By night, he becomes Daredevil, taking the law into his own hands and often resorting to violence to protect the innocent.
The devil costume symbolizes this duality.
It’s a way for Matt to express the darker side of his personality, the part that is willing to embrace sin, specifically wrath, to achieve his goals.
Yet, even as he becomes this devilish figure, his actions are still driven by a desire to do good, to protect the defenseless, and to rid the world of evil.
This makes Daredevil a complex and relatable character, one who embodies the struggle between light and darkness that exists within all of us.