The Green Goblin's Obsession: A Look at Harry’s Near-Miss in Spider-Man (2002)

In the 2002 Spider-Man film, the character of the Green Goblin, played by Norman Osborn, demonstrates an alarming disregard for his own son, Harry, during the climactic scene where the Goblin bombs the balcony where Harry is. This incident is a poignant illustration of Norman Osborn's deteriorating mental state and his single-minded focus on eliminating Spider-Man. Through an analysis of factors such as his obsession with power, mental instability, and desire to provoke Spider-Man, this article will explore why the Green Goblin showed such a blatant disregard for the welfare of his own son.

Obsession with Power

The Green Goblin sees Spider-Man as a formidable opponent and a significant impediment to his plans. For Norman Osborn, eliminating Spider-Man is paramount, and he will go to any length, including endangering his own son, to achieve this goal. This obsessive mindset can be attributed to his desire to gain and maintain power, which drives his actions in the film. Despite the potential consequences of his deeds, Norman prioritizes his vendetta against Spider-Man over the safety of those close to him, as evidenced by his willingness to bomb the balcony where Harry is.

Mental Instability

The Goblin persona is a manifestation of Norman Osborn's fractured psyche, heavily influenced by the experimental serum he took. This instability manifests in various forms, including the Green Goblin's irrational and often dangerous behavior. During the height of his Goblin state, Norman is no longer the loving father he appeared to be in the film's earlier scenes. He lacks the capacity to consider the well-being of his son and is motivated purely by his inner turmoil and his desire to eliminate Spider-Man.

Desire to Provoke Spider-Man

It is possible that Norman Osborn uses the bombing of the balcony as a strategic move to provoke Spider-Man into action. By placing his own child in danger, the Green Goblin aims to draw Spider-Man out and confront him directly. This action serves multiple purposes, including the hope of neutralizing Spider-Man and the satisfaction of seeing his nemesis in distress. The Green Goblin is willing to risk not only Harry's life but also the lives of others around him for this end.

Conclusion: Norman's Deterioration

Overall, the scene in Spider-Man (2002) provides a stark illustration of Norman Osborn's mental deterioration and his cold, unyielding nature in the face of his vendetta against Spider-Man. The bombing of the balcony serves as a chilling reminder of the hazards of obsession and the dangerous consequences of allowing one's desire for power to supersede all other considerations. The Green Goblin's actions reflect a grim reality: that even those closest to us are not spared when driven by such an intense and singular focus.

In conclusion, the Green Goblin's disregard for Harry during the bombing of the balcony is a result of his mental instability, his obsession with power, and his desire to provoke Spider-Man. His actions during his Goblin state reveal a man consumed by his own inner demons, willing to sacrifice everything for his own goals, including the life of his own son.