The Militarized Shapeshifter: Authorized Violence and Military Connections as an Antidote to Monstrosity

This article explores the idea that monstrosity can be negated through association with a military force. Using the ideas of authorized violence and justum bellum along with an exploration of the foundations for American confidence in their military forces and the historical use of heroic, chivalric shape-shifters, the article discusses how shape-shifters with these ideals allow a heroic figure to emerge despite the violent actions he or she might perpetrate. The article uses ancient texts, military laws and oaths, military philosophies, animal behaviour texts, urban fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal romance to show how shape-shifters' association with noble causes and military affiliations allows authorized violence and has resulted in a militarized heroic shape-shifter ideal.