The Hero and The Journey

The Hero and The Journey

Myth Week 8 - Brandon Reece

What Makes A Hero?

Definitions

  • Understanding various archetypes and definitions of heroes in mythological and literary contexts.

Types of Heroes

Superhero

  • Definition (Dictionary.com): A figure, especially in a comic strip or cartoon, endowed with superhuman powers and usually portrayed as fighting evil or crime.

  • Definition (Merriam-Webster): A fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also: an exceptionally skillful or successful person.

Anti Hero

  • Characters who display flaws and imperfections, often challenging traditional notions of heroism.

Romantic Hero

  • Definition: A literary archetype that rejects established norms and conventions, often central to their own existence.

    • Often rejected by society, placing primary focus on their thoughts rather than actions.

Byronic Hero

  • Definition: A variant of the Romantic hero, named after the English Romantic poet Lord Byron.

    • Defined by traits such as being brooding, rebellious, and often displaying a troubled past.

Culture Hero

  • Definition: A mythological hero specific to a cultural or ethnic group, credited with changing the world through inventions or discoveries.

    • Figures may be credited with discoveries like fire, agriculture, or foundational laws.

Folk Hero

  • Definition: A real, fictional, or mythological hero whose name and deeds are imprinted in the consciousness of a people.

    • Their impact is evidenced through folk songs, folklore, and modern tropes in literature and film.

Reluctant Hero

  • Definition: An ordinary character with faults or a troubled past who is pulled reluctantly into heroic acts.

    • Often questions their role in heroism, adding to the narrative tension.

Tragic Hero

  • Definition: The protagonist of a tragedy, as defined by Aristotle in his Poetics.

    • Characteristics include facing downfall due to a tragic flaw or system of fate, often depicted in Greek literature (e.g., Sophocles, Euripides).

Youxia

  • Definition: An ancient Chinese warrior folk hero, celebrated in poetry and literature, meaning "wandering vigilante" or commonly translated as "knight-errant."

Heroic Fantasy

  • Definition: A subgenre of fiction, also known as "sword-and-sorcery," featuring action and adventure set in imaginary worlds where magic exists.

    • Described as escape fiction, it allows readers to venture into worlds filled with strength, beauty, and simplicity, free from societal complexities.

    • Quote: "…such a story combines the color and dash of the historical costume romance with the atavistic supernatural thrills of the weird, occult, or ghost story…" — L. Sprague de Camp

Structural Analysis

Propp

  • Vladimir Propp's Analysis of Russian Fairy Tales: Concluded that a fairy tale contains eight dramatis personae, including the hero.

    • Hero's actions include:

      • Departure on a quest

      • Reacting to the test of a donor

      • Marrying a princess or similar figure.

    • Seeker vs. Victim Heroes:

      • Seeker heroes: Initiate their quests due to dissatisfaction or need for something greater.

      • Victim heroes: React to antagonists initiating their fate (e.g., kidnapping).

Propp’s Hero Character Functions

  • 7 Broad Character Functions:

    • The villain: Creates struggles for the hero.

    • The dispatcher: Sends the hero on their quest.

    • The helper: Provides assistance, often a magical entity.

    • The princess or prize: Deserved by the hero during their journey.

    • The donor: Provides the hero with magical aid or preparation.

    • The hero: Reacts to the situations presented by other characters.

    • The false hero: Takes credit for the hero's achievements.

Hero Archetypes According to Rank and Campbell

Rank's Hero Characteristics

  1. Child of distinguished parents.

  2. Father is a king.

  3. Difficulty in conception.

  4. Prophecy warning against birth.

  5. Hero surrendered to water in a box.

  6. Saved by animals or lowly people.

  7. Suckled by a female animal or humble woman.

  8. Hero grows up.

  9. Hero finds distinguished parents.

  10. Hero takes revenge on the father.

  11. Acknowledged by people.

  12. Achieves rank and honors.

Raglan's Hero Characteristics

  1. Mother is a royal virgin.

  2. Father is a king.

  3. Father often a near relative to mother.

  4. Unusual conception.

  5. Hero reputed to be the son of god.

  6. Attempt to kill hero in infancy (often by the father or maternal grandfather).

  7. Hero spirited away as a child.

  8. Reared by foster parents in a far country.

  9. No details of childhood.

  10. Returns or goes to future kingdom.

  11. Victorious over king, giant, dragon, or wild beast.

  12. Marries a princess (often daughter of the predecessor).

  13. Becomes king.

  14. Reigns uneventfully for a time.

  15. Prescribes laws.

  16. Later loses favor with gods or subjects.

  17. Driven from throne and city.

  18. Meets with mysterious death.

  19. Often at the top of a hill.

  20. His children, if any, do not succeed him.

  21. His body is not buried.

  22. Has one or more holy sepulchers or tombs.

Campbell's Hero's Journey

  • Stages of the Hero's Journey:

    • The hero undergoes a transformative journey, often following a structure known as the Monomyth.

    • Integration Themes:

    • Healing the wounded masculine.

    • Gathering allies and identification with masculine traits.

    • Initiation relating to encounters with ogres and dragons.

    • Awakening feelings of spiritual aridity, indicative of a life and journey.

    • The heroine's journey highlights conflict and resolution between masculine and feminine energies.

The Hero's Journey in Star Wars

  1. The Ordinary World: The predictable environment in which the hero exists.

    • Example: Luke grows up on a quiet moisture farm.

  2. The Call to Adventure: An event that disrupts the hero's ordinary world.

    • Example: Artoo reveals part of Leia’s message to Luke; Ben urges him to join the rebellion.

  3. Refusal of the Call: The hero shows reluctance.

    • Example: Owen plays on Luke's guilt to keep him on the farm.

  4. Meeting the Mentor: A wise figure offers guidance.

    • Example: Ben Kenobi aids Luke.

  5. Crossing the First Threshold: The hero commits to the journey.

    • Example: Luke leaves his destroyed farm and Tatooine.

  6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies: The hero encounters challenges and builds alliances.

    • Example: Luke faces rascals in the Mos Eisley cantina and trains with Ben on the Falcon.

  7. Approach to the Innermost Cave: The hero faces increased danger.

    • Example: Luke enters the Death Star.

  8. The Supreme Ordeal: The hero faces critical challenges, all hope may seem lost.

    • Example: Luke is trapped in the trash compactor.

  9. Reward: Seizing the Sword: The hero overcomes challenges and is rewarded.

    • Example: Luke rescues Leia, finds the secret plans, and escapes the Death Star.

  10. The Road Back: The hero must confront obstacles after comfort.

    • Example: Darth Vader kills Ben Kenobi.

  11. Resurrection: The hero's ultimate confrontation leads to transformation.

    • Example: Luke destroys the Death Star.

  12. Return with the Elixir: The hero returns home transformed.

    • Example: Luke, Han, and Chewbacca receive awards and accolades.

The Purpose of Art

  • Explored through literary works, symbolizing salvation for everyone and reflecting on interpersonal connections.

  • Mentioned Works: The Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac.

    • Describes an experience of enlightenment and challenges.

  • Another work: Desolation Angels, showcasing issues surrounding the artist's journey and societal reflections.

Myths

  • Exploration of various myths and their influential characters.

    • Notable Figures: Theseus, Buddha, Cucculain, Fionn.

Reflections and Upcoming Assignments

  • Weeks 8-13 Reflection #3 due in Week 9.

  • Analytical Assignment #2 due in Week 11.

  • Final Exam in Week 13.