The Archetypal Hero n The “hero” archetype appears in all religions, mythologies, and stories of the world n All hero archetypes share certain characteristics n A “hero” is the expression of a culture’s values n Their function is to give men and women hope for things such as life after death, sense of order, and reprieve from suffering

Jung and Campbell n Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell were two prominent psychologists who developed the idea of the archetype after studying the world’s myths, arts, religions, and stories –Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world Joseph Campbell Carl Jung

Archetypal Hero Traits n Unusual Circumstances of Birth n Leaves Family and Lives With Others n Traumatic Event Leads to Quest or journey n Special Weapon n Supernatural Help n Proves Himself on Quest n Journey and Un-healable Wound n Atonement With Father n Spiritual Apotheosis

Unusual Birth n Often in danger or born into royalty –Luke born into royalty but sent to live with aunt and uncle to escape harm –Simba born a prince –Moses put in basket and sent down the river to avoid danger –Jesus born to the union of God and virgin mother

Leaves Family n Raised away from his people –Luke w/ aunt and uncle –Simba w/ Timon and Poombah –King Arthur w/ Merlin –William Wallace or “Braveheart” with uncle –Moses w/ Pharaoh’s daughter

Traumatic Event n A hero’s life is changed forever –Luke’s aunt and uncle’s death –Wallace’s wife is murdered –Arthur pulls the sword from stone –Simba witnesses his father’s death –God appears to Moses on the mountain

Special Weapon n Only the hero can wield his weapon –Luke’s light saber –Arthur’s sword, Excalibur –Moses’ staff –Wallace’s sword

Supernatural Help n Hero often has spiritual guidance –Luke hears Obi- Wan Kenobi and Yoda –Arthur has Merlin for help –God guides Moses –Wallace dreams of his dead father –Simba sees Mufasa in the sky and has Rafiki help him

Proves Himself n Hero performs brave feats while on Quest –Luke blows up Death Star, leads rebellion –Arthur leads battles with his knights –Moses performs miracles -Wallace leads his men against British

Journey & Unhealable Wound n Hero descends into a hell-like situation or battle and suffers wounding (mental or physical) from encounter w/ evil –Symbolically goes where “normal” or “average” humans can’t and finds truth about self

Atonement With Father n Hero either redeems father’s evil deeds n or reconciles with father over tortured relationship n Makes father proud n Restores father’s reputation or honor

Apotheosis n Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his life n Martyr n Immortality n Heaven

Are Heroes Relevant Today? Heroes are a small part of a culture's mythology. They have been useful for thousands of years as an idealized human, a sort of "super" person, capable of dealing with problems that surpass normal humans and their abilities. Heroes contribute to the society's necessary business of reproducing itself and its values.

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