The Myth, the Hero, and the Epic Mr. Hill Pre-AP English I

Myth Myth A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that shapes the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth. A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that shapes the worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of society: the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth. "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Jan "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Jan

Myth (other definitions) Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth.Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth. A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia.A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia. A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology.A fiction or half-truth, especially one that forms part of an ideology. A fictitious story, person, or thing: "German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff).A fictitious story, person, or thing: "German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff). [New Latin mthus, from Late Latin mthos, from Greek mūthos.] "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Jan

Mythos the underlying system of beliefs, esp. those dealing with supernatural forces, characteristic of a particular cultural group. the underlying system of beliefs, esp. those dealing with supernatural forces, characteristic of a particular cultural group. "mythos." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 30 Jan

Mythology Two broad approaches to the study of Myth: Two broad approaches to the study of Myth: –Comparative: the comparison of similarities and differences between or among belief systems –Particularist: breaking down individual myth systems and analyzing them

Functions of Myth Instills a sense of awe and/or mystery Instills a sense of awe and/or mystery Explains the world Explains the world Maintains a culture’s social order/identity Maintains a culture’s social order/identity

Categories of Myth Pure Myth: Pure Myth: –Ancient form of science that uses religious stories to explain: natural phenomena natural phenomena man’s relationship to God or the gods man’s relationship to God or the gods –Often answers the big “why” questions.

Categories of Myth Heroic Myth Heroic Myth –Primitive form of history; –Most important functions are: the establishment of a glorious past for a people and the establishment of a glorious past for a people and to set forth the near-perfect example of how they should live (teaches values) to set forth the near-perfect example of how they should live (teaches values)

Archetype & the Collective Unconscious Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist)‏ Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist)‏ Jung states that, behind each individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-off residue of the past) lies the ‘collective unconscious’ of the human race (thoughts, feelings and inferences which are believed to be passed on from generation to generation and which influence the behavior of the individual.)‏ Jung states that, behind each individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-off residue of the past) lies the ‘collective unconscious’ of the human race (thoughts, feelings and inferences which are believed to be passed on from generation to generation and which influence the behavior of the individual.)‏

Archetype & the Collective Unconscious This unconscious memory makes powerfully effective for us a group of ‘primordial images’ shaped by the repeated experience of our ancestors and expressed in myths, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature. This unconscious memory makes powerfully effective for us a group of ‘primordial images’ shaped by the repeated experience of our ancestors and expressed in myths, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature.

Archetype In Jungian psychology, archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. In Jungian psychology, archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. A reader would use the term archetype for any image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in literature, myth, religion, folklore. It would evoke a strong response in us. A reader would use the term archetype for any image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in literature, myth, religion, folklore. It would evoke a strong response in us.

The Half-human

The Wicked Stepmother

The Beast Who Yearns for the Love of an Innocent Beauty

The Beautiful Garden

Initiation into Life

The Loss of Innocence

Other Archetypes Sidekick- helper Sidekick- helper –The hero’s “sidekick;” usually has his own abilities but somehow lacks the necessary traits of being a hero himself.

Other Archetypes Mentor Mentor –“wise old man;” gives the hero wisdom and often has trained and helped the hero develop his abilities

Other Archetypes Femme Fatale Femme Fatale –“Deadly Lady”; a temptress who seeks to destroy the Hero or keep him from completing this mission (often is truly attracted to the hero and vice versa.)

Other Archetypes Good (or Earth) Mother Good (or Earth) Mother –Opposite the Femme Fatale; she possesses all the positive aspects of life (protection, warmth, nurturing, sustenance.)

Father Figure Father Figure –Represents all that the hero is trying to attain or find in his search –Possesses or is involved in a secret that can change the hero’s destiny

Other Archetypes Trickster Trickster –Many times a “helper” to the hero –Although he/she may often cause problems or “mess things up,” he/she does not want to hurt the hero.

Nemesis Nemesis –The hero’s “sworn enemy” who oftentimes is the reason for many of the hero’s trials, adventures, and temptations. –The nemesis is a perfect adversary for the hero, usually evenly matched in ability yet opposite in temperament or values.

Other Archetypes Nemesis Nemesis –The hero can never seem to destroy his nemesis; he merely banishes or imprisons him for a short time.

Character Archetypes Hero: Embodies the values of a society and gives an example for proper behavior Hero: Embodies the values of a society and gives an example for proper behavior

The Hero

Hero: the Primitive Hero Usually a slayer of monsters or other ghastly menaces Usually a slayer of monsters or other ghastly menaces

Hero: the Primitive Hero Examples: Beowulf, Conan, Ripley from Alien Examples: Beowulf, Conan, Ripley from Alien

Hero: the Warrior Hero Fights for personal glory and/or a dying or doomed culture or cause Fights for personal glory and/or a dying or doomed culture or cause –Has no fear of death –Lives by a rigid code of conduct –Seeks to create or revive a society

Hero: the Warrior Hero Examples: Examples: –Achilles –Rambo –King Arthur –Hercules –William Wallace

Hero: the Metaphysical Hero On a quest for enlightenment or an unusual, very spiritual journey. The conflict is against himself as he conquers selfish urges and undergoes great temptation. On a quest for enlightenment or an unusual, very spiritual journey. The conflict is against himself as he conquers selfish urges and undergoes great temptation.

Metaphysical Hero Examples from fiction?

Common Hero Patterns Born under unusual circumstances (Moses: Born under unusual circumstances (Moses: While young-exiled or placed in harm’s way in an attempt to be killed While young-exiled or placed in harm’s way in an attempt to be killed Son/daughter of a great king or deity Son/daughter of a great king or deity Marked for greatness by prophecy or physical trait Marked for greatness by prophecy or physical trait

Common Hero Patterns Must prove his “royal” claim by test or trial Must prove his “royal” claim by test or trial Accomplishes great deeds for his people Accomplishes great deeds for his people Mysterious or ambiguous death Mysterious or ambiguous death A suggestion or promise that the hero will someday return to reward or rescue A suggestion or promise that the hero will someday return to reward or rescue

Joseph Cambell and the Monomyth Joseph Campbell wrote extensively about world mythology in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. He applied Jung’s idea of archetypes to study myths of various cultures. During his studies he came to a stunning conclusion: that heroic myths from various cultures follow the same pattern. Joseph Campbell wrote extensively about world mythology in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. He applied Jung’s idea of archetypes to study myths of various cultures. During his studies he came to a stunning conclusion: that heroic myths from various cultures follow the same pattern.

Campbell used the term “monomyth” to describe this pattern—with thousands of myths from all over the world, essentially they are telling the same story: the hero's journey. Campbell used the term “monomyth” to describe this pattern—with thousands of myths from all over the world, essentially they are telling the same story: the hero's journey.

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation 1.Call to Adventure

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation 1.Call to Adventure-point in the person’s life when they first notice that things will change. 2.Refusal of the Call-this is the point when the hero is not ready to take on his duty.

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation 1.Call to Adventure 2.Refusal of the Call 3.Supernatural Aid- once the hero accepts his duty, a magical being or helper will appear.

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation 1.Call to Adventure 2.Refusal of the Call 3.Supernatural Aid 4.Crossing the Threshold- at a point he is moving over into the new world

The Hero's Journey Stage I: Separation Stage I: Separation 1.Call to Adventure 2.Refusal of the Call 3.Supernatural Aid 4.Crossing the Threshold 5.The Belly of the Whale- represents the final separation; dark or trial filled time, showing they would like to accept the journey.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials- series of test and ordeals the hero goes through; he fails some, but he overcomes and learns.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials 2.Meeting with the Goddess- person experiences a love that empowers him. The love is unconditional.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials 2.Meeting with the Goddess 3.Woman as Temptress- her job is to lure the hero away from his quest.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials 2.Meeting with the Goddess 3.Woman as Temptress 4.Atonement with the Father- Climax of the story. It’s where the hero meets the person who has equal or more power than the hero & the hero has to learn something very important from him to be the new and improved hero.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials 2.Meeting with the Goddess 3.Woman as Temptress 4.Atonement with the Father 5.Apotheosis-the stage where the hero finds inner peace, has great strength; and he feels fulfilled to move on and complete the journey.

The Hero's Journey Stage II: Initiation Stage II: Initiation 1.Road of Trials 2.Meeting with the Goddess 3.Woman as Temptress 4.Atonement with the Father 5.Apotheosis 6.The Ultimate Boon-achieve the success of whatever it was the hero was fighting.

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return- does not want to go back to his old life and be ‘normal’

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return 2.Magic Flight- back home with magic

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return 2.Magic Flight 3.Rescue from Without (outside)- help to get back

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return 2.Magic Flight 3.Rescue from Without (outside) 4.Crossing the Return Threshold- returns home, but has to maintain a balance between what he has learned and the normalcy of being back home.

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return 2.Magic Flight 3.Rescue from Without (outside) 4.Crossing the Return Threshold- 5.Master of the Two Worlds

The Hero's Journey Stage III: Return Stage III: Return 1.Refusal of the Return 2.Magic Flight 3.Rescue from Without (outside) 4.Crossing the Return Threshold 5.Master of the Two Worlds-journey back, achieves balance between material and spiritual. Maintaining heroicness and normalness. 6.Freedom to Live- free of fear

The Epic Long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. Long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society. –Most epics include elements of myth, legend, folk tale, and history. –Tone is serious and language is grand