the myth, the hero, and the epic mr. hill pre-ap english i

The The Myth, the Myth, the

Hero, Hero, and the and the

EpicEpic

Mr. HillMr. Hill

Pre-AP English IPre-AP English I

MythMyth A traditional, typically ancient story A traditional, typically ancient story

dealing with supernatural beings, dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes that shapes the ancestors, or heroes that shapes the worldview of a people, as by worldview of a people, as by explaining aspects of the natural explaining aspects of the natural world or delineating the psychology, world or delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals of societycustoms, or ideals of society: : the the myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth of Eros and Psyche; a creation myth.myth.

"myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009. <Dictionary.com Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://http://dictionary.reference.comdictionary.reference.com/browse/myth/browse/myth>.>.

Myth (other Myth (other definitions)definitions)

•Such stories considered as a group: Such stories considered as a group: the realm of myth.the realm of myth.

•A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal: a star a star whose fame turned her into a myth; the pioneer myth of suburbia.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: A fictitious story, person, or thing: "German artillery superiority on the Western "German artillery superiority on the Western Front was a myth"Front was a myth" (Leon Wolff).(Leon Wolff).

[New Latin mȳthus, from Late Latin mȳthos, from Greek mūthos.] [New Latin mȳthus, from Late Latin mȳthos, from Greek mūthos.]

"myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth "myth." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009. <Dictionary.com Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 30 Jan. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/myth>.>.

MythosMythos the underlying system of beliefs, esp. the underlying system of beliefs, esp.

those dealing with supernatural forces, those dealing with supernatural forces, characteristic of a particular cultural characteristic of a particular cultural group.group.

"mythos." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 30 Jan. 2009. "mythos." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 30 Jan. 2009. <Dictionary.com <Dictionary.com http://http://dictionary.reference.comdictionary.reference.com/browse/mythos/browse/mythos>.>.

MythologyMythology

Two broad approaches to the Two broad approaches to the study of Myth:study of Myth:– Comparative: the comparison of Comparative: the comparison of

similarities and differences similarities and differences between or among belief between or among belief systemssystems

– Particularist: breaking down Particularist: breaking down individual myth systems and individual myth systems and analyzing themanalyzing them

Functions of MythFunctions of Myth

Instills a sense of awe and/or Instills a sense of awe and/or mysterymystery

Explains the worldExplains the world Maintains a culture’s social Maintains a culture’s social

order/identityorder/identity

Categories of MythCategories of Myth

Pure Myth:Pure Myth:– Ancient form of science that Ancient form of science that

uses religious stories to explain:uses religious stories to explain: natural phenomenanatural phenomena man’s relationship to God or the man’s relationship to God or the

gods gods

– Often answers the big “why” Often answers the big “why” questionsquestions..

Categories of MythCategories of Myth

Heroic MythHeroic Myth– Primitive form of history; Primitive form of history; – Most important functions are:Most important functions are:

the establishment of a glorious the establishment of a glorious past for a people and past for a people and

to set forth the near-perfect to set forth the near-perfect example of how they should live example of how they should live (teaches values)(teaches values)

Archetype & the Archetype & the Collective UnconsciousCollective Unconscious

Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist)Carl Jung (Swiss Psychologist) Jung states that, behind each Jung states that, behind each

individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-individual’s ‘unconscious’ (the blocked-off residue of the past) lies the off residue of the past) lies the ‘‘collective unconsciouscollective unconscious’ of the human ’ of the human race (race (thoughts, feelings and inferences thoughts, feelings and inferences which are believed to be passed on which are believed to be passed on from generation to generation and from generation to generation and which influence the behavior of the which influence the behavior of the individualindividual.).)

Archetype & the Archetype & the Collective UnconsciousCollective Unconscious This unconscious memory makes This unconscious memory makes

powerfully effective for us a group powerfully effective for us a group of ‘primordial images’ shaped by of ‘primordial images’ shaped by the the repeated experiencerepeated experience of our of our ancestors and expressed in ancestors and expressed in myths, religion, dreams, myths, religion, dreams, fantasies, and literature. fantasies, and literature.

ArchetypeArchetype

In Jungian psychology, archetype is an In Jungian psychology, archetype is an inherited pattern of thought or inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience and present past collective experience and present in the individual unconscious. in the individual unconscious.

A reader would use the term archetype A reader would use the term archetype for any image, pattern, or character for any image, pattern, or character type that occurs frequently in type that occurs frequently in literature, myth, religion, folklore. It literature, myth, religion, folklore. It would evoke a strong response in us. would evoke a strong response in us.

The Half-humanThe Half-human

The Wicked The Wicked StepmotherStepmother

The Beast Who Yearns for The Beast Who Yearns for the Love of an Innocent the Love of an Innocent BeautyBeauty

The Beautiful GardenThe Beautiful Garden

Initiation into LifeInitiation into Life

The Loss of InnocenceThe Loss of Innocence

Other ArchetypesOther Archetypes

Sidekick- helperSidekick- helper– The hero’s “sidekick;” usually The hero’s “sidekick;” usually

has his own abilities but has his own abilities but somehow lacks the necessary somehow lacks the necessary traits of being a hero himself.traits of being a hero himself.

Other ArchetypesOther Archetypes MentorMentor

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

Other ArchetypesOther Archetypes Femme Fatale (French oh la la)Femme Fatale (French oh la la)

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

Other ArchetypesOther Archetypes Good (or Earth) MotherGood (or Earth) Mother

– Opposite the Femme Fatale; Opposite the Femme Fatale; she possesses all the positive she possesses all the positive aspects of life (protection, aspects of life (protection, warmth, nurturing, sustenance.)warmth, nurturing, sustenance.)

Father FigureFather Figure– Represents all that the hero is trying Represents all that the hero is trying

to attain or find in his searchto attain or find in his search

– Possesses or is involved in a secret Possesses or is involved in a secret that can change the hero’s destinythat can change the hero’s destiny


TricksterTrickster– Many times a “helper” to the Many times a “helper” to the

herohero– Although he/she may often Although he/she may often

cause problems or “mess things cause problems or “mess things up,” he/she does not want to up,” he/she does not want to hurt the hero.hurt the hero.

NemesisNemesis– The hero’s “sworn enemy” who The hero’s “sworn enemy” who

oftentimes is the reason for many of oftentimes is the reason for many of the hero’s trials, adventures, and the hero’s trials, adventures, and temptations. temptations.

– The nemesis is a perfect adversary The nemesis is a perfect adversary for the hero, usually evenly matched for the hero, usually evenly matched in ability yet opposite in in ability yet opposite in temperament or values.temperament or values.


NemesisNemesis– The hero can never seem to The hero can never seem to

destroy his nemesis; he merely destroy his nemesis; he merely banishes or imprisons him for a banishes or imprisons him for a short time.short time.

Character ArchetypesCharacter Archetypes

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

The HeroThe Hero

Hero: the Primitive Hero: the Primitive HeroHeroHero: the Primitive Hero: the Primitive HeroHero

Usually a slayer of Usually a slayer of monsters or other ghastly monsters or other ghastly menacesmenaces

Hero: the Primitive Hero: the Primitive HeroHero Examples: Beowulf, Conan, Examples: Beowulf, Conan,

Ripley from AlienRipley from Alien

Hero: the Warrior HeroHero: the Warrior Hero Fights for personal glory Fights for personal glory

and/or a dying or and/or a dying or doomed culture or causedoomed culture or cause– Has no fear of deathHas no fear of death

– Lives by a rigid code of Lives by a rigid code of conductconduct

– Seeks to create or revive Seeks to create or revive a societya society

Hero: the Warrior HeroHero: the Warrior Hero

Examples:Examples: – AchillesAchilles– RamboRambo– King ArthurKing Arthur– HerculesHercules– William WallaceWilliam Wallace

Hero: the Metaphysical Hero: the Metaphysical HeroHero On a quest for enlightenment On a quest for enlightenment

or an unusual, very spiritual or an unusual, very spiritual journey. The conflict is against journey. The conflict is against himself as he conquers selfish himself as he conquers selfish urges and undergoes great urges and undergoes great temptation.temptation.

Metaphysical HeroMetaphysical HeroExamples from fiction?Examples from fiction?

Common Hero PatternsCommon Hero Patterns

Born under unusual circumstancesBorn under unusual circumstances Son/daughter of a great king or deitySon/daughter of a great king or deity Marked for greatness by prophecy or Marked for greatness by prophecy or

physical traitphysical trait While young-exiled or placed in While young-exiled or placed in

harm’s way in an attempt to be harm’s way in an attempt to be killedkilled

Common Hero PatternsCommon Hero Patterns

Must prove his “royal” claim by Must prove his “royal” claim by test or trialtest or trial

Accomplishes great deeds for his Accomplishes great deeds for his peoplepeople

Mysterious or ambiguous deathMysterious or ambiguous death A suggestion or promise that the A suggestion or promise that the

hero will someday return to hero will someday return to reward or rescuereward or rescue

Joseph Cambell Joseph Cambell and the Monomythand the Monomyth

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

Campbell used the term “monomyth” to Campbell used the term “monomyth” to describe this pattern—with thousands of describe this pattern—with thousands of myths from all over the world, essentially myths from all over the world, essentially they are telling the same story: the hero's they are telling the same story: the hero's journey. An enthusiast of novelist journey. An enthusiast of novelist James JoyceJames Joyce,,[2][2] Campbell borrowed the Campbell borrowed the term term monomythmonomyth from Joyce's from Joyce's FinnegansFinnegans Wake Wake..[3][3]

““A hero ventures forth from the world of A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.” -Joseph Campbell on his fellow man.” -Joseph Campbell introduction to The Hero with a Thousand introduction to The Hero with a Thousand Faces.Faces.

The Hero's JourneyThe Hero's Journey

Stage I: Departure/SeparationStage I: Departure/Separation


Stage I: SeparationStage I: Separation1.1.Call to AdventureCall to Adventure

The Call to Adventure The Call to Adventure

• The call to adventure is the point The call to adventure is the point in a person's life when they are in a person's life when they are first given notice that everything first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they is going to change, whether they know it or not. know it or not.



2.2.Refusal of the CallRefusal of the Call

Refusal of the Call Refusal of the Call

• Often when the call is given, the Often when the call is given, the future hero refuses to heed it. future hero refuses to heed it. This may be from a sense of duty This may be from a sense of duty or obligation, fear, insecurity, a or obligation, fear, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any of a sense of inadequacy, or any of a range of reasons that work to range of reasons that work to hold the person in his or her hold the person in his or her current circumstances. current circumstances.




3.3.Supernatural AidSupernatural Aid

Supernatural Aid Supernatural Aid

• Once the hero has committed to Once the hero has committed to the quest, consciously or the quest, consciously or unconsciously, his or her guide unconsciously, his or her guide and magical helper appears, or and magical helper appears, or becomes known. becomes known.





4.4.Crossing the ThresholdCrossing the Threshold

The Crossing of the The Crossing of the First Threshold First Threshold

• This is the point where the person This is the point where the person actually crosses into the field of actually crosses into the field of adventure, leaving the known adventure, leaving the known limits of his or her world and limits of his or her world and venturing into an unknown and venturing into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known. and limits are not known.





4.4.Crossing the ThresholdCrossing the Threshold

5.5.The Belly of the WhaleThe Belly of the Whale

The Belly of the Whale The Belly of the Whale

• The belly of the whale represents the final The belly of the whale represents the final separation from the hero's known world and self. separation from the hero's known world and self. It is sometimes described as the person's lowest It is sometimes described as the person's lowest point, but it is actually the point when the person point, but it is actually the point when the person is between or transitioning between worlds and is between or transitioning between worlds and selves. The separation has been made, or is being selves. The separation has been made, or is being made, or being fully recognized between the old made, or being fully recognized between the old world and old self and the potential for a new world and old self and the potential for a new world/self. The experiences that will shape the world/self. The experiences that will shape the new world and self will begin shortly, or may be new world and self will begin shortly, or may be beginning with this experience which is often beginning with this experience which is often symbolized by something dark, unknown and symbolized by something dark, unknown and frightening. By entering this stage, the person frightening. By entering this stage, the person shows their willingness to undergo a shows their willingness to undergo a metamorphosis, to die to him or herself. metamorphosis, to die to him or herself.


Stage II: InitiationStage II: Initiation


Stage II: InitiationStage II: Initiation1.1.Road of TrialsRoad of Trials

The Road of Trials The Road of Trials

• The road of trials is a series of The road of trials is a series of tests, tasks, or ordeals that the tests, tasks, or ordeals that the person must undergo to begin the person must undergo to begin the transformation. Often the person transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests, fails one or more of these tests, which often occur in threes. which often occur in threes.



2.2.Meeting with the GoddessMeeting with the Goddess

The Meeting with the The Meeting with the Goddess Goddess • The meeting with the goddess represents the point in The meeting with the goddess represents the point in

the adventure when the person experiences a love the adventure when the person experiences a love that has the power and significance of the all-that has the power and significance of the all-powerful, all encompassing, unconditional love that a powerful, all encompassing, unconditional love that a fortunate infant may experience with his or her fortunate infant may experience with his or her mother. It is also known as the "hieros gamos", or mother. It is also known as the "hieros gamos", or sacred marriage, the union of opposites, and may take sacred marriage, the union of opposites, and may take place entirely within the person. In other words, the place entirely within the person. In other words, the person begins to see him or herself in a non-dualistic person begins to see him or herself in a non-dualistic way. This is a very important step in the process and way. This is a very important step in the process and is often represented by the person finding the other is often represented by the person finding the other person that he or she loves most completely. Although person that he or she loves most completely. Although Campbell symbolizes this step as a meeting with a Campbell symbolizes this step as a meeting with a goddess, unconditional love and /or self unification goddess, unconditional love and /or self unification does not have to be represented by a woman.does not have to be represented by a woman.




3.3.Woman as TemptressWoman as Temptress

Woman as the Woman as the Temptress Temptress • At one level, this step is about those temptations At one level, this step is about those temptations

that may lead the hero to abandon or stray from that may lead the hero to abandon or stray from his or her quest, which as with the Meeting with his or her quest, which as with the Meeting with the Goddess does not necessarily have to be the Goddess does not necessarily have to be represented by a woman. For Campbell, represented by a woman. For Campbell, however, this step is about the revulsion that the however, this step is about the revulsion that the usually male hero may feel about his own usually male hero may feel about his own fleshy/earthy nature, and the subsequent fleshy/earthy nature, and the subsequent attachment or projection of that revulsion to attachment or projection of that revulsion to women. Woman is a metaphor for the physical or women. Woman is a metaphor for the physical or material temptations of life, since the hero-material temptations of life, since the hero-knight was often tempted by lust from his knight was often tempted by lust from his spiritual journey. spiritual journey.





4.4.Atonement with the FatherAtonement with the Father

Atonement with the Atonement with the Father Father • In this step the person must confront and be initiated In this step the person must confront and be initiated

by whatever holds the ultimate power in his or her life. by whatever holds the ultimate power in his or her life. In many myths and stories this is the father, or a In many myths and stories this is the father, or a father figure who has life and death power. This is the father figure who has life and death power. This is the center point of the journey. All the previous steps center point of the journey. All the previous steps have been moving in to this place, all that follow will have been moving in to this place, all that follow will move out from it. Although this step is most frequently move out from it. Although this step is most frequently symbolized by an encounter with a male entity, it does symbolized by an encounter with a male entity, it does not have to be a male; just someone or thing with not have to be a male; just someone or thing with incredible power. For the transformation to take place, incredible power. For the transformation to take place, the person as he or she has been must be "killed" so the person as he or she has been must be "killed" so that the new self can come into being. Sometime this that the new self can come into being. Sometime this killing is literal, and the earthly journey for that killing is literal, and the earthly journey for that character is either over or moves into a different character is either over or moves into a different realm. realm.






5.5.ApotheosisApotheosis

Apotheosis Apotheosis

• To apotheosize is to deify. When To apotheosize is to deify. When someone dies a physical death, or dies someone dies a physical death, or dies to the self to live in spirit, he or she to the self to live in spirit, he or she moves beyond the pairs of opposites to moves beyond the pairs of opposites to a state of divine knowledge, love, a state of divine knowledge, love, compassion and bliss. This is a god-like compassion and bliss. This is a god-like state; the person is in heaven and state; the person is in heaven and beyond all strife. A more mundane way beyond all strife. A more mundane way of looking at this step is that it is a of looking at this step is that it is a period of rest, peace and fulfillment period of rest, peace and fulfillment before the hero begins the return. before the hero begins the return.






5.5.ApotheosisApotheosis

6.6.The Ultimate BoonThe Ultimate Boon

The Ultimate Boon The Ultimate Boon

• The ultimate boon is the The ultimate boon is the achievement of the goal of the achievement of the goal of the quest. It is what the person went on quest. It is what the person went on the journey to get. All the previous the journey to get. All the previous steps serve to prepare and purify steps serve to prepare and purify the person for this step, since in the person for this step, since in many myths the boon is something many myths the boon is something transcendent like the elixir of life transcendent like the elixir of life itself, or a plant that supplies itself, or a plant that supplies immortality, or the holy grail. immortality, or the holy grail.


Stage III: ReturnStage III: Return


Stage III: ReturnStage III: Return1.1.Refusal of the ReturnRefusal of the Return

Refusal of the Return Refusal of the Return

• So why, when all has been So why, when all has been achieved, the ambrosia has been achieved, the ambrosia has been drunk, and we have conversed drunk, and we have conversed with the gods, why come back to with the gods, why come back to normal life with all its cares and normal life with all its cares and woes? woes?



2.2.Magic FlightMagic Flight

The Magic Flight The Magic Flight

• Sometimes the hero must escape Sometimes the hero must escape with the boon, if it is something with the boon, if it is something that the gods have been jealously that the gods have been jealously guarding. It can be just as guarding. It can be just as adventurous and dangerous adventurous and dangerous returning from the journey as it returning from the journey as it was to go on it. was to go on it.




3.3.Rescue from Without (outside)Rescue from Without (outside)

Rescue from Without Rescue from Without

• Just as the hero may need guides and Just as the hero may need guides and assistants to set out on the quest, often assistants to set out on the quest, often times he or she must have powerful times he or she must have powerful guides and rescuers to bring them back guides and rescuers to bring them back to everyday life, especially if the person to everyday life, especially if the person has been wounded or weakened by the has been wounded or weakened by the experience. Or perhaps the person experience. Or perhaps the person doesn't realize that it is time to return, doesn't realize that it is time to return, that they can return, or that others need that they can return, or that others need their boon. their boon.





4.4.Crossing the Return ThresholdCrossing the Return Threshold

The Crossing of the The Crossing of the Return Threshold Return Threshold

• The trick in returning is to retain The trick in returning is to retain the wisdom gained on the quest, the wisdom gained on the quest, to integrate that wisdom into a to integrate that wisdom into a human life, and then maybe human life, and then maybe figure out how to share the figure out how to share the wisdom with the rest of the world. wisdom with the rest of the world. This is usually extremely difficult. This is usually extremely difficult.






5.5.Master of the Two WorldsMaster of the Two Worlds

Master of the Two Master of the Two Worlds Worlds • In myth, this step is usually In myth, this step is usually

represented by a transcendental represented by a transcendental hero like Jesus or Buddha. For a hero like Jesus or Buddha. For a human hero, it may mean achieving human hero, it may mean achieving a balance between the material and a balance between the material and spiritual. The person has become spiritual. The person has become comfortable and competent in both comfortable and competent in both the inner and outer worlds. the inner and outer worlds.






5.5.Master of the Two WorldsMaster of the Two Worlds

6.6.Freedom to LiveFreedom to Live

Freedom to Live Freedom to Live

• Mastery leads to freedom from the Mastery leads to freedom from the fear of death, which in turn is the fear of death, which in turn is the freedom to live. This is sometimes freedom to live. This is sometimes referred to as living in the moment, referred to as living in the moment, neither anticipating the future nor neither anticipating the future nor regretting the past. regretting the past.

The EpicThe Epic

Long story told in elevated Long story told in elevated language (usually poetry), which language (usually poetry), which relates the great deeds of a larger-relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.values of a particular society.– Most epics include elements of myth, Most epics include elements of myth,

legend, folk tale, and history.legend, folk tale, and history.– Tone is serious and language is grandTone is serious and language is grand

the myth, the hero, and the epic mr. hill pre-ap english i

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