Creating the Myth Theories behind the most timeless stories

Creating the Myth “Myths are the common stories at the root of our universal existence” “A myth is a story that is more than true” “The myth is the ‘story beneath the story’” Linda Seger- scriptwriter

Jung & Archetypes Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung ( ) named these Mythic Elements... ARCHETYPES –the building blocks not only of the unconscious mind, but of a collective unconscious. –everyone is born with the same basic subconscious model of what a "hero" or a "mentor" or a "quest" is,

Jugian’s Archetypes  Self- the regulating center of the psyche and facilitator of individuation  The Shadow- the opposite of the ego image, often containing qualities that the ego does not identify with but possesses nonetheless  The Anima- the feminine image in a man's psyche  The Animus- the masculine image in a woman's psyche  The Persona- how we present to the world (acts like a mask)

Other Archetypes  The Wise Old Man/Sage: Gandalf/ Obi wan  The Good Mother: Galadriel/ Leia  The Shadow Figure: Saruman/ Darth Vader  The Animal/Beast: Ring Wraiths/ Stormtroopers  The Trickster: Gollum/  The Child: Hobbits/ Droids/ Ewoks  The Hero: Aragorn/ Luke  The Devil or Satan: Sauron/ Emperor Palpatine  The Mentor: Sam/ Yoda

Joseph Campbell: Hero with a Thousand Faces In 1949, Joseph Campbell began a revolution in anthropology with his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Rhythm of plot/character interaction  transformation

Joseph Campbell and Heroes Campbell: All stories are fundamentally the same story, which he named the "Hero's Journey," or the "monomyth."

The Modern Myth – Star Wars George Lucas (a student of both literature and anthropology) used these archetypes and myths to form a central story around his ever expanding Star Wars universe.

Campbell and Myth Joseph Campbell breaks the Hero’s Journey down into three distinct phases: 1.Departure 2. Initiation 3. Return

The Hero Myth Act One: The departure 1.The hero is ordinary. 2.Something new is introduced into the hero’s life:  a problem, a tragedy, or  a catalyst 3.The hero is reluctant. 4.The hero receives help: a mentor

Second Act: The Initiation 5.The hero transforms or the adventure transforms from the ordinary to the extraordinary: the adventure begins. First turning point 6.The hero undergoes numerous tests and obstacles. 7.Often the hero hits rock-bottom. Defeat/death seems imminent. Second turning point.  Black Moment  RE-BIRTH

Third Act: The Return 8.The hero is in charge, but the journey is not yet complete. 9.The road back often involves a chase scene and/or the final obstacles.  “he must return to renew the mundane world”  “… take what he has learned and integrate it into his daily life”.

Third Act: The Return 8.The hero is transformed. S/he leads new life. Often involves a return to the homeland. The hero assumes his/her rightful place in society.

Layered Heroism: Transformations

1. Departure a) The call to adventure b) Refusal of the call c) Supernatural aid d) Crossing the first threshold e) The belly of the whale

Campbell Star Wars a) The call to adventure b) Refusal of the call c) Supernatural aid d) Crossing the first threshold e) The belly of the whale a) Princess Leia's message b) Must help with the harvest c) Obi-wan rescues Luke from sandpeople d) Escaping Tatooine e) Trash compactor

2. Initiation a) The road of trials b) The meeting with the goddess c) Temptation away from the true path d) Atonement with the Father e) Apotheosis (becoming god-like) f) The ultimate boon

Campbell Star Wars a) The road of trials b) The meeting with the goddess c) Temptation away from the true path d) Atonement with the Father e) Apotheosis (becoming god-like) f) The ultimate boon a)Lightsabre practice b) Princess Leia c) Luke is tempted by the Dark Side d) Darth and Luke reconcile e) Luke becomes a Jedi f)Death Star destroyed

3. The Return a) Refusal of the return b) The magic flight c) Rescue from without d) Crossing the return threshold e) Master of the two worlds f) Freedom to live

Campbell Star Wars a) Refusal of the return b) The magic flight c) Rescue from without d) Crossing the return threshold e) Master of the two worlds f) Freedom to live a) "Luke, come on!" Luke wants to stay to avenge Obi-Wan b) Millennium Falcon c) Han saves Luke from Darth d) Millennium Falcon destroys pursuing TIE fighters e) Victory ceremony f) Rebellion is victorious over Empire

The Task Myth A task must be completed in order to win other rewards. Troy The Big Lebowski The Italian Job Kill Bill Others?

The Treasure Myth A search for physical treasure which leads to spiritual re-birth. The Hobbit Pirates of the Caribbean Harry Potter: The Philosopher’s Stone Ocean’s 12 Others?

The Healing Myth  The hero is “broken” and must leave home to become whole again.  A psychological need for rejuvenation and balance  Being “broken” can take several forms. It can be physical, emotional, or psychological.  Witness  The Last Samurai  Others?

The Healing Myth  Act 1: Injury and Escape  Exile to receive healing  Act 2: Learning/Healing  Experiencing/ adopting new live/skills  Act 3: Transformation  Accepting the new life/situation

The Combination Myth Elements of several myths are combined in one story Ghostbusters: Pandora’s box + Hero story Others?

The Persona Myth Adopting another personality in order to understand the self. Tootsie: Disguise Gimmick + Healing Myth Freaky Friday Others?

Myths and ‘stories’ Myths add depth to regular ‘action’ stories Tap into cultural undercurents Key: heroic transformation