1. The Heroic Cycle
Myths, Heroes, Quests

2. Carl Jung 1875 – 1961 Swiss psychologist/ psychiatrist
Collaborator and friend of Freud
Collective unconscious = inherited fantasy life
Archetypes = basic components of human psychic nature
The hero = an important archetype
Explanation of the Archetype – Jung
“Just as the human body shows a common anatomy over and above all racial differences, so, too, the human psyche possesses a common substratum transcending all differences in culture and consciousness.”
Collective unconscious = a pool of inherited psychic residue accumulated since the beginning of the human race, an echo of the sum of experience accessible to all humans, that manifests itself through archetypes, or patterns of expression. 2

3. Joseph Campbell 1904 – 1988 Mythologist, college professor, author
Campbell’s big contribution: definition of a hero [from mythical to ordinary human]
Path with specific stages, all of which the potential hero must travel
The Matrix: Inspired by Joseph Campbell
- While you watch this, think of movies you have watched recently. Can you apply these stages to a recent movie?
Photo from 3

4. The Power of Myths They build civilizations They create empires
They start wars
They influence the lives of millions
“Myth” is derived from the Greek “Mythos”
“Mythos” – word or story
Humans have traditionally used stories to describe or explain things that they could not explain otherwise
Ancient myths were stories by means of which our ancestors were able to assimilate the mysteries that occurred around them and within them

5. The Power of Myths
We should take myths seriously even though some of us might think they sound silly or childish
Myths connect the relationship of the known and the unknown
Each culture considers its myths to be true at that given period
Some people view Christianity as mythology. Think of how our country was established. Think of how Christianity has influenced your life even if you are not a Christian.
A Host of Heroes : TedEd

6. The Power of Myths What are Myths?
An anonymous story that presents supernatural episodes as a means of interpreting natural events
They are stories that answer people’s most basic questions about the mysteries of life
Things that cannot be answered were created by myths
They explain the human experience
They tell us who we are, where we came from, and what we believe in
They explain our place in the universe

7. The Power of Myths
Two of the most common types of questions answered with myth:
1. Where did we come from?
2. How was the world created?
- Imagine trying to answer these without any background knowledge or without modern science
Joseph Campbell : Star Wars

8. The Monomyth Monomyth = One Story = Heroic Quest
Journey taken in search of something valuable: Object, Person, Concept
Pattern:
Hero accepts call (B is going to kill Grendel)
Hero leaves community (B goes to Hrothgar)
Hero goes on a dangerous journey filled with adventure (B kills Grendel and his mother)
Hero successfully shows his prowess against powerful enemies with help from the supernatural (B has God and fate on his side)
Hero returns to community with fruits of the journey (B’s name will live on forever and he also has treasure)

9. DEPARTURE --- FULFILLMENT --- RETURN
The Monomyth
DEPARTURE --- FULFILLMENT --- RETURN
Two Types of Deeds
Physical Deed – War Act, Saving Lives, Sacrifice (Unconscious and Conscious)
Psychological Deed / Spiritual Deed – Found mode of experiencing supernatural and communicated it. Has seen god(s), gone to death, come back

10. The Monomyth: Words to Know
Archetype – Universal pattern or model that serves as a basis for different but related versions of a character, plot, or theme
Pantheon – “All Gods” – deities personify the abstract value (wisdom, love, justice, anger) and concrete forces (wind, sea, rain, moon)
Motif – A word, image, character, object, theme, or idea that recurs in a work or several works of literature
Allegory – A symbolic narrative; abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material form

11. The Hero and the Quest
Epic Hero – main character of an epic and embodies the values of a particular society he represents
Almost every culture has a mythic hero
Might wear a different “costume,” but is the same underneath
Can be a male or female
Usually has a remarkable birth
Often the offspring of a god
Usually possesses qualities of both immortals and mortals
Early signs or being special

12. The Hero and the Quest Quests:
A journey taken in search of something of value
Often aided by others
Doesn’t always go smoothly – usually runs into problems (makes it more entertaining)
Temptation
Flaw in character
May involve a descent into the underworld or dark place
Could involve greatest sacrifice of all – giving own life

13. Archetypes
Before we discuss other archetypes, I want you to think about fairy tales, folk tales, movies, and various forms of literature…
What types of “characters” commonly show up in stories?
Campbell discussed the Samurai Sword Master / The Old Man as the Teacher

14. The Heroic Cycle

15. The Heroic Cycle

16. Questions to Consider
Why does the heroic cycle still exist in modern entertainment?
Where do you see the heroic cycle in modern entertainment?
What have you recently read or watched that makes you think of the heroic cycle?
What do you think about the collective unconscious?
TED Link

17. Lord of the Rings
Bilbo and Frodo Baggins are excellent examples of the heroic cycle
Clash of the Gods: Tolkien’s Monsters
(Beo: 19:50 min)
Clash of the Gods: Beowulf