star wars and the hero myth - memorial university of ...jporter/15_starwarsmyth_2013.pdf · lucas...

Star Wars and the Hero Myth Luke and Anakin as Mythic Heroes

Joseph Campbell •  Author, Hero with a

Thousand Faces. •  Mythographer •  Comparative analysis

of world’s myths •  Psychologist -

interested in psychological dimensions of myth.

Lucas and Campbell •  Joseph Campbell noted that while mythic

structure is universal, myth itself must be kept fresh through reinterpretation.

•  Every generation must recontextualize myth to suit their times, to create their own road map for how to fit best into the world.

•  After the release of Star Wars , Campbell and Lucas became friends.

•  Campbell credited Lucas with reinvigorating the mythic force in the modern world.

•  Lucas reignited worldwide interest in Campbell's ideas, which have had noticeable repercussions on Hollywood.

•  Lucas once called Campbell "my Yoda."

The Hero Myth: Simple Beginnings

•  Anonymous beginnings.

•  Raised by simple folk.

•  True “royal” parentage.

•  Ordinary life.

The Call to Adventure

•  Ordinary life interrupted by unexpected event.

•  Hero is called to set out on a journey to solve problem.

•  Problem involves saving world, life, princess, etc.

Reluctance of the Hero

•  Hero is at first reluctant to leave on the quest - fear of unknown, fear of leaving safe, anonymous life.

•  Often, external event precipitates leaving

The Wise Guide

•  The Hero meets a wise guide who recognizes their hero potential.

•  The guide is a mentor, who teaches him/her the skills needed to succeed on the quest.

•  The Mentor teaches, but then leaves so hero free to pursue quest alone.

Passing the First Threshold

•  The Hero accepts his/her task, departs on the journey.

•  From this point forward, the quest is underway.

Finding Allies (sidekicks)

•  The Hero is never entirely alone on his/her journey - there are always others who help along the way.

•  Allies assist, but cannot replace, the hero on his/her quest.

Tests, challenges along the way

•  The Journey is not easy - the hero must confront challenges, pass tests along the way.

Confronting the Shadow

•  Every hero has a darker side - the Shadow - that is an integral part of his/her psychological makeup.

•  The hero must confront the shadow, and come to terms with its power.

•  Overcoming obstacles, temptation, inner conflict.

The Belly of the Whale

•  Confronting death

•  Near Death Experiences

•  Attaining magical, mysterious power after confrontation with death.

Finding the Treasure •  The goal of the quest is

attained - the princess rescued, the holy grail discovered, the solution to the problem is found.

The Return

•  The Hero must make his way home again, often overcoming more obstacles along the way.

•  The Hero brings new knowledge, to help the community with what he/she has learned.

Transformation

•  The hero is transformed by their quest, and has become reintegrated into their community.

The Lived Dimension of Myth

•  True Myth has a “lived” dimension - it impacts the lives of believers, and effects their worldview and spiritual paths.

•  “Jediism” has over .5 million adherents worldwide… (officially, anyway)