Class Notes 9/9/09 - The Mythic Heroic Archetype

9/9/09

The Mythic Heroic Archetype: Quest for Enlightment
The Western Literary Tradition
English 4

* we would like to believe that human in each region are different but actually we are more similar than different

I. Archetype
A. Formed by repeated expierences in the lives of our ancestors.
- intire history of us as a species - things happen over and over again dating back to our
greatest possible grandmother

B. Inherited in the "collective unconscious" of human race
- concept or theory
- Example of unconcious mind: when you dream
-Collective unconscious(CU): you have an indivdual unconscious but humanity shares an unconcious as humanity continues the pool of the CU continues to grow.

C. Often exposed in myth, religion, dreams, and fantasies, as well as in literature

D. A character type, plot, pattern or description

E. Recours frequently in literature and folklore

F. Thought to evoke profound emotional responses in the reader because it resonates with an image already exsisting in ming
-you are the pond or the bell - the story is the rock or hammer
-means something because inside the CU which is in you-all the story did was bring it out we are all connected.

G. Karl Jung - thought of the CU theory - believed certain subconscious pyschological urges and insticts manifest themselves in fantasies and reveal their presence through symbolic motifs
-stories we tell reveal whats going on inside of us not just as indviduals but together

H. These "forms or images...occur practically all over the world as constituents of myths."
-stories don't change just the names of characters change but the stories at the core are all the same
-proof of universal model for which we work

I. As forms rise out of the unconscious mind in dreams and myths archetypes might appear as characters-princesses, knights, dragons-who help or hinder the "hero" on path to enlightenment

J. Or Many show up as archetypal images- a squence of events a certain kind of place or talismanic object
-rubby slippers, swords in stones, magic rings
-try to get inside of us resonate

K. In the stories that speak to us most deeply these elements remain remarkably constant. The activities, communications, and adventures in which the mythic hero participates the places the hero visits from the enchanted castle to the magic mountain in the darkest cavern all these appear over and over agian in myths from around the world.

II. ARCHETYPE EXAMPLES

A. Journey Quest
-point A to point B
-Life to death
-Everyones goals are centered around getting from point A to point B and trying to accomplish those goals.

B. Rite of Passage
-drivers license
*show maturity
-Conformation or Bar/Baht Mitzvah
-Turning 21 or 18
-Graduating
-One phase of exsistance to another phase
-challenges you endure to make something more
-childhood to adult hood

C. Loss of/Search for Eden
-there is paradise we lost or we are looking for it
-there is paradise we never had it we look for it

D. Grow through conflict
-suffering produces gain
-"no pain no gain"

E. Nature/Life cycle
-nature cycle -seasons
-life cycle-birth and death: mortality

F. Religion/Search for God or personal code
-bad guys viewed as good guys example-The Godfather-the family although involved in a dirty business has honor and adherence-family they have a personal code.
-strving to search for personal code

G. Reconcilliation of Opposites
-Love/hate
-heaven/hell
-allienation/redemption
-male/female
-balance the forces oposition want life to be in balance

III. ARCHETYPE
A. As we watch this conflict unfold we find the germs of meaning that can help us make sense of our own lives.
-we don't need to expierence things to learn from them. Thats why the stories continue to be told.

IV. THE MYTHIC HERO #1

A. Hero has obscure/mysterious background
-The hero is either someone from outside of community
-Or within a community but possessing a hidden difference

EXAMPLES
A. Superman
-Kal-El comes from planet Krypton and protects people of metropolis as "superman". Earths yellow sun endows him with powers far beyond those of mortal men. He lives under the assumed identity of Clark Kent mid-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet.
*outsider in alter -ego
*outsider as superman
*pretends to be a member of society but everyone wonders about this akward man.

B. Batman
-Bruce Wayne-is Gotham City billionare playboy, heir to the Wayne family fortune. Psychologically damages as a result of witnessing the murder of his parents he creates the atler-ego of the night stalking vigilante Batman-The Dark Knight
*outsider-rich not like everyone else
*outsider to law vigilante is agianst the law
*outsider-psychologically screwed up

C. Ironman
Tony Stark another genius playboy billonaire-but not quite as philanthropic as the Wayne family. (tony's fortune made through manufacturing weapons) Mortally wounded when weapons he designed are used against him, he invents a new power source to assits his damaged heart then creates an armored weapon-packed flying battle suit with which to battle evil






Kiera McGroarty
9/9/09