“ Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth: Hero with a Thousand Faces By Dr. L. Nicosia

Based on the pattern of : Separation Initiation Return

Separation

Initiation

Return

Separation: The Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Supernatural Intervention Crossing the first threshold

The Call to Adventure

Refusal of the Call

Supernatural Intervention

Crossing the first threshold

Initiation: The Road of Trials Meeting with the Goddess/Witch Temptation Atonement with Father Apotheosis The Boon

The Road of Trials

Meeting with the Goddess/Witch

Temptation

Atonement with Father

Apotheosis

The Boon

The Hero returns

Upon His Return He Faces: A fallen homeland A land in disarray A trap OR A warm welcome as savior

A fallen homeland

A land in disarray

A trap

OR

A warm welcome as savior

Campbell identifies the hero’s journey with even more specificity…

Stages of the Hero’s Journey: Birth with fabulous circumstances Call to adventure Helper/Amulet (wizard, dwarf, fairy godmother) Crossing the threshold (The Ordeal)

Birth with fabulous circumstances

Call to adventure

Helper/Amulet (wizard, dwarf, fairy godmother)

Crossing the threshold (The Ordeal)

And then… The Test —violent encounters with monsters, sorcerers, warriors or forces of nature Helpers assist in the tests and serve as loyal companions. The final battle facilitates resolution

The Test —violent encounters with monsters, sorcerers, warriors or forces of nature

Helpers assist in the tests and serve as loyal companions.

The final battle facilitates resolution

There’s still more… The Flight The Return (awakening, rebirth, resurrection or emergence from a cave or forest) The Elixir (may be a restorative or healer, but may also define the hero’s role in society) Home

The Flight

The Return (awakening, rebirth, resurrection or emergence from a cave or forest)

The Elixir (may be a restorative or healer, but may also define the hero’s role in society)

Home

These characters tussle with critical moral and ethical dilemmas: They struggle with their own human flaws and weaknesses (Hamartia?) They confront external obstacles and injustices (successfully or not) They learn to navigate power structures (or capitulate to the hegemony)

They struggle with their own human flaws and weaknesses (Hamartia?)

They confront external obstacles and injustices (successfully or not)

They learn to navigate power structures (or capitulate to the hegemony)

Through their struggles,they teach us about who we are and who we wish to be (or not to be).

What is YOUR definition of a Hero?

What is the classical definition of a Hero as per Aristotle? Protagonist of high standing Hamartia Downfall/Reversal of fortune as a result of hamartia Catharsis Epiphany Death

Protagonist of high standing

Hamartia

Downfall/Reversal of fortune as a result of hamartia

Catharsis

Epiphany

Death

Are they Heroes, today, according to Arthur Miller? Protagonist may be a “Common Man” Protagonist has a flaw or makes a mistake/misstep Experiences a reversal of fortune Audience experiences a purgation of emotion (catharsis) Protagonist may experience a literal OR a figurative “death”

Protagonist may be a “Common Man”

Protagonist has a flaw or makes a mistake/misstep

Experiences a reversal of fortune

Audience experiences a purgation of emotion (catharsis)

Protagonist may experience a literal OR a figurative “death”

Tragedy and the Common Man You can access Arthur Miller’s essay through “External Links” on our Blackboard site or at this address directly: <http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/milleressay.htm>

You can access Arthur Miller’s essay through “External Links” on our Blackboard site or at this address directly:

<http://vccslitonline.cc.va.us/tragedy/milleressay.htm>

As we read through these Great Books this semester: We will question whether the Hero, his/her quest and his/her ideals are still valid and useful in today’s world. We will search for commonalities between the texts of the ancients and our contemporary literatures of today.

We will question whether the Hero, his/her quest and his/her ideals are still valid and useful in today’s world.

We will search for commonalities between the texts of the ancients and our contemporary literatures of today.

The End… Or, is it just the beginning? L. Nicosia 2006