JediBendu
08-30-2002, 01:12 AM
I’ve been wondering about how one could possible predict what could happen in ep3 when it dawned on me to look back over our own mythology, more specifically, the concept of the Hero Archetype .
The standard definition of an archetype is basically a prototype. *Jung however had another idea. When he spoke of an archetype, he referred to an image or idea that is housed in what he termed the collective unconscious. Jung states that these kinds of archetypes are manifestations of this collective unconscious that exists across all cultures and is common to people at all times and all places.
Joseph Cambell, a friend and mentor of GL, believed this and was convinced this is the reason why common myths and legends occur in literature across cultures. *I’ll distinguish between the Hero and the Hero’s Journey, both archetypes to which Cambell placed great importance.
"Each of us has a Hero, an Sage, a mercenary, a Princess within. Each of these pulls and pushes as we journey through the story that is our life. We need all of these energies to pursue life's adventure." As the Hero journeys the 'road of trials,' and we pursue the trials of our everyday lives, the Heroic task is to "integrate these parts or energies and win the prize -- our individuality, our sense of place, our sense of purpose."
Sound familiar? *GL’s adaptation of Cambell’s ideas in Star Wars is well documented. *His stages for the journey are as follows.
1) Ordinary World
2) Call to Adventure
3) Refusal of the Call
4) Meeting with the Mentor
5) Crossing the First Threshold
6) Test, Allies, Enemies
7) Approach to the Inmost Cave
8) Ordeal
9) Reward
10) The Road Back
11) Resurrection
12) Return with the Elixir
But the prequels aren’t about the Journey, as much as they’re about the hero.
In it’s broadest outline, the Hero is as follows:
The Hero’s birth is supernaturally predicted and conceived
The Balance of the Force Prophecy, the midichlorians/Force conceived Anakin
the infant Hero escapes attempts to kill him
Darth Maul’s attack, or even his release from slavery
The Hero infant demonstrates his precocious wisdom already as a child
Anakin’s mechanical and piloting skills
He receives a divine commission
Anakin’s admission into the Jedi Order
The Hero defeats demons
Perhaps referring to the Clone War, where he becomes the ‘best star-pilot in the galaxy’, maybe even defeats Dooku?
The Hero wins acclaim…
Anakin becomes a hero after the Clone War, gains the respect of the Senate and the Jedi Order
…is hailed as king…
Believes that he is the ‘most powerful Jedi ever’.
…then betrayed, losing popular favour
I’d say by the Order’s stringent adherence to the Code, although it could be Padme.
The Hero is executed
Obi-Wan’s infamous molten pit duel – the death of Anakin and the birth of Darth Vader. *A new story, the Hero’s Journey commences.
The Hero is vindicated and is received in the divine
Anakin saving his son, appearing with Yoda and Obi-Wan at the end of roj
The above outline can be applied to a few myths and legends, namely: Hercules, Oedipus, Apollonius of Tyana, Padma Sambhava, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ
Anyway, opinions and thoughts are welcome. *style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif
The standard definition of an archetype is basically a prototype. *Jung however had another idea. When he spoke of an archetype, he referred to an image or idea that is housed in what he termed the collective unconscious. Jung states that these kinds of archetypes are manifestations of this collective unconscious that exists across all cultures and is common to people at all times and all places.
Joseph Cambell, a friend and mentor of GL, believed this and was convinced this is the reason why common myths and legends occur in literature across cultures. *I’ll distinguish between the Hero and the Hero’s Journey, both archetypes to which Cambell placed great importance.
"Each of us has a Hero, an Sage, a mercenary, a Princess within. Each of these pulls and pushes as we journey through the story that is our life. We need all of these energies to pursue life's adventure." As the Hero journeys the 'road of trials,' and we pursue the trials of our everyday lives, the Heroic task is to "integrate these parts or energies and win the prize -- our individuality, our sense of place, our sense of purpose."
Sound familiar? *GL’s adaptation of Cambell’s ideas in Star Wars is well documented. *His stages for the journey are as follows.
1) Ordinary World
2) Call to Adventure
3) Refusal of the Call
4) Meeting with the Mentor
5) Crossing the First Threshold
6) Test, Allies, Enemies
7) Approach to the Inmost Cave
8) Ordeal
9) Reward
10) The Road Back
11) Resurrection
12) Return with the Elixir
But the prequels aren’t about the Journey, as much as they’re about the hero.
In it’s broadest outline, the Hero is as follows:
The Hero’s birth is supernaturally predicted and conceived
The Balance of the Force Prophecy, the midichlorians/Force conceived Anakin
the infant Hero escapes attempts to kill him
Darth Maul’s attack, or even his release from slavery
The Hero infant demonstrates his precocious wisdom already as a child
Anakin’s mechanical and piloting skills
He receives a divine commission
Anakin’s admission into the Jedi Order
The Hero defeats demons
Perhaps referring to the Clone War, where he becomes the ‘best star-pilot in the galaxy’, maybe even defeats Dooku?
The Hero wins acclaim…
Anakin becomes a hero after the Clone War, gains the respect of the Senate and the Jedi Order
…is hailed as king…
Believes that he is the ‘most powerful Jedi ever’.
…then betrayed, losing popular favour
I’d say by the Order’s stringent adherence to the Code, although it could be Padme.
The Hero is executed
Obi-Wan’s infamous molten pit duel – the death of Anakin and the birth of Darth Vader. *A new story, the Hero’s Journey commences.
The Hero is vindicated and is received in the divine
Anakin saving his son, appearing with Yoda and Obi-Wan at the end of roj
The above outline can be applied to a few myths and legends, namely: Hercules, Oedipus, Apollonius of Tyana, Padma Sambhava, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ
Anyway, opinions and thoughts are welcome. *style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif