The Eternal Hero

[mentored1]

Hello folks...

I've noticed that in, by and large, every myth or religious story there is the central idea of a Hero overcoming something: be it destruction, evil, impossible obstacles, et al in order to save or redeem someone or something. The outcome of all such stories (with some exceptions) is an ongoing series of events in which the hero or heroes win some battles in a war that never seems to end - or has an ending which is far removed.

In movies and literature this theme seems to have the most compelling and powerful appeal to humanity. We identify with overcoming obstacles, hardships, and confronting great evils in the name of the greater good (whatever that may be).

Whether one agrees or not most - if not all - of the major religions have a Hero figure: is not Christ the redeemer of mankind by giving himself for an ultimate triumph? Are there not prophets and teachers in many faiths that faced seemingly insurmountable odds to acquire a truth or redeem something that was lost? Did not Prometheus steal fire from the Gods to bring to mankind?

Is this theme, this archetype of the Hero, something that is in us naturally - by evolution or biology? Or is it something spiritual - recognized as from some heavenly divine origin? What is it about the Hero that inspires us and grabs our attention and in many cases our belief?

Take care

[technomage]

Is this theme, this archetype of the Hero, something that is in us naturally - by evolution or biology? Or is it something spiritual - recognized as from some heavenly divine origin? What is it about the Hero that inspires us and grabs our attention and in many cases our belief?

Interesting question.

I can't say that the stories of Jesus Christ really fall into the "Hero" archetype--there are some elements in common, but for Christ never truly faced challenges. He is depicted as besting any debate, confounding any opponent, and confusiong (or winning over) all of his enemies ... except for those who refuse to be won over. Even at that, the decision to kill Him is depicted not as a victory, but as an admission of defeat: "We can't defeat his preaching, and we can't silence him, so we're going to have to kill him."

There is no actual quest--no "Hero's Journey." While it's true that both heroic literature and the Gospels depicts a person who comes to do something, does it, and goes home, Jesus is never depicted as being changed or growing by the events he experiences--an important part of the "Heroic Journey."

Still and all, it is an interesting comparison.

[mentored1]

Interesting question.

I can't say that the stories of Jesus Christ really fall into the "Hero" archetype--there are some elements in common, but for Christ never truly faced challenges. He is depicted as besting any debate, confounding any opponent, and confusiong (or winning over) all of his enemies ... except for those who refuse to be won over. Even at that, the decision to kill Him is depicted not as a victory, but as an admission of defeat: "We can't defeat his preaching, and we can't silence him, so we're going to have to kill him."

There is no actual quest--no "Hero's Journey." While it's true that both heroic literature and the Gospels depicts a person who comes to do something, does it, and goes home, Jesus is never depicted as being changed or growing by the events he experiences--an important part of the "Heroic Journey."

Still and all, it is an interesting comparison.

Thanks for the replies...

However, the story of Christ still contains the overall Hero archetype doesn't it? His ultimate "quest" was to destroy the power of Sin over mankind - and He was victorious according to the Bible but the victory is not yet 'realized'. According to the Bible the Hero won the ultimate battle but the war against "sin" is still being waged two thousand years later. But the ability overcome Sin by taking on the mantle (spirit) of Christ as the spiritual victor a Christian is "reborn" and achieves victory of Sin (wins the battle) which is only realized at the end (death)...

:shrug: Seems like a very powerful and ultimate Hero archetype - hence its impressive influence on mankind...

Take care

[technomage]

Thanks for the replies...

However, the story of Christ still contains the overall Hero archetype doesn't it? His ultimate "quest" was to destroy the power of Sin over mankind - and He was victorious according to the Bible but the victory is not yet 'realized'. According to the Bible the Hero won the ultimate battle but the war against "sin" is still being waged two thousand years later. But the ability overcome Sin by taking on the mantle (spirit) of Christ as the spiritual victor a Christian is "reborn" and achieves victory of Sin (wins the battle) which is only realized at the end (death)...

:shrug: Seems like a very powerful and ultimate Hero archetype - hence its impressive influence on mankind...

Take care
Hmm ... possible. Would you say the Hero's personal growth and change is optional in a Hero Archetype story?

[mentored1]

Hmm ... possible. Would you say the Hero's personal growth and change is optional in a Hero Archetype story?

Absolutely... More often than not the Hero's personal growth and change is secondary and a result of the task before them. The Bible says that Christ learned obedience by his sufferings: but that was not his primary task was it? It was to redeem mankind from darkness. The Hero has a goal of saving, redeeming, or overcoming something greater than themselves (or so it would seem in the story).

In the case of humanity I see this ultimate obstacle as death, annihilation. The quests in most such stories involve overcoming the impending disaster (or saving some from it, like in the Flood story), redeeming a loved one(s), or even defeating one's own demons.

The Hero in these stories may or may not grow personally from what happens - but if they fail they certainly won't. How could they not though? Suffering brings patience and trials bring wisdom - the Hero's growth is part of the triumph, part of the benefit brought back. The myths like Prometheus and others where something is brought back shows civilization gaining benefits (the saving of a society); others like Christ show the triumph over death and the ultimate goal of immortality.

I should note that I don't consider these myths and stories to be false - being a myth doesn't mean that there's no truth to them. In fact I find the archetypes and the themes in these stories (the elements that survive time and disaster) to be very powerful and very relevant.

Take care

[sambo]

mentored1,

Read some of big Joe Campbell's works do ya?

The hero's journey is a common theme in all ancient texts both pre and post Christ (and to include the Christ story too I suppose.) Yup, I think this theme is relevent and inspirational to all human cultures.

Good to find common ground in all world beliefs. Helps bring us all closer I think.

[mentored1]

mentored1,

Read some of big Joe Campbell's works do ya?

The hero's journey is a common theme in all ancient texts both pre and post Christ (and to include the Christ story too I suppose.) Yup, I think this theme is relevent and inspirational to all human cultures.

Good to find common ground in all world beliefs. Helps bring us all closer I think.

Indeed... the idea occured to me originally because I am fascinated with myths in general: I read a lot of that stuff and I play role-playing fantasy games often so it's all part of what I grew up in. Nonetheless, Mr. Campbell really outlined the concept through the various ages of man's thought and tied a lot of it together.

To expand on what you mentioned I actually think it is the ONLY relevant and inspirational theme to all human cultures: at least the only one that is able to survive and flourish in any culture. It's something wired into us for whatever reason that may be...

It's too bad we focus on the particular differences at the expense of the Hero...

Take care