The Archetypal Hero

From studying and analysing the concept of the archetypal hero, I have learnt that the presence of a hero is a common feature across many cultures. This suggests that humanity always needs a hero to respect and admire, humanity referring to civilization and a hero pertaining to a human with exceptional qualities that sets them apart from the average being. The concept of the archetypal hero is most evident through literature, with examples including the 'Epic of Gilgamesh', 'The Ballad of Mulan', 'Othello: The Moor of Venice' West' and 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the. These four texts incorporate many different aspects of the concept of the archetypal hero including its essentialness throughout history, its affect and influence on society along with the way its meaning has been altered over time by different cultures and contexts. These aspects can be further supported with the critical readings 'Anatomy of Criticism', 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' and 'Poetics' All four texts capture the extent of humanity's need to have a heroic figure to value and have faith in, and an individual's desire to be like them.

The existence of the archetypal hero has been apparent for many thousands of years. By observing the two ancient texts 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' and the 'Ballad of Mulan', and comparing them to 'Othello', and 'Wicked', it becomes apparent how the essence of a 'hero' has altered considerably compared to what it once was however there are still commonalities amongst the changes. A hero's primary function is to inspire individuals and provide a role model for them to aspire to mimic and this factor still remains true. The traits and defining qualities of a hero in literature morph and change over time to either represent the shifting and modernizing of ethics within humanity or to incorporate the author's values and intentions. Literary critic and theorist, Northrop Frye suggests in his work 'Anatomy of Criticism' that there are five varieties of personalities that feature in fictional heroes that are categorized by the way they interact with others and their environment and are as follows: myth - superiority is different to other men and the environment, romance - superiority is one of degree, high mimesis - superior in degree to other men but not nature, low mimesis - more or less equal to men and not superior to environment, and irony - hero's power of action is inferior to that of ordinary men. These categories outline the relationship between the hero and the society it comes from and highlight the potential strengths and influences a hero can possess in the different aspects of life.

The Sumerian 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is often considered one of the first pieces of literature, and is a legend that has been passed down by generations through word of mouth since before 7th century CE depicting the journey of a hero. The morals and values that were beared at the time in Uruk are significantly present throughout the epic. By observing the epic and its context it can be determined that Mesopotamians saw men as superior, as both heroes are male and are highly admired for being strong and powerful, both of which are superficial traits. The few women in the epic serve little purpose and are negatively portrayed. It can also be said that religion was considered important as it is a large factor in the epic with many biblical allusions and frequent reference towards Gods and heaven and hell.

In 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces', Joseph Campbell states that the hero's journey is a venture from 'the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder' by an individual where 'fabulous forces are encountered and a decisive victory is won' and is finally completed by returning from the 'mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man'. Campbell describes this course as a monomyth, and claims that it is an important structure that is shared by many surviving ancient texts. This fundamental structure is utilized in the 'Epic of Gilgamesh', or was possibly even derived from the Epic. As the structure is a common feature in many texts across multiple cultures, it acts as a familiar factor that aids the audience in relating to the text and therefore allows the significance and the message to be shared and understood. The fact that the story has been carried on for so many years indicates that there must be aspects of the text that remained significant to humanity and are still pertinent in this modern age.

The 'Ballad of Mulan' assists in outlining the diversity of cultures that incorporate the concept of a hero into their literature and how vital it is for a hero figure to be present. In almost every culture there is a dominant figure that is admired by society for their outstanding achievements or their inspirational actions. The 'Ballad of Mulan' is an ancient text which has left a considerable impact on Chinese folklore, along with the rest of the world, principally because of the fact that the main character is female and that she is portrayed as a hero without bearing the stereotypical characteristics of the archetypal hero. Mulan is illustrated as a modest, humble and patriotic daughter who lacks the typical physical strength and stamina of male warriors. The key themes of bravery, perseverance and kinship in the ballad enforce the values of Chinese culture. The ballad's simple and basic structure suggests that the Chinese value fundamental human traits such as loyalty, honesty and courage. A strong sense of patriotism is also present throughout the ballad with close reference to the country and its geographical features. The 'Ballad of Mulan' perfectly demonstrates how the concept of the archetypal hero has been altered to better suit the needs and the morals of a certain society. In the ballad, Mulan represents the high mimetic hero personality as she