Premium Essay

Joseph Campbell's Definition Of A Hero

Submitted By
Words 365
Pages 2
According to Joseph Campbell, “a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than him or herself”. Joseph Campbell includes many observations about a hero. I believe Beowulf fits Joseph Campbell’s definition of a hero due to many of his outstanding qualities. Beowulf gives his life for something bigger than himself, undergoes tests and trials, and goes through transformation.
Based on Beowulf’s poem, Beowulf sacrifices his life for something above himself. “Proclaiming that he'd go to that famous king, would sail across the sea to Hrothgar, now when help was needed”(lines 114-116). In lines 165-166, Beowulf states, “That I, alone and with the help of my men, may purge all evil from this hall.” Not only does Beowulf demonstrate

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Huckleberry Finn: The Hero's Journey

...In the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huckleberry Finn overcomes many obstacles while becoming the Hero in this novel. He is proven to be a hero by definition in Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth, (Hero With A Thousand Faces). On the other hand, his physical characteristics do not point to him being a superhero of some sort. He is just a normal boy, but he shows that anybody can endure such a treacherous life if one has shows signs of braveness and courageousness. Throughout his journey, he exemplifies three key components of being a hero. These stages include the following: The Separation, The Initiation, and the Return. The first of the three stages of the Hero’s Journey is Separation. The audience of this novel sees this first when Huck is separated from his abusive father who is only interested in him once he comes across a large sum of money. Huck is then called to adventure when he fakes his death at Pap’s Cabin and...

Words: 500 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Archetypes in American Literature

...This essay will use the mythological criticism approach to compare two stories, “A Story of an Hour,” by Kate Chopin, and “A Rose for Emily,” by William Faulkner by showing that both stories have similar archetypes embedded within their narratives. By definition and according to our text, archetypes are “characters, images and themes that symbolically embody meanings and experiences,” (2059, Meyer). In both of these stories, I see that the main characters are involved in a quest for feminine self-discovery and freedom of the human spirit. In Joseph Campbell’s, “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” the author discusses the journey we are called to in life, and that some choose to follow that call while others do not. In this case, both female characters choose not to answer the call, and become trapped in their initial wounding. The both feel they have no power to move out of their current state. In Carol Pearson’s book, “The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By,” six major archetypes are discussed. They include the orphan, the innocent, the magician, the wanderer, the warrior and the altruist. All of these archetypes can also have shadow sides, as described by author Pearson. In my opinion, the archetype that best fits Mrs. Mallard, the main character of “A Story of an Hour,” by Chopin and Miss Emily Grierson, the main character of “A Rose for Miss Emily,” by Faulkner, is the orphan archetype and its shadow side. Mrs. Mallard is a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage...

Words: 1001 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Characters In Grendel's Quest Cycle

...A hero is an individual who alters a society in a progressive way and becomes irrelevant when the society is changed due to a lack of purpose due to the new culture’s different needs for advancement; Grendel, in Grendel, written by John Gardner, is an excellent example of this ideology by showing the replacements of role models in society. When the hero is unaware of their status, they make rash decisions affecting the society they are shaping. This time period, in a sense, is the beginning of Joseph Campbell’s quest cycle, before the inciting incident. While the humans scrutinize Grendel, he identifies their abilities and the depth of their thinking. He studies them as well, discovering that, “Suddenly I knew I was dealing with no dull mechanical...

Words: 921 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Character Analysis: The Hero's Journey

...“Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.”-Les Brown. There is a popular belief that the Greek King of Ithaca, Odysseus, returns from the Trojan War a hero. However, is Odysseus really considered the definition of a true hero? Les Brown’s quote relates to Odysseus’ journey because throughout Odysseus’ quest he makes many mistakes which he forgives himself for so he is able to continue on his way home to Ithaca. His journey can be looked at closely, as well as his flaws, lessons, and steps to becoming a hero, when looked at through the twelve stages of Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey. A hero’s journey is the trip an individual takes in order to complete an important task which may contain dangerous adventures and life-threatening experiences. The hero’s journey is a series of...

Words: 1197 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Hero's Journey

...Marisa Paris Humanities 220 Professor Cope 12/8/14 In 1949, American scholar Joseph Campbell, published what could possibly be one of the most influential non-fiction books of his time, The Hero With a Thousand Faces. (Joseph Campbell Foundation) After lifelong research, Joseph Campbell discovered as well as exposed, a number of common patterns linked between multiple myths and stories spread all over the world. Thus, giving way to the composition of his book. The “hero’s journey” can be described as the various stages or phases that pretty much every hero-quest experiences, with no regard to what culture the myth plays a part in. Put more explicitly, the “hero’s journey” is an adventure the person known as “the hero” takes on behalf of the...

Words: 1746 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

The Hero's Journey

...Christian Lescznske Professor Larkin ELIT2055-B 31 March 2014 The Hero’s Journey: Comparing and Contrasting Heroes Joseph Campbell was an American psychologist and mythological researcher. In his lifelong research, Campbell discovered many common patterns running through hero myths and stories from around the world. Years of research lead Campbell to discover several basic stages that almost every hero-quest goes through (no matter what culture the myth is a part of). He calls this common structure “the monomyth” (Hero’s Journey). The “hero’s journey” appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development. It describes the typical adventure of The Hero, who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the family, group, tribe, or civilization. There are twelve steps, or stages, of the typical “Hero’s Journey”. The twelve steps are: The ordinary world, the call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting with the mentor, crossing the threshold, a test, the approach, the ordeal, the reward, the road back, the resurrection, and the return with the elixir, or reward. As I previously stated, Campbell’s monomyth works best with the traditional form of the quest such as in folk and fairy tales, myths, legends, and other fantasies. However, it can be applied to many different genres or types of stories. A quest does not have to include swords and monsters. It can just as easily occur in the real world. The monomyth is ageless and universal...

Words: 1692 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Religion

...The Gospel ACCORDING TO FEMIGOD He who has ears, let him hear The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO FEMIGOD Copyright © 2013 by Femigod Ltd. Published by Femigod Ltd. www.femigod.com Femigod® is a registered trademark of Femigod Ltd. ISBN: 9780992642600 For my darling sister, Pero. I love you dearly. No matter what you want, it’s yours. Beyond money and weapons.  Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Book One: Understanding Mainstream and Organised Religion.............................................................. 5 Christianity ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Islam ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Hinduism.............................................................................................................................................. 12 Buddhism ........................................................................................................................................... 155 Chinese traditional religions ...........

Words: 76280 - Pages: 306

Free Essay

Book

...THE PLAYER Good game design is player-centric. That means that above all else, the player and her desires are truly considered. Rather than demanding that she do something via the rules, the gameplay itself should inherently motivate the player in the direction the designer wants her to go. Telling players they must travel around the board or advance to the next level is one thing. If they don’t have a reason and a desire to do it, then it becomes torture. In creating a game, designers take a step back and think from the player’s viewpoint: What’s this game about? How do I play? How do I win? Why do I want to play? What things do I need to do? MEANINGFUL DECISIONS Distilled down to its essence, game design is about creating opportunities for players to make meaningful decisions that affect the outcome of the game. Consider a game like a boxing match. So many decisions lead up to the ultimate victory. How long will I train? Will I block or will I swing? What is my opponent going to do? Where is his weakness? Jab left or right? Even those few, brief questions don’t come close to the myriad decisions a fighter must make as he progresses through a match. Games invite players into similar mental spaces. Games like Tetris and Chess keep our minds busy by forcing us to consider which one of several possible moves we want to take next. In taking these paths, we know that we may be prolonging or completely screwing up our entire game. The Sims games and those in...

Words: 111961 - Pages: 448

Premium Essay

Will Do Next Time

...Instructor’s Manual and Test Bank to accompany A First Look at Communication Theory Sixth Edition Em Griffin Wheaton College prepared by Glen McClish San Diego State University and Emily J. Langan Wheaton College Published by McGraw­Hill, an imprint of The McGraw­Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright Ó 2006,  2003, 2000, 1997, 1994, 1991 by The McGraw­Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The contents, or parts thereof, may be reproduced in print form  solely for classroom use with A First Look At Communication Theory provided such reproductions bear copyright notice, but may not be reproduced in  any other form or for any other purpose without the prior written consent of The McGraw­Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any  network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. PREFACE Rationale We agreed to produce the instructor’s manual for the sixth edition of A First Look at Communication Theory because it’s a first-rate book and because we enjoy talking and writing about pedagogy. Yet when we recall the discussions we’ve had with colleagues about instructor’s manuals over the years, two unnerving comments stick with us: “I don’t find them much help”; and (even worse) “I never look at them.” And, if the truth be told, we were often the people making such points! With these statements in mind, we have done some serious soul-searching about the texts that so many teachers—ourselves...

Words: 159106 - Pages: 637

Premium Essay

Critical Thinking

...fourth EDItION fourth EDItION This clear, learner-friendly text helps today’s students bridge the gap between Its comprehensiveness allows instructors to tailor the material to their individual teaching styles, resulting in an exceptionally versatile text. Highlights of the Fourth Edition: Additional readings and essays in a new Appendix as well as in Chapters 7 and 8 nearly double the number of readings available for critical analysis and classroom discussion. An online chapter, available on the instructor portion of the book’s Web site, addresses critical reading, a vital skill for success in college and beyond. Visit www.mhhe.com/bassham4e for a wealth of additional student and instructor resources. Bassham I Irwin Nardone I Wallace New and updated exercises and examples throughout the text allow students to practice and apply what they learn. MD DALIM #1062017 12/13/09 CYAN MAG YELO BLK Chapter 12 features an expanded and reorganized discussion of evaluating Internet sources. Critical Thinking thinking, using real-world examples and a proven step-by-step approach. A student ' s Introduction A student's Introduction everyday culture and critical thinking. It covers all the basics of critical Critical Thinking Ba ssha m I Irwin I Nardone I Wall ace CRITICAL THINKING A STUDENT’S INTRODUCTION FOURTH EDITION Gregory Bassham William Irwin Henry Nardone James M. Wallace King’s College TM bas07437_fm_i-xvi.indd i 11/24/09 9:53:56 AM TM Published by McGraw-Hill...

Words: 246535 - Pages: 987

Premium Essay

The Rise of the Tale

...History and criticism 3. Short story 4. Literary form – History – 19th century I. Title 823’.0109 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Killick, Tim. British short fiction in the early nineteenth century : the rise of the tale / by Tim Killick. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7546-6413-0 (alk. paper) 1. Short stories, English—History and criticism. 2. English fiction—19th century—History and criticism. 3. Short story. 4. Literary form—History—19th century. I. Title. PR829.K56 2008 823’.0109--dc22 2007052226 ISBN: 978-0-7546-6413-0 Contents Acknowledgements vi Introduction 1 1 Overview: Short Fiction in the Early Nineteenth Century Part I: Criticism, History, and Definitions Part II: Short Fiction in the Periodical Press 5 5 22 2...

Words: 98420 - Pages: 394

Premium Essay

Marketing

...fourth EDItION Critical Thinking A student ' s Introduction Ba ssha m I I rwi n I N ardon e I Wal l ac e CRITICAL THINKING A STUDENT’S INTRODUCTION FOURTH EDITION Gregory Bassham William Irwin Henry Nardone James M. Wallace King’s College TM TM Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2011, 2008, 2005, 2002. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. This book is printed on acid-free paper. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOC/DOC 0 ISBN: 978-0-07-340743-2 MHID: 0-07-340743-7 Vice President, Editorial: Michael Ryan Director, Editorial: Beth Mejia Sponsoring Editor: Mark Georgiev Marketing Manager: Pam Cooper Managing Editor: Nicole Bridge Developmental Editor: Phil Butcher Project Manager: Lindsay Burt Manuscript Editor: Maura P. Brown Design Manager: Margarite Reynolds Cover Designer: Laurie Entringer Production Supervisor: Louis Swaim Composition: 11/12.5 Bembo by MPS Limited, A Macmillan Company Printing: 45# New Era Matte, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Cover Image: © Brand X/JupiterImages Credits: The credits section for this book begins on page C-1 and is considered...

Words: 240232 - Pages: 961

Premium Essay

British Short Fictions

...History and criticism 3. Short story 4. Literary form – History – 19th century I. Title 823’.0109 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Killick, Tim. British short fiction in the early nineteenth century : the rise of the tale / by Tim Killick. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7546-6413-0 (alk. paper) 1. Short stories, English—History and criticism. 2. English fiction—19th century—History and criticism. 3. Short story. 4. Literary form—History—19th century. I. Title. PR829.K56 2008 823’.0109--dc22 2007052226 ISBN: 978-0-7546-6413-0 Contents Acknowledgements vi Introduction 1 1 Overview: Short Fiction in the Early Nineteenth Century Part I: Criticism, History, and Definitions Part II: Short Fiction in the Periodical Press 5 5 22 2...

Words: 98420 - Pages: 394

Premium Essay

Marxist

...History and criticism 3. Short story 4. Literary form – History – 19th century I. Title 823’.0109 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Killick, Tim. British short fiction in the early nineteenth century : the rise of the tale / by Tim Killick. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7546-6413-0 (alk. paper) 1. Short stories, English—History and criticism. 2. English fiction—19th century—History and criticism. 3. Short story. 4. Literary form—History—19th century. I. Title. PR829.K56 2008 823’.0109--dc22 2007052226 ISBN: 978-0-7546-6413-0 Contents Acknowledgements vi Introduction 1 1 Overview: Short Fiction in the Early Nineteenth Century Part I: Criticism, History, and Definitions Part II: Short Fiction in the Periodical Press 5 5 22 2...

Words: 98420 - Pages: 394

Free Essay

Development

...book is a brief survey of contemporary ideas about the cultural impact of mass media on society. The use of consequences in the title reflects the fact that most cultural researchers prefer this term (instead of media effects) to describe media's influence on human experience. During the past 30 years, culture has emerged as a major theoretical framework in which to investigate media. Chapter I examines how media influence culture generally, as suggested by various contemporary media scholars and others. Chapter II then focuses on critical-cultural theories about the nature of media power and its potentially negative influence. This book can adopted as a supplementary text in introductory mass media courses along with a survey text such as Joseph R. Dominick's The Dynamics of Mass Communication (available from McGraw-Hill). It also can serve as a foundational text for other assigned readings in advanced courses dealing with mass media and society, communication theory, or cultural studies. Students are encouraged to focus thoughtfully on the main ideas, not attempt to merely memorize details. Important concepts and names appear in boldface and are defined in italics. The abridged Subject Index lists the page with the primary discussion of each topic. Sidebars throughout the text, set off with sans serif type, provide insights that supplement the main text. The Notes section cites quoted materials and guides students to other pertinent sources. Special thanks go to colleagues Kenton...

Words: 41097 - Pages: 165