Aladdin, a Diamond in the Rough

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A hero is a figure in which we can relate to as humans while also having someone to look up to. He/ She is a representation of all that is possible when one sets their minds to overcoming an obstacle in their life. Heroes are the best of us and the worst of us, shown in all their liminality. The ability to cross boundaries that we as ordinary humans are unable to cross (or unwilling) exemplifies what it means to be a hero. Our limitations are shown throughout a hero's journey into and beyond the unknown. The only hero that is able to surpass all limitations that humans have is Herakles of Greek myth and he ascends to god-hood after death because of it (Martin 145). It is important to note that once a hero surpasses that boundary between god and human, he is no longer really human and is in fact a god. This puts him beyond the scope of reality and makes him harder to relate to. As such, Herakles is not the best hero of ancient myth with which to relate Aladdin to. The hero of the Aladdin movie is Aladdin and he fits the Joseph Campbell model of a hero. This relatable character shows us that heroes are not all-powerful, but are willing to make sacrifices for others that most other people wouldn't. This is an important distinction between a hero and a normal person: sacrifice without regard towards accolades or rewards. Aladdin doesn't demand a reward for saving Princess Jasmine and the palace, but is rewarded when Jasmine chooses to marry him, flaws and all. All heroes experience a journey of sorts, as shown in Joseph Campbell's mono-myth model. Aladdin is no exception, which is part of the movie's appeal.
First, a little back-story must be provided if one is to follow along with Aladdin's journey. Aladdin is a street “rat” in t...

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...es, there are enemies that we can put a name to, such as in times of war. A soldier in an army may view the opposition as the enemy and his fellow soldiers as his friends and family. He/ she must defeat the enemy in order to survive. These trials are what make each of us heroes. Without them, there would be no tests to bring out a person's character and the world would be a boring place to live in. Aladdin shows us that being ourselves and using our brains to overcome any situation we are in can provide great rewards. Our elixir might be a new job to keep our bills paid, achieving great success, or sweeping a significant other off their feet (like Aladdin shows). Aladdin's epic journey is entertaining and filled with lessons that can be applied to everyday life. One must only apply the lessons learned from this movie to their own life to see how it will affect them.

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