J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous novel series, The Lord of the Rings, tells the story of a young hobbit who must reluctantly journey a great distance with the fellowship of companions to defeat an evil force that has been growing stronger and threatens to conquer all of middle-earth. As first believed by Joseph Campbell and argued in “The Hero with a Thousand Faces”, the same story is essentially being told in a variety of ways. The pattern that is found in almost every epic, past and present, is what Joseph called a “monomyth” (CAMPBELL). Though the steps may be customized to each individual story, the values of the myth are perhaps the most important aspects. From a religious perspective, the myths tell the stories of good and evil. ()Through the departure, initiation, and return, Frodo Baggins demonstrates the elements of the monomyth just as Rama did in the infamous Indian epic, “Ramayana”, written in the year 1000 BCE. With great companions and courage, both Frodo and Rama show readers all over the world what it means to be a hero.
As we have seen many times before in books and movies, the stories of both Frodo and Rama begin with the initial call to adventure. For Frodo, this was the inheritance of the ring that was once found by his uncle; the ring that possessed the power to control all of middle-earth and was being sought out by a great and evil force. Frodo Baggins is just, in many ways, your everyday hobbit from the Shire. He possesses no extraordinary abilities, but is noticeably pure and strong in character. Likewise, the character of Rama is one of moral strength and consciousness. He is noted, however, for his heroic ability to withstand temptation and human weakness and is portrayed heroically from the very beginning. His...
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...at the Council of Elrond to decide who will carry the ring. Almost unexplainably, Frodo steps up and says, "I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way." This is what it means to be a leader; understanding that though your life may be threatened, there is something more important at stake and sacrifices must be made. I feel that heroes are both born and made. Certain character traits such as courage, integrity, and passion are traits that an individual must possess before the call. The call to greatness, however, is the initial test of the hero. Often, the call is refused first, before it is embraced. Somehow, heroes always seem to know how to treat those who they come into contact with and how to react to challenges. They inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. They encourage us to take risks. But above all, they make the necessary sacrifices to
For example, Bilbo fits the role of the hero, because he sacrificed and helped all the characters along the journey. Stated in the amazing book, The Hobbit, the author wrote, “It was at this point that Bilbo stopped. Going on from there was the bravest thing he ever did. The tremendous thing that happened afterwards were are nothing compared to it. He fought the real battle in the tunnel alone, before he ever saw the vast danger that lay in wait” (Tolkien, J.R.R., The Hobbit, page #233). Bilbo had basically sacrificed himself, so all of the other characters and himself could get through the journey safely. Their hero, Bilbo became braver each and every day while he tried to help and support them. Written in the fantastic book, The Hobbit, the author has written, “‘I have no idea at the moment-if you mean about removing the treasure. That obviously depends entirely on Smaug. Getting rid of dragons is not all in my line, but I will do my best to think about it. Personally I have no hopes at all, and wish I was safe back at home’” (Tolkien, J.R.R., The Hobbit, page
Within J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Tolkien uses the character of Bilbo Baggins to reveal to the reader the constant struggle between heroic and anti-heroic qualities within Bilbo and ourselves.
Learning Module Seven - “Human Action” Myth in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The mold of the heroic template is evident throughout various types of media. Within movies, novels, and poems the hero’s journey is present. Of course, not every piece of literature or movie follows the cycle. However, the idea of the monomyth arose from Joseph Campbell. He wrote his own book, The Hero of a Thousand Faces, within his writing he describes that heroes’ follow the same basic procedure throughout their quest(s). This is where the idea of the hero monomyth arose. In Michael Lewis’s novel, The Blind Side, he portrays “The heroic monomyth.” The Blind Side consists of the basic characters and archetypes that accurately reflect the heroic template.
Through his burden of carrying the ring, Frodo is subject to many new perspectives that make him realize the importance of the group. Without the help of the others, especially Sam, Frodo would have not been able to accomplish the great task he was given. At first Frodo does not want Sam to come along as he feels it’s too dangerous to subject his friend to. This illustrates his perspective in the beginning of the story of being selfish and thinking that his journey can be taken alone, “It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam," said Frodo, "and I could not have borne that.""Not as certain as being left behind," said Sam."But I am going to Mordor.""I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.” He later learns through new perspectives that without the help of Sam he would not have gotten far in his journey. Frodo is foreign to the harsh reality he is thrust into. Not only is he away from home, he is also burdened with the task of keeping the ring safe. This burden becomes quite a strain on Frodo, “There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?” J.R.R Tolkien The Lord of the Rings. With the help of Sam and the realization that he is doing this for more than himself,
In every culture, there are stories that get past down from generation to generation (Campbell 1). Tales of knights who slay dragons and princesses who kissed frogs are a part of every culture. All over the world, stories share comment characteristic. Joseph Campbell introduces a theory based on this idea called the monomyth, the idea that stories all share the same narrative pattern, in the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Overall, this theory shows the same narrative pattern in stories throughout the world, which symbolically reveals all humans must tackle difficulties and overcome them many times throughout life (5). Specifically, Campbell’s hero’s journey is comprised of six steps, which, collectively
...; and if by life or death I can save you, I will,” (194). Aragorn, also known as Strider, accompanied the hobbits from the Prancing Pony Inn all the way to the Council of Elrond. Gandalf was also a guiding path for Frodo keeping him updated on the evils of the Ring. I CAN’T FIND A QUOTE. But even with all his guidance Frodo still feels temptation from this Ring of power. “A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. He hardly dared to breathe, and yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that he began slowly to move his hand. He felt that he had only to slip it on, and then he would be safe,” (83). Frodo Baggins with knowledge and guidance was able to make good choices throughout his journey to Mordor in the Fellowship of the Ring because of his knowledge of the Ring and the guidance that surrounded him.
The hero’s journey is essential to common literature. Sharon Black’s daughter, Sandra, said she “needs Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, and Harry Potter because she needs to be- lieve and to share her belief that the hero can emerge victorious, no matter how oppressive the uncharted darkness may be. …needs Joseph Campbell to tell her that the hero is indeed “God’s son”” (Black, 245)
George Washington. Aragorn. Beowulf. Captain America. Martin Luther. Han Solo. Wright Brothers. History, books, and movies are full of these types of characters. Whether they led our country to victory or saved a galaxy far far away, these people can be defined as heroes. A hero could be defined as someone who is cunning, shows justice and mercy, and has the courage to take on many challenges. In J. R. R. Tolkien’s renowned book The Hobbit, he fills the pages with many heroes. There is Thorin, King under the mountain, who has come to reclaim his home. There is Bard, a bowman, who kills the chiefest and greatest dragon Smaug. There are the mighty eagles, who rescue the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf moments before their death. And there is also
Harshraj Thakor Mr. O’Donnell English IV 18 September 2017 Beowulf Monomyth Essay Have you ever heard or told someone a story which consists of a brave hero and his adventures? Have you noticed a pattern or a specific order in most of these stories? A hero living in an ordinary world, he gets a call for an adventure, enemies on his way, death & rebirth and so on. An English writer, Joseph Campbell named this pattern the monomythic cycle. Such is a story of a brave man, Amarendra Baahubali, prince of Mahishmati.
The heroes of these films are driven by their emotions. What is not always shown is why the criminals begin to break the law; the reasons why a hero is a hero or a villain is a villain is similar in that they act based on their emotions. This relates Ravana to Rama in the story of The Ramayana. Ravana is introduced as a descendent from evil who participates in evil acts. In the case of Rama, multiple characters express that he is the mightiest and the most compassionate.
During the course of this World Literature class, several stories have been covered that accurately describe Joseph Campbell's mono-myth, or basic pattern found in narratives from every corner of the world. The Hero's Journey in it's entirety has seventeen stages or steps, but if boiled down can be described in three; the departure, the initiation, and the return (Monomyth Cycle). Each stage has several steps, but the cycle describes the hero starting in his initial state, encountering something to change him, and this his return as a changed person. To further explain this concept, there are a few stories covered in this class that can be used.
From the beginning of time, mythology has appeared to be one key method of understanding life’s confusions and battles. Within these myths lies a hero. From myth to myth and story to story, heroes experience what may be called a struggle or a journey, which lays down their plot line. Bearing tremendous strength, talent, and significant admiration, a hero holds what is precious to their audience, heroism. Over time however, no matter the hero, the hero’s role remains indistinguishable and identical to the position of every other hero.
Frodo’s adventure is not one of originality. It follows a cookie-cutter character through its journey to save that which is dear to him. In the case of Frodo he must protect the shire from devastation, and potentially all of Middle-Earth, by throwing the ring back into the fires of Mordor. This quest takes Frodo through a series of plot elements that famous Greek heroes have followed, his mission to rid Middle-Earth of ominous forces.
The epic hero’s journeys hold the hopes for future of ordinary people’s lives. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written in approximately 2000 B.C.E which is highly enriched with Ancient Mesopotamian religions, and The Ramayana was written by ancient Indians in around 1800 B.C.E. The stories were written in two different parts of the world. However, these two stories etched great evidence that show people from generation to generation that different cultures and religions are interconnected; they share ideas with each other. Both Gilgamesh and Rama traveled long journeys in these tales. These epic journeys played a role in the creation of different archetypes. We can clearly see that these two tales share similarities between these archetypes. Although