Qualities of an Archetypal Hero

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Heroes are seen all around us, in life, literature, and movies. Heroes like Superman, Captain America, and Thor are common, but have you ever thought of Luke Skywalker as an archetypal hero? Luke Skywalker is an aspiring young Jedi Knight, who is called to the quest of defeating the empire in the movie Star Wars IV: A New Hope, written and directed by George Lucas. Luke Skywalker demonstrates certain characteristics before, during, and after his quest that makes him an archetypal hero.

An archetypal hero must have specific characteristics before embarking on a quest. For example many heroes, experience some sort of traumatic event during childhood. In the movie Star Wars IV: A New Hope the archetypal hero Luke Skywalker experiences the loss of his parents at birth. This is a very traumatic experience that leads to a series events and behaviors. One of these behaviors could be Luke’s longing for adventure calming that “if there is a bright center of the universe,” he lives on the “planet farthest from”. Luke’s call to adventure is an archetypal hero characteristic within him. Altho...

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