Introduction
Myth, Heroic Quest, Magical Realism, Fairy Tale, and to add with, the Fantasy genre are all fields that are connected to one another. Myth is a configuration and an archetype meaning to say it is a structure that is, theoretically speaking, shared in various unconsciousness and symbolism regardless of time and culture. In Jung’s words, myth is collective mind. It is not strange to find creation myths complimenting one culture from another and most particularly myths like the Flood myth wherein Noah’s ark compliments the story of the Gilgamesh flood myth. The Heroic Quest is a more specific type of this mythical archetype founded by Joseph Campbell. The Heroic Quest has been employed in several manners from Ancient Greek’s Hercules to perhaps Modern Popular Culture heroes such as Luke Skywalker of the Star Wars fame, Harry Potter or taking it some years back, Frodo of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. The Heroic Quest involved a hero (usually a man) in a journey who possesses extraordinary talents in a quest who will have to face trials in order to get past. Fairy tale is also a form of the mythical archetype which involves a story once upon a time most likely including magical and extraordinary events. Perhaps one very common example is the Cinderella fairytale archetype shared not only in English Literature but also Chinese Literature with Yeh-Hsieh. Magical Realism, to configure in this comparison, is perhaps more aptly a mythical archetype employed in the realm of reality or in the Literature sense, fiction. Magical Realism, it must be stressed, is a style of writing most likely invented by Latin American fictionists foremost of which is Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his novel 100 Years of Solitude. It is set in a fictional town containing similarities from historical reality mixed with mythical influences. The myth appears here as integrated to be a part of historical reality and not intended as an outright expression of magical phenomena. Readers are supposed to take the birth of a child with a pig’s tail as historical fact despite it having some magical circumstance. There is a blurring of what is fact and fiction.
This particular essay would compare two subjects already mentioned in the above introduction which would be two sagas employing the Heroic Quest in film: George Lucas’ Star Wars series and the Peter Jackson directed Lord of the Rings based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels.
Describe your two subjects and tell whether each is an example of myth, quest, magical realism, fairy tale, etc.
The two subjects are examples of the Heroic Quest (and in this manner they employ mythical elements). Both film sagas portray the quests of chosen ones and the eternal battle of good and evil. These are usually based in the Christian elements of a savior undergoing arduous tasks and sufferings in achieving his goal (as heroes are often male).
How are the two subjects the same, or similar?
Both film sagas present elements in the Heroic Quest that have been archetypal in structure and used in other stories. The similarities only prove how the stories proceed in a structure that is determined by myth.
One similarity is the presence of the wise sage, mentor or advisor in the characters Obi-wan Kenobi (in Star Wars) and Gandalf (in Lord of the Rings). Notable also are the weapons employed and the colors they appeared in wherein the red sword or lightsaber is always the villain’s weapon and where the heroes’ swords and lightsabers are blue clearly depicting mythical symbolism. There is the presence of villains who thwart heroes from their paths such as Star Wars’ Darth Vader and the Lord of the Rings’ Witch King. There is also the presence of the prophets and the seers by characters Yoda (in Star Wars) and Galadriel (in Lord of the Rings). The heroes are accompanied by a band of allies who help them in their pursuit to defeat evil. Star Wars have allies such as Leia, Chewbacca, Han Solo while Lord of the Rings has Sam, Aragon and Legolas.
How are the two subjects different?
The milieus in which the two films sagas function in are contrasting. Lord of the Rings takes place in a fictional world called Middle-Earth which is a semblance of planet Earth. Star Wars is considered a Space drama, the milieu of which takes place “in a galaxy far away”. Star Wars is also futuristic in design with high technology machineries clearly used in warfare just by the enemy base called the Death Star alone. Lord of the Rings in this regard would be seen as more primitive. The premise of Star Wars is to destroy the Empire while the Lord of the Rings seeks to destroy the Ring, which is a more indirect and non-confrontational attempt to defeat evil as Lord of the Rings seek to defeat Power first. Star Wars is more outright in its goal to defeat its villains.
Why are the two subjects important? Why do they matter?
These film sagas depict the eternal struggle against good and evil and how the good eventually wins in the end no matter how desperate the situation. These film sagas attempt to mirror the human experience with human virtues and attitudes especially dealing with the concept of Power. They matter because they have something valuable to teach the audience and promote a sense of hope, peace and justice. They are vehicles of morality reminding reality of the perils of evil.
What do the characters and their story have to teach us?
Other than serving to entertain the masses, the stories and the characters primarily teach how good prevails in the end no matter how dire the situation. It also promotes virtues and unity that are aptly rewarded. The films also represent different types of people and characters inherent in the world today. Each individual is a hero in their own right with their own share of adversities in their journey to life. These film sagas inspire and touch people to proceed in their quests by making the right decisions which would move towards the goodness of mankind rather those that would harm and endanger them. Clearly they teach lessons and are warnings in their own. The film sagas also promote a sense of humanity above all and how this humanity is shared and lived with others in communion. Power may also be tools of goodness if performed in the right manner and they would consequently be evil if in the wrong corrupted hands.
Conclusion
This comparison reveals not only how myth is truly shared collectively and unconsciously. Every story, narrative and text are seemingly connected to a grand narrative which goes to show how each human is somewhat linked towards the good and the moral. The essay also featured how the film sagas embody age old myths and how it can be refashioned and repackaged but yet be similar in essence. They are reflections of the human history past, present, and future. They are classics in their own right and even though they had been created decades ago they will continue to resonate in their appeal in the years to come. That is the impact and magic of myth.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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