1. The Archetypal Hero

2. Jung and Campbell • Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell developed the idea of the archetype. • Archetype: A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art, and dreams of cultures around the world Joseph Campbell Carl Jung

3. Archetypal Hero Traits • Unusual Circumstances of Birth • Leaves Family and Lives With Others • Traumatic Event Leads to Quest • Special Weapon • Supernatural Help • Proves Himself on Quest • Journey and Unhealable Wound • Atonement With Father • Spiritual Apotheosis

4. Unusual Birth • Often in danger or born into royalty Examples? • Simba born a prince

5. Leaves Family • Raised away from his people • Examples? • Simba w/ Timon and Pumba

6. Traumatic Event • A significant and unexpected, often disturbing event changes the hero’s life forever. • Examples? • Mufasa’s death

7. Special Weapon • Only the hero can wield this weapon. • Examples? • Simba’s ... Claws, strategy, knowledge from his father

8. Supernatural Help • Hero often has spiritual guidance • Examples? • Simba sees Mufasa in the sky • Rafiki helps him

9. Proves Himself • Hero performs feats while on Quest • Examples? • Simba realizes that Scar must be removed and Simba is the only one that can do it. He assumes his proper role as the hero and saves the land from the evil Scar.

10. Journey & Unhealable Wound • Hero descends into a hell-like area and suffers severe wounding from encounter w/ evil • Symbolically goes where normal humans can’t and finds truth about self • Simba’s descent into “hell” is combined with his defeat of Scar and the hyenas. Simba heals his unhealable wound (when his courage failed him and his tribe will always haunt him).

11. Atonement With Father • Hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero • Examples? • The spirit of Mufasa, Simba’s father, tells Simba to be strong and assume his place on the throne. Simba, who has been reluctant up to this point to return to the kingdom, realizes he has little choice but to avenge his father’s murder.

12. Apotheosis • Hero is rewarded at the end of his quest and becomes legendary • Examples? • Simba restores the land and becomes the ruler.