Creating the Myth

Theories behind the most timeless stories

Creating the Myth

“Myths are the common stories at the root of our universal existence”

“A myth is a story that is more than true”

“The myth is the ‘story beneath the story’”

Linda Seger- scriptwriter

Jung & Archetypes• Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung

(1875-1961) named these Mythic Elements . . .

• ARCHETYPES – the building blocks not only of the

unconscious mind, but of a collective unconscious.

– everyone is born with the same basic subconscious model of what a "hero" or a "mentor" or a "quest" is,

Jugian’s ArchetypesSelf- the regulating center of the psyche and facilitator of

individuationThe Shadow- the opposite of the ego image, often

containing qualities that the ego does not identify with but possesses nonetheless

The Anima- the feminine image in a man's psycheThe Animus- the masculine image in a woman's psycheThe Persona- how we present to the world (acts like a

mask)

Other ArchetypesThe Wise Old Man/Sage: Gandalf/ Obi wan The Good Mother: Galadriel/ Leia The Shadow Figure: Saruman/ Darth Vader The Animal/Beast: Ring Wraiths/ Stormtroopers The Trickster: Gollum/The Child: Hobbits/ Droids/ EwoksThe Hero: Aragorn/ LukeThe Devil or Satan: Sauron/ Emperor PalpatineThe Mentor: Sam/ Yoda

Joseph Campbell:Hero with a Thousand FacesIn 1949, Joseph Campbell began a revolution in anthropology with his book The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Rhythm of plot/character interaction transformation

Joseph Campbell and HeroesCampbell:

All stories are fundamentally the same story, which he named the "Hero's Journey," or

the "monomyth."

The Modern Myth – Star Wars

George Lucas (a student of both literature and anthropology) used these archetypes and myths to form a central story around his ever expanding Star Wars universe.

Campbell and MythJoseph Campbell breaks the

Hero’s Journey down into three distinct phases:

1. Departure2. Initiation3. Return

The Hero MythAct One: The departure

1. The hero is ordinary.

2. Something new is introduced intothe hero’s life: a problem, a tragedy, or a catalyst

3. The hero is reluctant.

4. The hero receives help: a mentor

Second Act: The Initiation5. The hero transforms or the adventure transforms from

the ordinary to the extraordinary: the adventure begins.

First turning point

6. The hero undergoes numerous tests and obstacles.

7. Often the hero hits rock-bottom.Defeat/death seems imminent.

Second turning point. Black Moment RE-BIRTH

Third Act: The Return8. The hero is in charge, but the journey is not yet

complete.

9. The road back often involves a chase scene and/or the final obstacles. “he must return to renew

the mundane world” “… take what he has learned

and integrate it into his daily life”.

Third Act: The Return8. The hero is transformed. S/he leads new life. Often

involves a return to the homeland. The hero assumeshis/her rightful place in society.

Layered Heroism:Transformations

1. Departurea) The call to adventureb) Refusal of the callc) Supernatural aidd) Crossing the first thresholde) The belly of the whale

Campbell Star Warsa) The call to

adventureb) Refusal of the call

c) Supernatural aid

d) Crossing the first threshold

e) The belly of the whale

a) Princess Leia's messageb) Must help with the harvestc) Obi-wan rescues Luke from sandpeopled) Escaping Tatooinee) Trash compactor

2. Initiationa) The road of trialsb) The meeting with the goddessc) Temptation away from the true pathd) Atonement with the Fathere) Apotheosis (becoming god-like)f) The ultimate boon

Campbell Star Warsa) The road of trialsb) The meeting with the goddessc) Temptation away from the true pathd) Atonement with the Fathere) Apotheosis (becoming god-like)f) The ultimate boon

a)Lightsabre practice

b) Princess Leia

c) Luke is tempted by the Dark Sided) Darth and Luke reconcilee) Luke becomes a Jedi

f)Death Star destroyed

3. The Returna) Refusal of the returnb) The magic flightc) Rescue from withoutd) Crossing the return thresholde) Master of the two worldsf) Freedom to live

Campbell Star Warsa) Refusal of the returnb) The magic flightc) Rescue from withoutd) Crossing the return thresholde) Master of the two worldsf) Freedom to live

a) "Luke, come on!" Luke wants to stay to avenge Obi-Wan

b) Millennium Falconc) Han saves Luke from

Darthd) Millennium Falcon

destroys pursuing TIE fighters

e) Victory ceremonyf) Rebellion is

victorious over Empire

The Task MythA task must be completed in order to win other rewards.

Troy

The Big Lebowski

The Italian Job

Kill Bill

Others?

The Treasure Myth

A search for physical treasure which leads to spiritual re-birth.

The Hobbit

Pirates of the Caribbean

Harry Potter: The Philosopher’s Stone

Ocean’s 12

Others?

The Healing Myth

The hero is “broken” and must leave home to become whole again.

A psychological need for rejuvenation and balance Being “broken” can take several forms. It can be

physical, emotional, or psychological. Witness The Last Samurai Others?

The Healing Myth Act 1: Injury and Escape

Exile to receive healing Act 2: Learning/Healing

Experiencing/ adopting new live/skills Act 3: Transformation

Accepting the new life/situation

The Combination MythElements of several myths are combined in one story

Ghostbusters: Pandora’s box + Hero story

Others?

The Persona MythAdopting another personality in order to understand the self.

Tootsie: Disguise Gimmick + Healing Myth

Freaky Friday

Others?

Myths and ‘stories’• Myths add depth to regular ‘action’

stories• Tap into cultural undercurents• Key: heroic transformation