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Star Wars and The Hero Pattern. The Hero Packet Table of Contents. Some Definitions of "Hero" Lord Raglan's Hero Pattern The Hero Pattern applied to Women in Myth, History, and Literature The Hero Quest Stages in the Heroic Quest Variations on the Theme of the Heroic Quest Other Hero Patterns .
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The Hero PacketTable of Contents Some Definitions of "Hero"Lord Raglan's Hero PatternThe Hero Pattern applied to Women in Myth, History, and LiteratureThe Hero QuestStages in the Heroic QuestVariations on the Theme of the Heroic QuestOther Hero Patterns Young boy portrayed as Hercules choking the snakesMarble cm 64 inv. MC0247Second half of 2nd century AD Albani Collection
Lord Raglan’s Hero Pattern Major General Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, Lord Raglan, commander of the combined expedition to the Crimea. Portrait by Roger Fenton, ca. 1855Library of Congress
Heracles and the Hero Pattern His mother, Alcmene, is (1) a royal virgin, and his father is (2) King Amphitryon, who is (3) her first cousin. He is reputed to be (5) the son of Zeus, who (4) visited Alcmene in the guise of Amphitryon. At his birth (6) Hera tries to kill him. Heracles = Glory of Hera Heracles = Hercules
Heracles and the Hero Pattern On reaching adulthood he (11) performs feats and fine victories, after which he (10) proceeds to Calydon, where he (12) marries the king's daughter, and (13) becomes ruler. He remains there (14) quietly for some years, after which an accidental manslaughter compels him (17) to flee from the country. He disappears (18) from a funeral pyre (19) on the top of Mt. Oeta. His sons (20) do not succeed him. His body (21) is not found, and (22) he is worshipped in temples. 17 points
Zeus and the Hero Pattern Cronus, the Father of Zeus. [Known as Saturn to the Romans.] Cronus, knowing that one of his children would grow greater than he, swallowed all of them at birth. His queen, the Goddess Rhea, tricked him, by handing him a stone wrapped in swaddling clothes to swallow. The infant Zeus she secreted. Zeus grew to manhood and, as prophesied, made war on his father and overthrew him, casting him down into the depths of Tartarus.
Twin Births • Heracles and Iphicles • Romulus and Remus • Luke and Leia Skywalker
Romulus and Remus Lodovico Carracci, c.1590 Fresco Bologna
Pe Peter Paul Reubens 1515-1516 Pinacoteca Capitolina Rome
How Many Points Does Luke Skywalker Fit? • Hero's mother is a royal virgin; • His father is a king, and • Often a near relative of his mother, but • The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and • He is also reputed to be the son of a god. • At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, • but he is spirited away, and • Reared by foster -parents in a far country. • We are told nothing of his childhood, but • On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom. • After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast, • He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and • And becomes king. • For a time he reigns uneventfully and • Prescribes laws, • but later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and • Is driven from the throne and city, after which • He meets with a mysterious death, • Often at the top of a hill, • His children, if any do not succeed him. • His body is not buried, but nevertheless • He has one or more holy sepulchres.
Heroic Birth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKFAk7yWqi4
How Many Points Does Anakin Fit? • Hero's mother is a royal virgin; • His father is a king, and • Often a near relative of his mother, but • The circumstances of his conception are unusual, and • He is also reputed to be the son of a god. • At birth an attempt is made, usually by his father or his maternal grand father to kill him, • but he is spirited away, and • Reared by foster -parents in a far country. • We are told nothing of his childhood, but • On reaching manhood he returns or goes to his future Kingdom. • After a victory over the king and/or a giant, dragon, or wild beast, • He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor and • And becomes king. • For a time he reigns uneventfully and • Prescribes laws, • but later he loses favor with the gods and/or his subjects, and • Is driven from the throne and city, after which • He meets with a mysterious death, • Often at the top of a hill, • His children, if any do not succeed him. • His body is not buried, but nevertheless • He has one or more holy sepulchres.