Making Of A Hero Tolkien s The Hobbit And The Monomyth

Making of a Hero: Tolkien’s The Hobbit and the Monomyth American mythologist, scholar, and author Joseph Campbell popularized the study of patterns within heroic narratives in his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Campbell’s theory, born from a lifelong study of heroic myths and narratives from around the world, is that the hero’s journey inevitably follows a common pattern of experience. By describing the universal stages (i.e., elements of the hero’s journey/story) that transcend temporal and cultural differences, Campbell’s theory manifests itself as the literary blueprint for the heroic narrative. Campbell’s theory of the narrative structure of the hero’s journey can be applied to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Tolkien’s†¦show more content†¦Some four, I should say by the sound† (Tolkien 10). Upon settling, the group then proceeded to discuss details of their pending journey. Gandalf volunteers Baggins to be the thief, one of the most lucrative positions wit hin the company, complimenting his advantageous proportions â€Å"Here is our little Bilbo Baggins, the burglar, the chosen and selected burglar. So now let s get on and make some plans (Tolkien 21). Baggins’s sudden call to adventure mimics the very definition of a hero’s call as mentioned in Campbell’s studies. Taking place in a familiar setting the protagonist, is then faced with a challenge such as a quest. Tolkien’s central figure is met at his home dwelling and is introduced to a world unfamiliar to his culture, a world of adventure. Baggins’s attempt to shy away from adventure embodied Campbell’s concept of archetypes in heroic narratives. Archetypes are often patterns of behavior shared amongst heroes, such as Baggins’s attempt to shy away from Gandalf’s adventurous offer. A refusal is often prompted out of fear. Being the timid Hobbit, Baggins was not too fond of the thought of the pending dangers lurking in the unknown. So, he invites Gandalf to tea instead: â€Å"Sorry! I do not want any adventures, thank you† (Tolkien 7). Introducing the second element of the hero’s journey, the â€Å"refusal of the call†, this often consists of the protagonist succumbing to his fears promptingShow MoreRelatedMythological Archetypes2077 Words   |  9 PagesMythological archetypes are the elements of which myths develop. A Scheme according to which a model of myth is collected from an archetypal constructor is universal and is called monomyth.(reference) But as actors change in different mythological histories, circumstances, then the variety of details of narration became very bright and can be seen instantly, and the similarity of the canvas remains unnoticed. According to Jung, the archetypes evolved in the course of evolution like internal organs