TODAY’S ARCHETYPE
The Hero
The Hero might be the most common Jungian archetype in the world. I have no evidence to back this up, but judging by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic reception of Joseph Campbell’s Hero with a Thousand Faces and the popularity and success of superhero films, I believe it is a safe assumption.
”The hero’s main feat is to overcome the monster of darkness: it is the long-hoped-for and expected triumph of consciousness over the unconscious.” —Carl Jung, The Psychology of the Child Archetype
In this post, I will veer outside the confines of Jung and also discuss the “hero’s journey” as understood by Joseph Campbell.
Words and Traits to Describe the POSITIVE Hero
- Strong
- Brave, confronts danger
- Inner moral compass
- hopeful and faithful
- Defends and protects the weak, poor, etc.
- Loyal
- Avenging
- Possesses a drive to “right the wrongs”
- Strong sense of justice
- Personal responsibility
- Accountability
- Perfectionistic
- A possibly unhealable inner wound
- Naïve
- Foolish
- Inspires others to action
Words and Traits to Describe the NEGATIVE Hero
- Selfish
- Black-and-white thinking
- Superiority complex
- Rigidity
- Emotionally restricted
- Refuses help when a group approach is best
- Jealousy
- A possibly unhealable inner wound
- Naïve
- Foolish
THE HERO’S JOURNEY
A hero is defined more easily by the trajectory their life takes, and the circumstances they encounter. Additionally, success on the hero’s journey is what defines and ultimately crowns the hero as such.
“In myths the hero is the one who conquers the dragon, not the one who is devoured by it. And yet both have to deal with the same dragon. Also, he is no hero who never met the dragon, or who, if he once saw it, declared afterwards that he saw nothing. Equally, only one who has risked the fight with the dragon and is not overcome by it wins the hoard, the “treasure hard to attain.” He alone has a genuine claim to self-confidence, for he has faced the dark ground of his self and thereby has gained himself. … He has acquired the right to believe that he will be able to overcome all future threats by the same means.” —Carl Jung, The Conjunction
Stages of the Hero’s Journey:
Departure
An adventure is presented, and is often met with fear or reluctance.
Initiation
The hero crosses into the unknown. This unknown is often dangerous, exotic, and completely foreign to what they are familiar with.
The Road of Trials
The hero gains a supernatural ally. This ally imparts wisdom, objects, magic, weapons, or various other types of aid. The hero faces trials, not all of which may be successful.
The Innermost Cave
This is the place of the Greatest Trial. Sometimes this is within the hero’s own mind. Emerging victoriously from this cave, the hero experiences a rebirth.
Return and Reintegration
The hero returns to his native society and life, although he is forever transformed. (NOTE: Sometimes this includes an “unhealable wound”)
The True Purpose of the Hero
It is worth noting, that the hero’s journey does not occur solely in the outer, material world; rather, many aspects occur within the hero’s own psyche, and in his inner and spiritual worlds. The victory is not merely the act of slaying the dragon, but the journey undertaken which makes the act thereby possible.
The hero stands at the threshold between the known and the unknown, and chooses, bravely, the unknown. What he brings back to the world (or his world) is Triumph, Justice, and Hope.
Love and Light
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