Introduction
Using Joseph Campbell’s monomyth theory as a tool for story analysis helps to offer clarity. This astute hypothesis proposes that tales and myths worldwide have similar patterns and plotlines, therefore demystifying universal human experiences and archetypes. Our study focuses on the story of Rama and the Epic of Gilgamesh, utilizing the Monomyth theory streamlining, which extends beyond the basic themes and methodology. Furthermore, this article allows the analysis of tales that go beyond the traditional myths we cover in class, as long as these stories adhere to the same fundamental concepts as The Monomyth. The subsequent option enables substantial depth of study into the widely spread cultural views and the story styles emerging across media channels. Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth structure can be used to analyze the narrative structure of “The Lord of the Rings” by examining the character of Frodo Baggins as he moves through Departure, Trials and Victories, and The Return. The following sub-steps analyze how Frodo moves through The Monomyth: The Call to Adventure, The Road of Trials, The Apotheosis, and Freedom to Live.
Background and Theory
Joseph Campbell’s monomyth is a strong paradigm that reveals a universal discriminating pattern underlying myths and types of tales in practically every civilization. According to this hypothesis, these tales often go through three major stages: My mini-series focuses on Mulan’s departure from home and the challenges and wins that await her. The thematic framework of the hero’s journey includes themes such as The Call to Adventure, The Road of Trials, The Apotheosis, and The Journey Home, all of which will be thoroughly addressed (Bilbrey). Understanding the common patterns and casts reveals the Monomyth to be much more than a framework, delving into the realm of the human psyche and universal awareness while unconstrained by time and culture. Knowledge from this theoretical framework not only contributes to the investigation by helping us to understand ancient myths better but also depicts the dramatic character of the story themes in today’s media from literature, movies, and television (Wu and Wang 19).
Departure: The Call to Adventure
The Monomyth’s initial phase, Departure, commemorates the moment when the hero gets the Call to Adventure. This breakthrough occurrence marks the start of The Hero’s Journey, stemming from a key circumstance that causes the shift to occur instantly. It may be a prophesy, the hero’s self-crisis, or the onset of some peril, but whatever it is, the call to adventure pulls the hero out of the everyday world and into the process that produces the unknown. This period serves as a defining moment for the protagonist, who awakens with a strong yearning for significance and adventure (Beggan 10). The book introduces the champion with the Call to Adventure, which marks the beginning of the hero’s mission and gives them the option of conquering difficulties and experiences or being vanquished and failing to progress. This is a recurring concept in civilizations all across the globe, as well as in branded tales, that piques the hero’s attention, anticipates the obstacles, and ultimately sets the tone for what lies ahead.
Trials and Victories: The Road of Trials
The hero who has completed the Initiation undergoes many trials, including physical survival and psychological ordeals that test their strength, fortitude, and resolve in the Monomyth’s Trials and Victories phase, also known as the Road of Trials. Throughout this section of the journey, the protagonist overcomes several difficulties that arrive one after another (Bilbrey). Each of them included duties and opportunities for growth. The primary hero may endure a variety of scenarios, including physical attacks, ethical issues, and internal battles. The hard route he will travel is fraught with peril and uncertainty. Even though unlikely to succeed in the war, the hero appeals to their inner strength and faithful allies to fight against the chances of adversity (Bilbrey). Following the Road Towards Hardships, they experience successes and failures, but each victory solidifies their status as real champions of this battle. As a consequence of these hardships, the hero undergoes tremendous change and emerges stronger, wiser, and more resilient than before (Bilbrey). The notion of the road of trials almost everywhere in myths and tales reappears as a primary theme that relates to the human experience of striving and obtaining success in the face of adversity.
The Return: Freedom to Live
The Monomyth’s Return scenario, which stands for Freedom to Live, portrays the hero’s enlightenment and release at the end of the voyage. This last section emphasizes that the hero’s trip concludes with their return to the regular world, armed with the extra experiences gathered along the way. The character whose mission has been accomplished is now free of the trials of his path, and he has found new significance and confidence in his life, as well as inner peace, pleasure, and happiness. While this may seem to be a shift from one physical location to another, it is a reunion of their history and present, balanced between them (Wu and Wang 16). The hero has a greater sense of self-awareness and learns to live freely according to their nature, allowing them to be themselves while honoring their societal role. As a result, the main character’s journey of self-discovery serves as a manifestation of the everlasting antique plot of the hero’s triumphant return, popularizing the idea that no matter how impossible or complicated our lives become, we always have the power to correct our mistakes, start over, and realize that the human spirit is conquering. Through the tales and customs of diverse nations, the “Freedom to Live” topic is exposed as a basic longing shared by all, mirroring the belief that freedom is a right of every individual.
Conclusion
In conclusion, analyzing the “Lord of the Rings” novel through Joseph Campbell’s “Monomyth” theory indicates that tales are always relevant and important to every human existence. By examining Frodo’s journey and the hardships and triumphs he faces, one may get a better knowledge of human life and the fight of a heritage hero for self-discovery and rebirth. This kind of study, on the other hand, not only provides a deeper and more thorough comprehension of the tale but also demonstrates the Monomyth’s versatility in classifying and picking up on many interpretations of the narrative by reanalyzing the conspiracy theory by Campbell’s assertion, which says that the myth reflects a universal principle that functions independently of the social constructs of location and time.
Works Cited
Beggan, James K. “Monomyth or Monogamyth? Polyamory’s Conceptual Challenges to the Hero’s Journey.” Heroism Science: An Interdisciplinary Journal, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, https://doi.org/10.26736/hs.2020.02.03. Accessed 30 Oct. 2020.
Bilbrey, Hayden. “The Lord of the Rings & Dante’s Inferno: The Pilgrim’s Path—a Descent into Hell.” Online Midwinter Seminar (OMS), 6 Aug. 2023, dc.swosu.edu/oms/oms2/schedule/42/. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.
Wu, Meng-Hsuan, and Ya-huei Wang. “Using Mythic Structure of Campbell’s Monomyth to Analyze Spirited Away: A Heroine’s Journey.” Metathesis: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, vol. 6, no. 1, 23 May 2022, pp. 12–27, journal.untidar.ac.id/index.php/metathesis/article/view/138, https://doi.org/10.31002/metathesis.v6i1.138.
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